Due to the interdisciplinary nature of our program, all students in Art studio courses have access (per coursework and faculty permission) to specialized shop, lab facilities and equipment that range from easels and cameras to table saws, kilns and computers. Maintaining our studio and shop spaces is roughly comparable to running a factory as a teaching resource, and is as necessary to our functioning as the library is to other areas of the university, or labs are to the sciences. In addition, health and safety are a major concern.

The Department of Art assesses fees to support students in the production of art projects. Maintenance of equipment and studio space is a primary issue. In addition art supplies for individuals can be prohibitively expensive (including items as diverse as oil paint, photo chemicals, gases, silver, clay and inks among many others). Many materials are not available locally and must be ordered from national manufacturers and suppliers.

The following fee structure has developed over time to meet the multiple and pressing needs of art students with the most economical and effective means available.

Art MIT (Material Issue Ticket) fee range of $5-125. Purchase and production of materials, supplies, modeling services etc. consumed by students in production of art projects. This fee allows curricular areas in the Art Department to buy materials and supplies specific to course assignments in bulk and to produce materials for student use within the department at lower costs than would be possible if students were required to purchase them individually. These fees vary related to the quantity and kind of materials and supplies required for each course. Some curricular area costs are generally higher or lower than others due to costs of materials and supplies specific to the medium or a specific course offering. Fees are raised regularly in small increments to meet increased costs of materials, supplies, services and shipping.

Art Studio fee a set fee of $25 assessed for all studio courses. This fee was established to maintain, repair and improve art studio spaces and equipment for student use, health and safety so that all students in Art studio courses will have access to safe and appropriate means to complete their work. Funds generated by this fee pay studio tech salaries, maintenance and upgrade costs of essential equipment, machinery and furnishings in studio areas. Techs repair and provide regular maintenance of major equipment, monitor and train students in some studio and equipment use.