Academic Focus
The Studio Art Practice & Critique program offered during the summer at the Institute for American Universities (IAU) is designed for students of all ability levels who are interested in studying studio art in the south of France. Studio art courses will be taken at the Marchutz School of Art, one of IAU’s studio art centers in Aix-en-Provence. This School takes an interdisciplinary and holistic approach to art education. The faculty consider each student a working artist regardless of their level of experience and provide students with opportunities for studio practice, museum/site study and critical dialogue.
Students will enroll in two required classes. The first is a Studio Seminar which incorporates figure drawing, painting, copying, memory work, museum study and landscape/still life. This second is an Art Criticism Seminar which involves intensive critical and comparative analysis of works from different periods and cultures. The two classes together challenge students to explore a variety of relationships: drawing and color, volume and light, content and form, and technique and imagination. As a required element of the course, students will also participate in museum excursions and painting excursions in order to discover the artistic heritage of the region and to take full advantage of the landscape, architecture and museums (additional fees apply for these site visits).
Each course is typically worth 3 credits in the US semester system for a total of 6 credits. However, it is up to the discretion of your academic advisor how much credit will be awarded.
Schedule Summary
Classes are held each weekday mornings from 9 am to 12 noon. Students are expected to work independently in the afternoon. Alternate Fridays are reserved for site visits.
Course Registration
As the two classes taught at Marchutz are required, you will be registered for them automatically. In order to ensure that you receive credit for your courses, it is in your best interest to have them approved by your academic advisor prior to departure.
