Academic Honesty and Ethics in the Arts

Academic honesty is as important in Visual Arts as in any written subject, and it has particular forms in the arts. Because artists constantly draw on other images, materials, and influences, students must understand where legitimate influence ends and dishonesty begins. This lesson examines academic honesty and related ethical issues in art-making.

What academic honesty means in art

Academic honesty requires that the work you submit is genuinely your own and that any material created by others is properly acknowledged. In visual arts this covers several things: the artworks must be your own creation; any source images, references, or materials made by others must be credited; and any collaboration or assistance must be within the rules and disclosed. Passing off another's work, or work ma