Exploring the Division of Arts and Humanities at Carthage College

Carthage College's Division of Arts and Humanities, in collaboration with the Education Department, cultivates a vibrant artistic and intellectual community. This community fosters a respect for diversity and encourages lifelong learning through scholarly inquiry, artistic creation, and community engagement. The college provides a range of programs and opportunities for students interested in pursuing their passions in the arts and humanities.

Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE)

One notable program is the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE), designed to provide opportunities for collaborative and facilitative research in the arts, humanities, and education. This program allows students to work closely with faculty mentors on research projects, fostering a deeper understanding of their chosen field.

Students selected for the SURE program receive a stipend, as well as campus housing and a meal card, making the experience accessible and rewarding. Faculty mentors also receive a stipend and participate alongside students in joint meetings with other SURE participants from across the College. This interdisciplinary approach encourages conversations about new research and creativity, broadening the perspectives of both students and faculty.

The SURE committee seeks applications from students in their first through third year of study at Carthage and welcomes students from any of the majors offered by the Division of Arts and Humanities or the Education Department. The selection process is competitive, requiring each student to identify a faculty mentor prior to submitting their application. Proposals are reviewed by four faculty members from the division, who assess the merits of each submission using a rubric. The cumulative scores and comments of the review panel are used to determine the final selection. The SURE program in the arts and humanities is designed to contribute in a meaningful way to the research and creativity of the student and the faculty mentor.

Thriving Arts Programs

The arts are thriving at Carthage, with a wide array of programs and opportunities available to students. These include:

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Classroom Excellence: Students are guided toward excellence in various artistic disciplines, including art, music, theatre, dance, communication, and graphic design.
Performance Opportunities: Collaboration with internationally-renowned playwrights and musicians allows students to participate in performances and world premieres on Carthage stages.
Gallery Exhibitions: Established and emerging artists showcase their work throughout the year in Carthage galleries.

Animation and Film

Carthage offers a major in animation and film, as well as a minor in animation. Students learn the art of visual storytelling through hands-on experience of studio applications and production-based workflows.

Theatre and Dance

Students interested in theatre can pursue majors in theatre, theatre performance, technical direction, and theatrical stage management. Minors are also available in theatre and dance. Carthage theatre students can take courses in theatre history, directing, playwriting, dance, scene design, light design, and scenic painting, among others.

Visual and Performing Arts Scholarships

Carthage awards scholarships ranging from $500 to $10,000 per year to admitted students who excel in visual and performing arts. These scholarships are awarded through a competitive audition and/or portfolio review. Recipients are required to participate in department activities through service and creative work.

Students with an interest in the visual and performing arts can take advantage of these scholarship opportunities by scheduling and completing an audition and/or a portfolio review by late February (the exact date varies by program). Online applications for these scholarships are available on each department’s web page for freshman entering in the upcoming fall semester. Scholarships are available in animation, art, dance, film & new media, graphic design, music, musical theatre, photography, and theatre. Carthage offers special visit days for students interested in studying visual and performing arts, providing a more in-depth experience than a typical campus tour.

Modern Languages and Teaching Language Educators (TLEs)

Students studying modern languages at Carthage begin their language instruction with courses taught by native speakers. Every year, new Teaching Language Educators (TLEs) come to Carthage from countries such as Colombia, France, Japan, Mexico, and Spain. These TLEs bring their native language, new ideas for the classroom, and enthusiasm that motivates their students.

Most TLEs are at Carthage for two years, during which time they are also students. Many travel to other American cities to learn about American culture. While they live in private rooms, they have host families in the area who teach them about American family life.

Performing Arts Series

The Performing Arts Series enters its 28th year of bringing world-class guest artists to campus and into the community. This series provides opportunities for students and community members to experience a wide range of artistic performances.

Facilities and Resources

Studio art majors work closely with their professors and peers in a range of traditional and new media techniques in spacious, well-equipped studios. Students develop professional skills through internships, annual portfolio reviews with faculty, and solo thesis exhibitions. The art history and theory courses allow students to study visual art as an enduring cultural legacy.

In the H. F. Johnson Center for the Fine Arts, students enjoy sunlit studios and critique galleries, as well as a photography lighting studio, a printing output lab, and a computer lab equipped with the latest video-editing and imaging software. Exhibition spaces include the H. F. Johnson Gallery of Art, Visual and Performing Arts Lab, and Campbell Student Union Art Gallery, a student-run space.

Student art organizations include the Student Art Board, Art Club, The Carthage Film Association, and Kappa Pi, the Honors Art Fraternity. These student-led organizations provide professional networking opportunities such as the Annual 24-Hour Drawing Marathon, Print-a-Rama, panel talks, peer critiques, and field trips.

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Preparation for the Future

Studying and making art within a liberal arts curriculum at Carthage uniquely prepares students as innovators and leaders in the arts. Opportunities for internships with regional galleries and museums, professional art studios, and design firms offer students real-life experiences, networking building, and potential jobs.

Other Divisions and Centers at Carthage College

While the focus of this article is on the Division of Arts and Humanities, it's important to note the other academic divisions and centers that contribute to the overall educational experience at Carthage College:

Division of Natural and Social Sciences: This division offers degrees in disciplines such as biology, chemistry, computer science, data science, economics, engineering, environmental science, geospatial science, mathematics, physics, political science, psychology, and international political economy. These programs prepare students to be leaders, innovators, and caregivers in a complex and rapidly changing world.
School of Business and Economics: This school brings together distinguished faculty in accounting, finance, business design and innovation, marketing, business, sports management, and economics. Its focus is on hands-on learning, interdisciplinary collaboration, and strong community partnerships. The school also houses the A. W. Clausen Center for World Business.
School of Health: Through hands-on learning, interdisciplinary collaboration, and strong community partnerships, the School of Health at Carthage College cultivates a responsive and inclusive environment that prepares students to meet the evolving needs of the healthcare field.
A. W. Clausen Center for World Business: The A. W. Clausen Center for World Business is both a first-class learning facility for Carthage students, and an active program of speakers, research, analysis, and publications.
Center for Children’s Literature: The Center for Children’s Literature at Carthage College strives to inform and inspire educators, parents, college students, and librarians to develop a love of reading in children. The center regularly hosts workshops, reading programs, and lectures by prominent authors and illustrators. The Center’s nationally recognized collection includes more than 27,000 books for children and young adults.
Center for Faith and Spirituality: Expressions of faith and spirituality are vital to the Carthage experience. Carthage is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Through the Center for Faith and Spirituality, we encourage ecumenical and interfaith conversations that explore the role of faith in shaping contemporary society and the disciplines of the liberal arts.
Center for Student Success: Located on the Carthage campus, in A. F. Siebert Chapel, The Center for Student Success is a one-stop shop for all student needs. Want to get more involved on campus? Feeling a little lost in your classes? Need some advice on something academic, financial, or personal?
Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium: The Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium, headquartered at Carthage, is a member institution of the national network of Space Grant Consortia funded by NASA’s National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program. WSGC represents a powerful network of space and aerospace professionals, researchers, students, educators, and legislators, that has statewide and national reach.

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