This proposal modernizes the Department of Art and Design’s instructional infrastructure by directly addressing facility, safety, and equipment deficiencies cited in the 2025 NASAD Commission Action Report. To maintain accreditation, NASAD requires documented solutions that ensure safe working conditions and adequate instructional resources across studio and digital environments.
The requested equipment replaces aging, noncompliant, or inadequate tools that currently limit instruction and pose safety risks. M4 iMacs and upgraded 3D printers will replace 2015-era hardware that no longer supports industry-standard software, frequently fails, and restricts student access beyond a single course section. New additive manufacturing equipment, including both filament-based and ceramic 3D printers, will allow students to work reliably with contemporary materials, support expanded research, and enable interdepartmental collaboration.
Studio upgrades address documented safety and instructional barriers. A calibrated paper beater with a safety shield replaces an outdated PVC unit lacking measurement controls. A front-loading electric kiln allows large-scale ceramic work to be loaded safely without lifting heavy objects, reducing injury risk while supporting expanding research in sculpture. Unlike existing gas kilns, this kiln provides the slow, stable firing environment required for large ceramic forms and a broader range of glazes. Additional investments, including ventilation improvements, a downdraft table, and updated woodworking and printmaking tools, standardize safety protocols across studios.
More than 1,400 undergraduate students in Art Education, Foundations, Studio Art, Graphic Design, and Interaction Design will benefit annually. These upgrades directly address NASAD Items for Response related to health, safety, and instructional resources while ensuring students develop professional competencies aligned with contemporary artistic and design practices.
