Department of Art and Drama
Associate of Art Degrees:
Del Mar College is also an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design and the National Association of Schools of Theatre.
The Associate in Arts degree, with a specialization in either art education or studio art, is intended to prepare the student for continuing study toward a baccalaureate degree in art. As a charter member of the Texas Association of Schools of Art (TASA), Del Mar College subscribes to the transfer curriculum developed by TASA and approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
The Department of Art and Drama provides students with opportunities for lifelong learning and personal enrichment based on a fine arts curriculum. The art and drama curriculum encourages the development of aesthetic awareness and opportunities to increase intellectual capacities.
Department of Art and Drama activities, in cooperation with area school districts, include a dual credit program with the Corpus Christi Independent School District.
Exhibition Activities
A continuous art exhibition schedule is maintained from July through May. These exhibitions provide students and the public opportunities for cultural development and personal enrichment. Exhibitions include those of local art organizations, one-person and group shows by important local and regional artists, art faculty and student artists.
The 1,750 square foot Joseph A. Cain Memorial Art Gallery is the main exhibition space for the Department of Art and Drama. Student exhibitions are also staged in the hallway galleries in the Fine Arts Building. The highlight of the exhibition year is the annual National Drawing and Small Sculpture Show in the Joseph A. Cain Memorial Art Gallery. Judged by a nationally known artist, the exhibit attracts entries from all over the country.
Courses of Study
A student who plans to obtain a higher degree in the art field should enroll in ARTS 1303, 1304, 1311, 1312, 1316, and 1317. Art majors enrolled in studio art courses are expected to spend one additional clock hour per week in art production for each semester hour of enrollment. Variations require the approval of the chairperson of the department. The student should consult an advisor concerning senior college requirements.
Drama Program Overview
The Del Mar Drama Program offers an Associate of Arts in Drama degree. Led by a professional faculty, the program strives to teach the art and craft of theatre through productions and live entertainment events in several different performance venues including the recently opened Sue Sellors Finley Theatre. The program offers five to seven productions annually. Drama students, through their Drama faculty advisor, can cater their experience by emphasizing in one of three program areas: Performance, Design and Technology, or General Education. The Drama Program offers a full range of lower division courses, from several levels of acting, movement, and voice, to scenery, costume, and makeup design and technology, and new courses including stage lighting, stage rigging and special effects. It is the goal of the Drama Program to provide a basic, general theatre education, preparing students for transfer to a four-year degree-granting institution, or entry-level position in the industry.