The Department of Art and Design provides an excellent studio art program for its majors, minors and postgraduate students in recently built and renovated facilities utilizing state-of-the-art technology. While students are encouraged to develop their creative, intellectual and technical potential in the visual arts, they also have the opportunity to pursue minors in diverse areas such as anthropology, business, geography, history and more. <br><br>Emphasis is placed on the development of conceptual and visual vocabulary, as well as the ability of students to discuss their work within historical and contemporary contexts. At SIUE, students build upon a core foundation of skills in order to produce meaningful and engaging works with diverse objectives. Our students are challenged to view themselves as professionals on the first day they step into a classroom.<br><br>Textiles is an interdisciplinary program that incorporates a variety of techniques and methods of working including book arts, weaving, surface design, paper making and felting. The umbrella discipline of textiles balances fine craft techniques with conceptual development and utilizes technology and technological development.