Pre-College Program

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

Dates: July 8-26, 2013 Times: 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Watkins College of Art, Design & Film offers highly-motivated high-school students the chance to experience the life and culture of an art college through a three-week intensive summer program. Develop your art and hone your skills in a program that will challenge you to:

Grow artistically and personally
Learn new techniques and media
Discover contemporary trends and potential career tracks
Study with faculty who are practicing artists, designers and filmmakers
Enhance your college portfolio
Relate with other students who are inspired by art
Earn college credit

Click HERE to download the 2013 Pre-College Program application. Click HERE to download a PDF version of the information packet.

CURRICULUM

Choose between two tracks of study, Film or Fine Arts. Within those tracks we offer six concentrations—Film Production, Film Editing, Drawing/Painting, Graphic Design, Interior Design, and Photography

FINE ARTS TRACK

Strengthen your technical skills and critical thinking as you learn to develop your own artistic practice. In the Fine Arts Track, you will participate in three core courses, a studio concentration, field trips and a final exhibition.

You will:

Earn college credit
Study and apply the principles and elements of art
Prepare a first-rate portfolio
Spend time in the studio or lab
Exhibit your work
Explore Nashville’s art scene
Discover what it means to be an artist or designer

Core Courses

Foundations (Meets 2 days/week)
This course will help you see the world as visual artists do by strengthening your ability to observe, conceptualize and analyze through artmaking. Emphasis will be placed on the methods, materials, and concepts of surface, space, and time-based art.

Portfolio Preparation (Meets 2 days/week)
Learn techniques and strategies for building a strong portfolio and gain a distinct advantage when applying for scholarships and admissions into art college. Professional admissions counselors will offer critiques and guide you through the college application process.

Art History (Meets 1 day/week)
In this course you will learn to evaluate, interpret and analyze works and develop a strong vocabulary to talk about art. Slides and group discussions will aid you in this learning process as you study historical and contemporary trends.

Concentrations:

(Meet 4 days/week)

FILM TRACK

Film Production

Film students will learn about techniques, processes, film history, language and storytelling. Professionals with real-world experience will share insights on artistic, technical and business aspects of filmmaking. You will use digital video cameras, lighting and other professional production equipment and work with classmates to create a short-length film. On top of that, you’ll learn tips for applying to film school.

You will:

Earn college credit
Handle professional cameras and equipment
Use script-writing software
Cast live actors
Produce a short film that will be submitted to the Nashville Film Festival

Film Editing Concentration

Explore the post-production phase of filmmaking and concentrate on the editing process. Working in Final Cut Pro, the program used by professional filmmakers, you will learn the overall workflow and fundamental techniques of editing.

You will:

Earn college credit
Be introduced to the Macintosh operating system and Final Cut Pro editing software
Learn terminology for editing video and sound
Fix problems with footage through color correction and motion parameters
Manipulate audio and video with effects and filters
Customize projects by adding text and graphics
Export finalized projects for internet uploading and DVD burning

All Film students will take Film History classes and have the chance to participate in field trips.

Field Trips/Outings (Meets 1 day/week)
Each week you’ll venture off campus to explore Nashville’s vibrant art and design communities. Past outings have included studio visits, museum tours and trips to local galleries for conversations with local artists, designers, curators and dealers.

Final Exhibition/Reception
You’ll gain practical experience planning and installing an exhibition to showcase your work. Family and friends are invited to Watkins’ Brownlee O. Currey, Jr. Gallery to celebrate your work at the program’s concluding exhibition and reception.

PROGRAM DETAILS

DATES: July 8-26, 2013. The Pre-College Program meets Monday through Friday, from 9:00 am-4:00 pm for three consecutive weeks.

JOIN US: If you are a high school student who has completed your sophomore, junior or senior year and you are between the ages of 15-18.

SUPPLIES: Supplies are included, but bring your own sketchbook. Photography students will need their own digital camera, USB cord, and portable hard drive.

FACULTY: Our teaching staff includes local artists, professionals, educators, and college faculty.

HOUSING: Watkins does not offer an on-campus housing option at this time.

LUNCH & SNACKS: Lunch is provided; however, if you want snacks you may bring your own or purchase them at our vending machines.

GRADES/CREDIT: Credit for 1 General Education Course (or the equivalent of 3 college credits at most colleges/universities on the semester system) will be awarded for successful completion of the program. Grades will be determined by quizzes, projects and writing assignments.

TUITION/FEES: $1550. Includes materials, lunches, T-shirt and transportation for special events.

SCHOLARSHIPS: A limited number of full and partial need-based scholarships are available for the Pre-College Program through a generous grant from The Memorial Foundation. The scholarship deadline is April 26, 2013. Applicants should contact the Community Education office for more details. (615) 383-4848

REFUND POLICY: Sorry, no refunds will be given after final payment deadline June 15th.

EARN A COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP WHILE YOU ARE HERE! If you successfully complete the Pre-College Program and decide to enroll at Watkins, you are eligible for a $4,000 tuition scholarship. This scholarship will be awarded over eight semesters if you maintain a 3.0 GPA. The annual amount will be equally divided between the fall and spring semesters and is based on full-time registration of 12 or more credits per semester. If a student registers for less than 12 credits in a semester, the amount will be pro-rated accordingly.

APPLICATION

Click HERE to download the 2013 Pre-college Program application.

CONTACT INFO:
Pre-College Program
Watkins College of Art, Design & Film
2298 Rosa L. Parks Blvd
Nashville, TN 37228
Phone: 615-383-4848
Toll Free: 866-887-6395
Fax: 615-383-4849
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.watkins.edu/precollege
Facebook: watkins community education