community_resources_faq
Department of Art and Art History
 

Art History    .    Design  .    Studio Art    .    Visual Art Studies + Art Education

Community Resources FAQ

Art Appraisal

Question: I have a piece of art that I'd like appraised; could your department assist me with this?

Answer: Our Department does not perform appraisals of artwork. We recommend that you consult your local yellow pages for listings of local art appraisers. Be sure to work with someone who meets the standards set forth by the American Society of Appraisers or the Appraisers Association of America. You can also utilize these websites to locate accredited appraisers.

Art Research

Q: I would like to learn more about a specific artist or a piece of art; could your department assist me with this research?

A: Our Department does not provide consultation on the research of artists or artwork. However, we can refer you to several local sources for assistance:

Art Restoration

Q: I have a piece of art that requires repair; could your department assist me with this?

A: Please see the Private Conservator Directory located on the Harry Ransom Center's Web page. As a courtsey to the public, they provide a non-endorsed listing for conservation consulting and repair work on books, paper and photographs, textiles, objects, and paintings.

Art Classes

Q: Can a non-student take or audit courses offered by the Department of Art and Art History?

A: There is no auditing of design (DES), studio art (ART), or visual art studies (VAS) lab-based studio courses. In order to take these courses, a person must be admitted to the University and Department and be regularly enrolled as a degree-seeking major in that curriculum.

Q: Are there any courses a non-student can audit in the Department of Art and Art History?

A: While small upper division seminars and writing component seminars in art history (ARH) may not be audited, it is possible to audit medium to large section lecture courses in art history with consent of instructor and when space is available. An auditor does not receive college credit from The University for the course. A University student who wishes to audit a course should complete a Class Auditor Permit Form and obtain the consent of the course instructor and his or her student dean. A non-student must complete a Class Auditor Permit Form and obtain the consent of the instructor and pay a $20 fee per course if under the age of sixty-five. You may download the Class Auditor Permit Form (PDF) here.

Q: Are there other schools or organizations that offer art and art history classes in Austin that I can be referred to?

A: Yes. The Department lists the following options as a courtesy and not as an endorsement:

For college credit courses:

For community-based courses:

For children's art programs and summer art camps:

Art Galleries, Museums, Organizations

For a listing of over 37 local museums and centers, please visit this Web site:

For a listing of over 21 local galleries and alternative spaces, please visit this Web site:

For a listing of art organizations, please visit these Web sites:

Art Models

Q: How do I apply to become an art model for life drawing and figure painting studio art classes?

A: To apply as a model for life drawing and figure painting classes, download this Model Application and Information (PDF), complete, and mail to:

Hillary Haines
Model Applications
Department of Art and Art History
University of Texas at Austin
1 University Station D1300
Austin, TX 78712

Please do not call or email the Department to follow up on your application; Ms. Haines will contact you with additional information.

Art Publications

For a listing of art publications, please visit these Web sites:

Artist Services

Q: Are students available to provide art or design services to individuals or organizations?

A: Companies, individuals, and organizations frequently contact the department wanting to solicit creative services from our studio art and design students. The Department does vet requests to post information on internships, employment, and volunteer opportunities for suitability and is not responsible for any contractual agreements students enter into with companies, individuals, or organizations, nor does it act as agent or intermediary between students and solicitors of service except as an initial disseminator of job information. Our students do not work on outside projects for college course credit or for free! Requests for volunteer services are vetted for appropriateness and are usually limited to non-profit organizations.

Q: How can students be reached or notified of these opportunities?

A: If you wish to have a flyer posted on our “notice board” and/or an announcement sent to our undergraduate listserv, please email an attached Word document to Senior Program Coordinator, Shane Sullivan, which provides the following information: (1) project description (2) what type of service are you needing, (3) timeline for project completion, (4) compensation or volunteer statement, (5) and contact information for project manager. Flyers will be posted on the same day received. Notices sent via email to student listserv are sent every Friday afternoon. For information to be included in that afternoon email, notices should be received before noon on Friday.

Companies, individuals, and organizations are encouraged to also post their employment, internship, or non-profit volunteer opportunity on the Fine Arts Works Web site provided by the Fine Arts Career Services office in the College of Fine Arts.

Art Supplies

Q: Where can I purchase art supplies and other art construction materials in Austin?

A: There are many local, state, national chain and Web site options for purchasing art supplies in Austin. The Department lists the following options as a courtesy and not as an endorsement:

Local Stores/Web sites:

State Chain Stores/Web sites:

National Chain Stores/Web sites:

World Wide Web: