KCC offers new Associate in Fine Arts degrees
BATTLE CREEK — Kellogg Community College is offering two new Associate in Fine Arts degrees this fall, designed to enhance transfer and professional development opportunities for students in the arts.
The new degrees, one in Music and the other in Visual Arts, each require 60 credits. This includes up to 30 specialized credits in the arts, alongside 30 general education credits that fulfill the Michigan Transfer Agreement, according to a community announcement.
These programs are tailored for students aiming to transfer into Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Fine Arts programs at four-year institutions, as well as those looking to develop their portfolios.
“The establishment of these new Associate in Fine Arts degrees enhances the stature of the institution and will provide KCC arts students with a more robust educational foundation, expanded professional opportunities and personal growth in the arts,” Barbara Sudeikis, chair of Arts and Communication at KCC, said. “With guidance from professional arts faculty, these new degrees will support student success as they explore their artistic talents and prepare for a wide range of future possibilities in their chosen fields.”
The music degree program will offer specializations in ensemble performance, instrumental music, music theory, piano and vocal performance. It aims to provide a comprehensive foundation in music, covering essential performance, studio and foundational courses.
Gerald Case-Blanchard, director of Vocal Arts and Music Program Area Coordinator, highlighted the diverse course options available to students.
“In addition to the numerous opportunities for academic and technical studies in a variety of fields, we also offer opportunities for students desiring to enhance their current levels of musicianship through personal enrichment and self-exploration courses,” Case-Blanchard said. “For those interested in advancing their musical goals, we provide them with a host of courses that support their desired outcome.”
The Visual Arts degree program offers specializations in 3D art, animation, ceramics, digital art, drawing and illustration, traditional fine arts, graphic design, photography and videography. Students can choose to focus on one area or explore multiple mediums.
Heather Stratton, a KCC art professor, emphasized the program’s focus on foundational knowledge and application.
“The program allows students to explore a wide range of disciplines and materials, from traditional to new media,” Stratton said. “Whether students choose to diversify their skills across multiple areas or concentrate more deeply on specific disciplines, the curriculum is designed to support artistic growth and understanding while preparing students for success in the field of art and design or transfer.”
These new degrees join a growing list of professional arts credentials at KCC, which also includes Associate of Applied Science degrees in Graphic Design and Photography and Multimedia, as well as certificates in these areas. The college also offers a general Associate in Arts transfer degree with opportunities to specialize in various arts disciplines.
KCC students have numerous opportunities for portfolio development and arts experiences outside the classroom. These include instrumental, band, choral, ensemble and theatre performance opportunities, publishing opportunities in The Bruin News student newspaper and Mosaic student art and literary journal, art exhibition opportunities via the monthly KCC Postcard Project and Annual Student Art Exhibition, professional arts internships and more. Students also can join several arts-related registered student organizations on campus.
For more information about the new AFA degrees or arts programming at KCC, go to kellogg.edu/afa.
This story was created by Janis Reeser, [email protected], with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at https://cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct/.
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