October 27, 2008
For Immediate Release

RCCC to Offer Associate Degree in Fine Arts

          SALISBURY, N.C. — Starting with its fall 2009 semester, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College (RCCC) will offer a new associate degree program in fine arts. Students will be able to choose a painting or photography concentration.

           The associate degree in fine arts (AFA) program is designed for students who plan to transfer to a four-year fine arts program. The AFA program also will be suitable for students who want to focus on their personal creative development, expand their portfolios, or work in related creative industries.

           With appropriate education and training, an AFA degree can lead to a number of career options, including career artist, graphic designer, commercial photographer, photojournalist, art director, theater set designer, museum curator, and business owner.

           RCCC's AFA program will require 65 credit hours (36 of which will be fine arts). Students will have some flexibility in choosing which arts courses they take, while concentrating in painting or photography.

           RCCC encourages anyone with an interest in art to inquire about the new AFA program; previous experience is not a requirement.

           "Persons do not have to be experienced artists to enter the AFA program," explained Duane Galloway, RCCC program head for humanities and fine arts. "College is about learning and gaining new skills, and the AFA program is no different.

           "All interested students are welcome to join the program and explore their individual areas of interest," Galloway said.
For more information about RCCC's new associate degree program in fine arts, contact art instructor Jonathan Church at 704-216-3819, churchj@rowancabarrus.edu, or instructor Jenn Gardner at 704-216-3820, gardnerj@rowancabarrus.edu.

           RCCC offers a wide range of arts courses, including drawing, painting, watercolor, photography, digital photography, design, art appreciation, and a survey of American art. For more information and course descriptions, see the RCCC website — www.rowancabarrus.edu.

           Rowan-Cabarrus Community College is a comprehensive, community-based institution of higher learning, serving the citizens of Rowan and Cabarrus Counties. RCCC offers approximately 40 programs of study in business, health and human services and engineering technologies at multiple campus locations. RCCC annually provides more than 2,000 course offerings, serving an enrollment of approximately 20,000 adult students. RCCC programs include an associate degree in arts and sciences, an associate degree in applied science, and diploma and certificate programs focusing on workforce training, continuing education and basic skills education.

           In addition, RCCC provides the education and job-training programs needed to meet many of the workforce demands of the North Carolina Research Campus, under construction in Kannapolis, N.C.

           For complete details, see the RCCC website at www.rowancabarrus.edu.