Bachelor of Fine Arts, Visual Arts
Description
The Bachelor of Fine Arts, Visual Arts degree program provides students with comprehensive knowledge and practice in the field of visual arts. Students have access to a broad liberal education within the university emphasizing the development of effective academic writing and verbal communication and presentation skills. The core of the Visual Arts degree is a strong studio curriculum focusing on the ideas and technical processes of producing contemporary art.
Grounded in theory and practice, students develop aesthetic judgment, professional knowledge, disciplinary expertise, and the collaborative skills required to prepare them for employment. The degree will prepare students for further study, to be practicing artists, and for global citizenship.
The diverse needs of visual art students are met in a vibrant environment with outstanding facilities, studios, exhibition spaces, visiting artists, student exchange programs, and opportunities for liaison with the community. Personal and professional development is encouraged in the department’s relevant, engaging and inclusive Visual Arts degree.
The degree will develop innovative and creative thinkers who are flexible and can adapt to a wide range of career paths.
Key features of the B.F.A., Visual Arts degree include the following:
- An emphasis on contemporary studio arts in two-dimensional (drawing, painting, print media), three-dimensional (sculpture, ceramics, installation), photography, digital media, and visual and contemporary theory.
- A commitment to a student-centred teaching environment, small class sizes, and easy access to qualified faculty.
- An opportunity for students to complete a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in their community, at Kwantlen Polytechnic University which has a long-standing relationships with the arts and culture sector in the South Fraser
- The preparation of students for entry into the cultural industries sector and the labour market by incorporating essential skills into the curriculum, including cross-disciplinary applications of studio art theory and practice to programs such as industrial and product design.
- Focus on theoretical, methodological, and applied understanding and skills required for employment and/or further studies.
- A solid liberal arts background that will prepare students to become constructive members of society and to fit readily into the workplace.
- The ability for students to access Trades and Technology courses for professional instruction in metal work, masonry and carpentry at the Kwantlen Cloverdale campus for Trades and Technology.
Career Opportunities
Recent studies by Statistics Canada have confirmed that cultural industries rely on high-quality, university-based education to ensure the excellence of its practitioners and facilitators. Employers are looking for creative, innovative individuals with a well-rounded, advanced education that enables them to adapt to various environments.
In 2002, total economic output from Canada's culture industry surpassed the $39 billion mark, up 37% from $29.2 billion in 1996 (Singh, Vic. 2002. “The impact of the culture sector on the Canadian economy,” Focus on Culture. Statistics Canada, Cat. No. 84-004 –XPB, vol. 15, no. 1). This economic output is approximately 3.8% of the Gross National Product.
Upon completion of the program, students will be prepared to work for institutions and businesses such as museums and galleries, advertising, electronic arts, web design, architecture, theatre, TV, film, education, journalism, publishing, graphics, general industry and business. In some of these areas, a B.F.A. is the stepping-stone to further studies such as specialization certificates or post-graduate studies in Visual Arts, which enhance employment opportunities. One area our department will be looking to integrate into our degree program will be studies in art therapy, specifically through courses in Inter-disciplinary Expressive Arts, which will prepare students for post degree programs in art therapy.
Visual Arts graduates will acquire skills to develop a career creating and exhibiting their own work. Professional practice curriculum will enable students to be self-employed in art-related fields (some of which are mentioned above) such as product design work, crafts, public art and murals. They will be able to capitalize on market opportunities and derive income from a variety of sources such as sales, royalties, consultation fees, copyright, exhibition and lecture fees. Their success will come from an awareness of the need to manage their careers as self-employed individuals with a commitment to continuous personal development.
The visual arts field has always been eager to adopt and utilize new technologies such as imaging and audio software, digital video and web-based art. Visual artists are becoming more involved not only in the application of new technologies to art but also in their design. The degree program reflects this dynamic interaction between the arts and current and emerging technologies and prepares graduates for employment opportunities in the growing industry of the electronic arts.
