Department of ArtAbout Us
The Department of Art at ODU
The Art Department at ODU empowers students to become critical visual thinkers through creative practice and professional preparation in a diverse and collaborative environment.
The Art Department:
- encourages community engagement
- facilitates professional experience
- provides state of the art facilities
- inspires creative excellence
Students who attend the Art Department are:
- open to new ideas
- passionate about learning
- creative and inquisitive
- resilient and motivated to achieve their individual, artistic and career goals
The department sustains a diverse and distinguished faculty committed to excellence in teaching, scholarship, and creative activity in their respective fields of expertise, which include art history, art education, graphic design and studio disciplines such as drawing, painting, printmaking, photography and 3D media. The low student to faculty ratio enables more individualized and collaborative instruction. We also offer a consistent and active program of events which enrich our classes, including visiting artists, speakers, workshops, exhibitions, and study abroad programs.
Chair's Welcome
The Art Department at Old Dominion University is a community of artists, scholars, researchers, and students, comprising approximately 360 majors and 37 dedicated faculty that have terminal degrees in their fields. We have new state of the art well equipped studios and classrooms occupying 3 buildings.
Our mission is to educate and train future artists, craftspersons, designers, educators, art historians and consumers of art with an emphasis on critical thinking, rigorous research, the development of a strong studio work ethic and a full spectrum of technical and problem-solving skills. This preparation makes our graduates highly sought after for employment in all areas of visual culture. In addition to full access to a world class faculty and studios, the Art Department offers opportunities for networking through interdisciplinary courses and ties to the community art scene. Our active Student Art League fosters collaborative projects while building important student social support connections. We support our students with merit and needs based scholarships, research grants, internships and exhibitions.
The ODU campus is in Norfolk VA, a vibrant, diverse, coastal environment. With the Chrysler Museum of Art, the Barry Museum of Art and the Hermitage Museum and Gardens, Norfolk is arguably the cultural center of South Eastern Virginia.
If you would like to arrange a Department visit or ask questions, please don't hesitate to contact me.
John Roth
Professor & Department Chair
jroth@odu.edu