Center for Visual Art (CVA Gallery)
Diverse, high-quality art experiences that advance the global urban dialogue.
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Program Options
Degrees, Majors, Minors, & More
The Department of Art offers Bachelor's degrees, minors, and a teaching licensure, as well as coursework and special programs.
DigiFabLab
The Art Digital Fabrication Lab is for the creative research of students currently enrolled in Art Department courses at MSU Denver.
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Art Facilities at MSU Denver
Galleries, Studios, Classrooms and Labs in the Department of Art
Check out MSU Denver Art Facilities
Scholarships
Department of Art Scholarships & Fellowships
Apply to receive funds specifically designated for Department of Art majors at MSU Denver. Contact the Department of Art office at 303-615-0300 with any questions.
Our generous donors provide several different scholarships to Department of Art students. Each of the scholarships has unique criteria for eligibility. Applications are available online and must be submitted by the given deadline.
For each of the scholarships, applicants must submit materials addressing the applicant’s background and qualifications for receiving the scholarship, such as a portfolio, a description of the applicant’s career plans, or a statement specifically addressing the eligibility criteria for that particular scholarship. Recipients of the scholarships are determined by a scholarship committee made up of Department of Art faculty and in some cases, the donor.
Below are the specific criteria for each of the scholarships. Please note, not every scholarship is available every year; the application will list the available scholarships for any given year. Eligibility requirements for each scholarship must be met at the time of application, as well as at the time of disbursement.
Deadline: Wednesday April 19, 2023
Purpose:
The Fund is established to provide scholarships to students majoring in Art.
This scholarship celebrates the life of talented artist and Metropolitan State University of Denver graduate, Sarah Steck. Sarah graduated in May 2021 with a B.F.A. in Communication Design after transferring to MSU Denver from Red Rocks Community College in 2015. She was an artist and designer who loved punk rock, had a lot of strength of character, and was kind-hearted. She is consistently described by those who had her in class as a positive presence. The donors to this award hope this scholarship will help other students like Sarah realize their passion for art and design through education.
Criteria:
- Meet the University’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements and not be in default or owe any refund/repayment of federal, state, or institutional aid.
- Have financial need as determined by FAFSA/CASFA and the University’s Office Financial Aid and Scholarships.
- Have a declared major in Art.
- Be enrolled full-time (12+ credit hours).
- Be an undergraduate.
- Have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.
Preference is for the scholarship award to be split evenly between two students per academic year. The scholarship is open to ASSET/DACA and other undocumented students. The scholarship is not renewable.
To apply:
- Click the “Apply Here” button on the MSU Denver General Scholarship Application page.
- You will be automatically considered based on your completed General Application.
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Deadline: Sunday October 15, 2023
Scholarship Description:
The Lawrence B. Taishoff Communication Design Scholarship is established to provide scholarships to students pursuing the BFA in Communication Design degree so they have additional financial resources to purchase computer equipment and/or software suitable for meeting the demands of the Communication Design degree.
Technologies recommended through this scholarship award are managed by the Communication Design program and this scholarship. See Professor Lisa M. Abendroth for details.
About Larry Taishoff:
Lawrence (Larry) B. Taishoff graduated from Duke University in 1955 and served in U.S. Army’s 101st Airborne Division as a paratrooper. He was stationed in Germany before he joined Broadcasting Magazine in 1958. He quickly gravitated to the business side of the publication and soon took over its publishing operations. He was accredited as a White House correspondent and was a member of the White House Press Association. For many years he was co-author of the radio and television segment of the Encyclopedia Britannica Book of the Year. He was a trustee of the Washington Journalism Center and a member of the National Press Foundation.
After his father’s death in 1982 Lawrence B. Taishoff endowed an award in his father’s honor, presented annually at the NPF dinner. His interest in the Broadcast Pioneers organization led eventually to a major philanthropy, supporting the ever-enlarging Library of American Broadcasting, now located at the University of Maryland in College Park.
Lawrence B. Taishoff’s understanding of Communication Design shaped Broadcasting Magazine for 40 yrs. One example of this was the logo he created of a lightning bolt. The symbol of a bolt within a red rectangle was synonymous with the magazine itself. Everything from the granite carving atop the DeSales Street office to the pen sitting on his desk had that logo on it. As a result, this made it recognizable throughout the industry, and along with superior journalism, was a key factor to the publication’s success.