Entrance Requirements
For entry into year one, students will be required to meet B.F.A., Visual Arts degree program entrance requirements, which include English 12 with a grade of ‘B’ or approved equivalent and a portfolio review. Students may enter the program at any time, provided they meet the program entrance requirements. Credits earned via course transfer from other accredited institutions and prior learning assessment may satisfy requirements for the degree.
Portfolio Review (for entry in to year 1)
Applicants who have submitted the required documentation and met the program entrance requirements will be notified by Admissions of the dates and times for portfolio review and possible interview sessions typically in mid-to-late April (portfolios may be submitted anytime through March and April). Late applicants may still submit a portfolio for review if space is available. Applicants will participate in a selection process that includes a portfolio review of the following:
10 to 12 examples of your original art that may range from sketchbooks to documentation of large artworks in any medium. Artwork could include photography, ceramics, computer-based graphics (including interactivity and motion), printmaking, painting, sculpture. Pieces larger than 18 x 24 inches and 3D objects must be photographed and submitted as photographic prints or as digital images. Please do not submit originals that are fragile or rolled. Ensure your name is on each piece of your work. Include brief captions for each example of work submitted: title of project, your objectives, any details about materials and processes used, dimensions (in the case of a reproductions of originals), and whether the piece was an assigned project or self-initiated.
A one page, typewritten statement of your artistic interests, including why you wish to pursue an education in the Fine Arts
As part of the selection process, applicants may be asked to attend an in-person interview with faculty.
Portfolios can be submitted in one of the following formats:
Hardcopy portfolios, e.g. zipper cases, folders or customized containers with originals or reproductions, such as photographs (easy to mail) or videos.
Digital portfolios, e.g. CD, DVD, USB Drive, or website. Fine Arts recommends that digital files be set up as digital slide shows or PDF's for easy viewing. Fine Arts does not accept responsibility for digital portfolios that cannot be opened. If the files are not large format the portfolio will be accepted by email(scott.mcbride@kwantlen.ca).
If there are any general questions or concerns please contact the Chair of Fine Arts for assistance (scott.mcbride@kwantlen.ca).
The Enrolment and Registrar Services will notify students of the results of the portfolio review and/or interview process.
Content
Students will achieve a B.F.A., Visual Arts by completing a minimum of 120 credit hours with a cumulative grade point average of 2.0, plus a minimum grade of ‘C’ in all required courses. Successful entry into third year “Advanced Studio and Seminar I” will require a CGPA of 2.0 or higher plus a minimum grade of ‘B-’ in one second year studio course. In addition to satisfying all the essential requirements listed, students must complete at least 96 of the 120 credits in FINA/ARTH subjects, and at least 42 credits at the upper levels.
The following are program requirements of the B.F.A., Visual Arts:
- 6-credit writing requirement comprised of ENGL 1100 and ARTH 1120 to be completed within the first 60 credits taken.
- 24-credit breadth requirement consisting of courses outside of the visual arts program. Students will choose electives according to their interests from the Humanities, Social Sciences, Sciences, Mathematics, Business, Trades and Technology. A minimum of nine credits must be taken from the Humanities area (including English 1100).
The B.F.A., Visual Arts offers 1000- and 2000-level studio courses in the areas of ceramics, drawing, foundation in 2D and 3D studio, mixed media, digital media, painting, photography, print media and sculpture. These lower level courses are designed to develop expertise in a number of disciplines and cross-disciplinary work. Studio courses offer a combination of technical knowledge, creative thinking and critical content. There is flexibility within the structure of the program that allows students in third and fourth year to continue to take lower level, studio electives. This allows upper level students to continue to broaden their artistic understanding and skills, which, in turn, informs their third and fourth year art practice. Courses in art history, issues in contemporary art and professional practice complement the 1000- and 2000-level studio offerings.
The solid foundation in the visual arts that students gain after completing the lower level course requirements allows for more freedom in the upper level studios of the degree. The core of the 3000- and 4000-level studios is an open format where students are able to work in a variety of studio disciplines within the same course. The student will work with a single or cross-disciplinary approach depending on their critical and creative concerns in relation to their art practice. In the final two semesters of the upper year, open studio courses will each be worth 6 credits. This credit value will allow students to focus a greater amount of research and labour into their personal art practice while also giving them access to two instructors in each semester. This strong upper level studio core of the degree will be complemented by courses in a variety of areas. Art history will continue to offer curriculum in the upper levels concentrating on specific movements and periods. Students will also have access to courses in art in the public realm, Special Topics in Studio Arts and inter-disciplinary studies with Creative Writing, English and Music. Furthermore, students may draw from newly developed Cultural Studies and Interdisciplinary Expressive Arts courses.
All FINA/ARTH courses are 3 credits except FINA 4300 and 4400, which are both 6 credits.
1000 and 2000 Level
In the first 60 credits of the BFA, program all students must complete:
ARTH 1120 - History of Western Art: Prehistoric to Early Renaissance
ARTH 1121 - History of Western Art: Renaissance to the 20Th Century
ENGL 1100 - Writing, Reading and Thinking: An Introduction
FINA 1100 – Introduction to Drawing
FINA 1167 – Introduction to Visual Culture: Look Now!
FINA 1175 – Form, Structure and Materials
FINA 1200 - Drawing II
FINA 2111 – Professional Practices
FINA 2147 - Issues in Contemporary Art
3000 and 4000 Level
In order to satisfy the requirements of the BFA, Visual Arts program, students must complete at least 42 upper-level ARHT/FINA credits of study including the following required courses:
FINA 3100 – Open Studio and Seminar I
FINA 3200 – Open Studio and Seminar II
FINA 4300 (6cr) –Open Studio and Thesis I
FINA 4400 (6cr) – Open Studio and Thesis II
Prospective BFA, Visual Arts, program students must also complete
27 to 30 credits of 1000 and 2000 level studio electives
FINA 1110 - Introduction to Painting
FINA 1130 – Ceramics I
FINA 1131 – Introduction to Sculpture
FINA 1135 – Introduction to Digital Media
FINA 1144 – Introduction to Print Media
FINA 1145 – Monotype – The painted Print
FINA 1170 – Photography I
FINA 1210 – Painting II
FINA 1230 – Ceramics II
FINA 1231 – Sculpture II
FINA 1242 – Intermediate Print Media
FINA1270 – Photography II
FINA 2235 – Digital Media: Interactive Art on the Web
FINA 2300 – Advanced Drawing I
FINA 2310 – Advanced Painting I
FINA 2330 – Ceramics III
FINA 2331 – Sculpture III
FINA 2335 – Digital Media: Video and Installation
FINA 2342 – Advanced Print Media
FINA 2370 – Photography III
FINA 2400 – Advanced Drawing II
FINA 2410 – Advanced Painting II
FINA 2430 – Ceramics IV
FINA 2431 – Sculpture IV
9 to 18 credits of ARTH electives
Including 3 to 6 credits of 2000 level ARTH:
ARTH 2122 – Art in Flux: The Modern period
ARTH 2126 – Canadian Art
ARTH 2222 – Art: 1945 to the Present
6 to 12 credits of 3000/4000 ARTH:
ARTH 3100 – Special Topics in Art History (rotating topics, may be taken multiple times)
ARTH 3121 – Italian Renaissance and mannerist Art
ARTH 4100 – Special topics in Art History (rotating topics, may be taken multiple times)
12 to 15 credits of 3000 level studio electives selected from the following:
FINA 3110 – Introduction to Curatorial Studies
FINA 3112 – Public Art: Theory and Practice
FINA 3147 – Issues in Contemporary Art II
FINA 3201 – Artistic practice in the Community
FINA 3202 – Special Topics in Studio Arts (rotating topics, may be taken multiple times)
Courses will be offered on a rotating basis (i.e. not all courses will be available in a given year). Kwantlen will ensure, however, that the necessary requirement of courses will be offered for a student to graduate in a four-year period.
GRADUATION
Upon successful completion of the program, students are awarded a Bachelor of Fine Arts, Visual Arts.
