SOAD Mission, Vision & Values

An artistic and intellectual community that fosters creative thinking and lifelong learning
In this Section

Mission

UW-Stout's School of Art & Design is an artistic and intellectual community that fosters creative and critical thinking, an experiential education, and lifelong learning.

Through academic rigor and carefully constructed curriculum we prepare individuals for leadership and professional careers in the areas of art and design.

Our faculty guide aspiring artists and designers to build theoretical knowledge and applied foundational skills, creatively problem solve, and encourage personal development in art, design, and the humanities.

These mission statements support and contribute to the polytechnic tenents of the university.

Vision

The School of Art & Design will provide transformative educational experiences in an environment that inspires interdisciplinary exploration. The School will continue its longstanding commitment to providing a high-quality education by leveraging outstanding faculty, leading-edge technology, excellent facilities, and an exceptional foundations program. We aim to have a regional, national, and global impact and be recognized as a leader in polytechnic art and design education. Our graduates will be uniquely prepared as creative leaders and innovators in society and the workplace. 

Values

Passion and Rigor

We cultivate creative expression and intellectual curiosity. Our students and faculty are held to rigorous expectations to advance our fields in meaningful and impactful ways.

Community

We commit to being an artistic and scholarly community. We believe that our unique brand of applied art and design education brings innovation to cultural, economic, environmental, and social spheres.

Teaching

We are teaching focused: we refine our teaching to reflect current practices, meet the needs of our students, and include feedback from practitioners. We encourage risk taking, innovation, and collaboration. We believe in providing an education that is inclusive and accessible to all.

Distinctiveness

We embrace our unique role in the polytechnic mission at UW-Stout and value the significance of our position as a catalyst for inspiration, inquiry, and discovery. We foster diverse opportunities and nurture the values of service, collaboration, exchange of ideas, and lifelong learning.

The Future

We recognize that the creative marketplace has the potential to transform economic, social and environmental structures for the better. As a School, we promote applied collaboration, critical thinking, entrepreneurial skills and creative practice to meet the demands of the future.