Visual Arts Department

Academic Honesty Policies and Guidelines

In addition to adhering to the Academic Honesty responsibilities (p.13) and the Computer Acceptable Use Policy (p.37) outlined in the Albuquerque Academy Handbook, the Visual Arts department embraces the following policies and guidelines to address situations and circumstances unique to visual arts education. These policies and guidelines will be reviewed and refined as the need arises.

Written Work

Written work (research papers, artist statements, project proposals, etc.) should be done individually with appropriate documentation of sources as outlined in the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. Copying another person’s writing clearly constitutes academic dishonesty.

Interdisciplinary Projects

Interdisciplinary work is a valuable educational tool, however receiving credit in more than one class for one project must be approved by all of the teachers involved. Students who create work that overlaps with another subject (either artwork or written work) must obtain written permission to use the work for any class other than the original class in which the work was assigned.

Copying Work

At times students may be asked to imitate work by a master artist to enhance their skill in and understanding of a particular style of art. In this instance, copying the artwork is acceptable. In some cases students may consider a style of art or an individual’s art for inspiration. This is different from imitating and students should make every effort to create work that is unique. In no case is a student allowed to submit as his or her own work that someone else has created. This includes printing a photograph from a negative someone else has made.

Collaboration

Many artists collaborate to create work and students may be asked to do this for certain projects. It is mandatory to acknowledge the people with whom collaboration was done and the work that each person performed. Projects not specifically recognized as collaborative should be done individually. It is acknowledged that students may discuss their work and ideas for their work with classmates, teachers, or others but they should not directly wholly adopt another person’s idea as their own.

Copyright and Fair Use

Copyright and Fair Use rights and responsibilities should be understood and adhered to as they pertain to a particular project. While it may be legal to use another persons work within your own work there are clear rules and limitations regarding Fair Use. Copyright laws are designed to protect artists and therefor it is imperative that we respect these laws. http://www.umuc.edu/library/copy.html

Appropriation

This area is under departmental consideration.