France: Aix-en-Provence Art Semester

Marchutz School of Drawing and Painting in Aix-en-Provence

At the Marchutz School, all courses are taught in English. A non-credit course in French is usually offered for students wishing to study the language as a complement to studio art courses. The Marchutz student body usually consists of individuals with a varied range of experience. As students engage in their individual artistic endeavors, this range of age and experience proves beneficial to the quality of dialogue and capacity for growth. The Marchutz School takes an interdisciplinary and holistic approach to art education. The general purpose of the curriculum is threefold: to enhance awareness of the relationship between perception and imagination, to foster historical and critical perspective, and, above all, to develop the student's capacity to see.

Course Offerings

The Marchutz School takes an interdisciplinary and holistic-approach to studio art. Painting and drawing, study in museums, and reading/writing assignments encourage students to explore the correspondences between natural and artistic forms. In the studio, figure drawing, portraiture, landscape and still-life painting are interrelated with copying, memory work, and sketchbook journals. Group and individual critiques are integral to the students' work. In seminars, students are asked to seek connections in their work with that of other artists and critics. Music, poetry, and theater are often compared to painting, sculpture, or architecture. Studio disciplines and aesthetics are taught separately, but presented as a unified corpus. Studio, writing, history, and criticism combine to form one seminar in seeing. The faculty considers each student as a working artist regardless of his/her level of experience. Whether beginning or well advanced, the student who will thrive at the Marchutz School is serious and committed. Students must enroll in the Studio Seminar (6 credits), the Art Criticism Seminar (3 credits). Museum and painting excursions are also required. Marchutz students may choose two French language courses from the Centre d'Aix curriculum at the Institute for American Universities. A 2.5 GPA is required, along with transcripts and two letters of recommendation. The program is open to students from freshman through senior standing. A six-week summer program is also available.

 

Student Life

Students are housed in French homestay (with French family), which provides breakfast and dinner seven days per week; semi-independent lodging is available in limited supply. Cinemas, restaurants, cafes and discotheques, as well as a variety of sporting events, are available to students in the town of Aix-en-Provence. Some of the activities offered are: hiking, skiing, wine-tasting, cooking, rugby, dance, soccer, football, fencing, and music as well as weekend day trips to such places as the seaside town of Cassis, the Matisse Museum in Nice, and the city of Marseille.

Alumni Feedback

"Marchutz is a dream come true! I'm learning to paint in the shadow of Cézanne. The professors are amazing. They create a whole world for you to grow and thrive in artistically.
- Bridget Butler, Montclair State University (NJ)

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience to improve your soul as well as your outlook on life. CCIS is very helpful in all the details in the study abroad application process. The sponsors were personable and knowledgeable in dealing with me and my questions about study abroad."
- Kelly Painter, Truett-McConnell College (GA)

 

Duration

Fall: September 8 - December 19, 2008
Spring: January 17 - May 8, 2009

Fall Break - Sat. Oct. 25 - Sun. Nov. 2, 2008///Spring Break - Sat. April 11 - Sun. April 19, 2009

Application Deadline(s)

Summer: April 15
Fall: May 1
Spring: November 1

Eligibility Requirements

A 2.5 GPA is required, along with transcripts and two letters of recommendation, for admission into the program which is open to students of freshman through senior standing.

Costs

$8,888 (CCIS member)
$9,938 (non-member)

Costs Included

Instructional costs abroad, insurance, administrative fees

Costs Not Included

Airfare, personal costs, activity fee ($630), studio art ($300), book fee ($170), room/half board ($4,480), Trip Fee ($680), damage deposit ($100)

All costs, fees, and dates are subject to change without notification. Please contact the appropriate individual to verify all costs, fees, and dates for this program.

Related Links

• Wikipedia - Aix-en-Provence

 

Submit Application Materials To:

Alci Arias, Assistant Director

Center for International Education Abroad Truman State University
Kirk Building 114
Kirksville, MO 63501
(660) 785-4076
(660) 785-7473 (Fax)
aclidean@truman.edu

- or -

Eva Fernandez

Office of International Education
Miami Dade College
300 NE Second Avenue
Suite 1450
Miami, FL 33132
efernan1@mdc.edu
(305) 237-3580
(305) 237-7439 (Fax)

How do I apply?

Start the CCIS Study Abroad application process by downloading and printing the following forms. These PDF documents are viewed using Adobe's Acrobat Reader plug-in, which is available free. If you don't have Acrobat Reader installed on your computer, click here.

CCIS APPLICATION PACKAGE AND INSTRUCTIONS

All costs, fees, and dates are subject to change without notification. Please contact the appropriate individual to verify all costs, fees, and dates for this program.