We hope the Communication Design Scholarship will help students keep pace with technological changes and methods in this field, along with providing the tools necessary to achieve this goal.
Scholarship Process:
Below is the direct link to the Spring 2023 award:
https://msudenver.academicworks.com/opportunities/5634
The link below is for students who haven’t yet completed a general application and need to do that first. After completing the general application, the Lawrence B. Taishoff Communication Design Scholarship will appear on the next screen as a “recommended opportunity” for application. Click “Apply.”
https://www.msudenver.edu/financial-aid/scholarships/
Scholarship Criteria:
The scholarship recipient shall meet the following criteria:
- Be meeting MSU Denver’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements and cannot be in default or owe any refund/repayment of federal, state or institutional aid
- Have financial need as determined by FAFSA, or DAIA, and the University’s Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships
- Be enrolled in at least 12 credit hours during the semester the scholarship is received (Note: In this cycle, scholarship funds will be distributed during the Spring 2023 semester)
- Submit a degree progression report
- Submit a CDES BFA portfolio application and be pursuing a BFA in Communication Design*
- Have completed at least 30 credit hours, and have a minimum of one academic year (any combination of fall and spring semesters) of coursework left in Communication Design prior to graduation (Note: Remaining academic year should be calculated between the semester of scholarship application and the semester of scholarship receipt)
- Have a cumulative ART Departmental GPA, for their intended CDES BFA major, of 3.0 or greater as identified by the degree progression report (generated as a “what-if” report)
- Submit an essay of 500 – 1,000 words addressing the following: How or why did you become interested in pursuing the BFA in Communication Design degree and what do you intend to accomplish in this discipline as a result? Additionally, five samples of design work produced in Communication Design courses shall be included in the application with a brief description of each project and/or its intended goals
See online application for details and eligibility requirements. Within the limits of the scholarship amount, the actual award is contingent upon a student account with no balance due—the scholarship award will pay toward any balance due on the student account first.
* NOTE: Applicants need only to have submitted a portfolio application for the BFA in Communication Design to be eligible for this scholarship. Applicants need not to have been accepted into the BFA in Communication Design at the time of their scholarship application.
Scholarship Questions:
Lisa M. Abendroth, Professor, Communication Design Program, Department of Art, Taishoff Scholarship Committee Chair: [email protected]
Jacob Beaudrie, Financial Aid Office: [email protected]
Deadline: TBA
About:
The purpose of the Endowment for Careers in the Arts is to assist students in their goal to have a career in the arts. This scholarship is intended for students of the Department of Art at MSU Denver.
Requirements and Qualifications:
- Meet MSU Denver’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements and not be in default or owe any refund/repayment of federal, state or institutional aid.
- Have a declared major in the Department of Art at Metropolitan State University of Denver.
- Have and maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of at least 3.0.
- Be taking at least 6 credit hours during the semester(s) the scholarship is received.
To Apply:
- Click the “Apply Here” button on the MSU Denver General Scholarship Application page.
- Majors in the Art Department are automatically considered for the “Careers in the Arts Scholarship” with the General Application!
- Complete your FAFSA. Financial need is not required but may be considered in selection.
Deadline: TBA
Requirements and Qualifications:
In order to be qualified you must:
- Meet MSU Denver’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements and not be in default or owe any refund/repayment of federal, state or institutional aid.
- Be a student at Metropolitan State University of Denver and be registered (or intend to register) for an Art History study abroad program.
- Have a declared major in the Department of Art or a minor in the Art Department with a major in a closely related field.
- Have financial need as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the MSU Denver Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships.
- Write an essay in which you answer the prompt: “How will this specific study abroad experience contribute to your own artistic work and/or professional aspirations for a career in the visual arts?”
To apply:
- Click the “Apply Here” button on the MSU Denver General Scholarship Application page.
- Under scholarships, search for the Robert B. Daniels Memorial Endowed Scholarship and complete the required essay.
- Complete your FAFSA.
Student Clubs & Organizations
The 965 Project Gallery is a student-led space at the Center for Visual Art that provides premiere professional development opportunities to students interested in fine art curation and arts administration.
