The fine arts are the physical manifestations of the philosophical, sociological, and cultural expansions of an ideological age.  The arts provide a portal through which one can gain insights into a particular time and place, and thus serve as a greater testimonial than mere text.  By layering an interweaving web of meaning, both consciously and unconsciously, an artist is able to create a work that serves as not only a reflection of their age, but the definition thereof.  Just as people are products of the culture in which they live, the same is true for the arts; neither can be divorced from their origins.  Art serves as both the mirror that reflects a society and the lens through which that society may view itself.  Therefore, it is a vital and integral part of the intellectual growth of any individual to develop an understanding of and appreciation for the contributions of the arts to society at large.

It is of the utmost importance that the education of an aspiring artist not be taken lightly. Each student should be taught the fundamentals of various media so that the conceptual framework of their work is not obstructed by poor craftsmanship.  Each student must be encouraged to apply a thorough exegesis to the concept of a work of art prior to commencing with the project. Great care should be taken to ensure that the student embraces the potential plurality of meanings that can emerge from a single work of art.  And with that understanding, the student should be willing to accept the unintended interpretations of their vision as contributions to the depth of meaning within their work.

The role of the teacher is that of a mentor, an authority, and a cultural ambassador.  To the student, the teacher represents not only the larger academic institution, but a model of the working artist as well.  For this reason, the teacher must be respectable, respectful, and professional in their interactions with students.  Within the environs of a university that is devoted to the study of the liberal arts, it falls upon the teacher to ensure that the same academic rigor is applied to a fine arts education as would be expected of any other department within the institution.