Mission Statement: To challenge MSU Denver students to conceptualize and execute bold, contemporary art exhibitions in conjunction with engaging, provocative programming for students and community alike.
Contact [email protected] to learn more.
An all-inclusive organization, the Art Guild coordinates events and actively encourages involvement in the arts from the MSU Denver community and beyond. We also promote awareness, support, and provide a communication link between all MSU Denver art clubs.
The Art Guild is currently on hiatus. If you’re interested in restarting the club please reach out to Coordinator Natascha Seideneck.
“The MSU Dirt Burners” (student organization) is actively involved in sharing ceramics with the MSU Denver community. We fund visiting artist programs, frequently travel to the annual conference of the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts and have sales of student made ceramics several times a year. This club is for everyone and is open to new activities depending on the vision of our members!
Learn more about Ceramics
The Jewelry Collective is seeking members interested in creating work that adorns the body. We are a collective that holds space for peers to problem-solve, practice/refine jewelry and metalsmithing skills, and produce work. We are focused on creating and collaborating with community partners to showcase student work.
If you are interested in joining our collective please fill out the application form. We ask that those who apply are able to actively commit to attending meetings and intentionally engage as collective members.
Learn more about Jewelry Design/Metalsmithing
The Metropolitan State University of Denver Art Ed Club provides future art educators the opportunity to pursue professional development and volunteer opportunities. As advocates for visual arts education members of the art education club participate in regional conferences, partnerships with area schools and community out-reach work.
Future Leaders of Design (FLoD) is MSU Denver’s student chapter of the AIGA dedicated to connecting communication design students with design community at large through events and discussions.
Future Leaders of Design Facebook page: Facebook for Future Leaders of Design
American Institute of Graphic Arts: http://www.aiga.org
Learn more about the BFA in Communication Design
Vicious Ink is associated with the professional organizations Mid America Print Council, Southern Graphics Council, and the American Print Alliance. The club brings in visiting artists, sponsors exhibition and portfolio exchanges with other universities, attends national and regional conferences, hosts print sales, and involve themselves with any activity to promote printmaking and learn to function within the profession.
http://www.midamericaprintcouncil.org/
http://
www.southerngraphics.org/
http://www.printalliance.org/
Learn more about Printmaking
Please send new or changed art club and organization information or stories about your events and happenings to [email protected], and it will be updated and shared here and through social media.
Job Opportunities
Now Hiring!
Work-study Jobs within the Art Department
Multiple positions open in each category:
- Art Department Office Assistant
- Art Department Social Media Assistant
- Center for Visual Art Gallery Assistant
- Communication Design Studio Assistant
- Communication Design Lab Monitor
- Gallery 199 Assistant
- Materials Collection Assistant
- Research Assistant (for Art History)
- Studio Monitors:
- Ceramics
- Digital Fabrication Lab Monitor (in DigiFab Lab)
- Drawing
- Foundations
- Jewelry
- Painting
- Photography
- Printmaking
- Sculpture
Apply today!
How to Apply for Student Jobs at the University
To view all open positions at MSU Denver, view new job postings in the MSU Denver Workday Career Site.
Contact the Department of Art office at 303-615-0300 with any questions.
About Student Employment
This Student Employment Portal helps guide current & potential students through the Student Employment Program.
Once you’ve applied and got the job, start here with the Getting Started Guide for Student Employment.
View instructions for digitally signing documents.
Visit MSU Denver Human Resources for University policies and forms.
Visit the MSU Denver Classroom to Career Hub for additional career information, including Virtual Services and Resources.
Visit the MSU Denver Workday Career Site for all University openings including student work-study, student hourly, Faculty, and Administrative jobs including Classified positions.
Faculty and Administrator Jobs at the University
Visit the MSU Denver Workday Career Site for all University openings including student work-study, student hourly, Faculty, and Administrative jobs including Classified positions.
Visiting Artist, Scholar & Designer Program
The Visiting Artist, Scholar & Designer Program fosters participation and collaboration within the University and with the MSU Denver community.
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Department of Art
Office Location:
Auraria Campus Arts Building
First Floor, Suite 187
Phone: 303-615-0300
Email: [email protected]
Mailing Address:
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Department of Art
Campus Box 59
P.O. Box 173362
Denver, CO 80217-3362
Shipping Address:
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Department of Art
1201 5th Street
Denver, CO 80204