Program Description The Bachelor of Fine Arts, Visual Arts degree program provides students with comprehensive knowledge and practice in the field of visual arts. The core of the degree is a strong studio curriculum focusing on the ideas and technical processes of producing contemporary art. The Fine Arts curriculum is complemented through access to a broad liberal arts education emphasizing the development of effective academic writing, verbal communication, and presentation skills. Grounded in theory and practice, students develop aesthetic judgment, professional knowledge, disciplinary expertise, and the collaborative critical thinking skills required to prepare them for direct entry into today's creative economy. The diverse needs of visual arts students are met in a vibrant environment with outstanding facilities, studios, exhibition spaces, visiting artists, student exchange programs, and opportunities for working with the community. Personal and professional development is encouraged as the degree prepares students to be practicing artists and contributing global citizens. 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, photography, digital media), three-dimensional (sculpture, ceramics, installation), and performance art. A thorough grounding in modern and contemporary art history and critical theory that helps students explore issues in their own work and that of others. A commitment to a student-centred teaching environment, small class sizes, and easy access to qualified faculty working and contributing in their field of practice and research. The preparation of students for entry into the cultural industries and creative economies sector of the labour market through incorporation of essential skills training into the curriculum, including cross-disciplinary applications of studio, art history and theory, and practice. Focus on theoretical, methodological, and applied understanding and skills required for employment and/or further studies in postgraduate education programs. A solid liberal arts background that will prepare students to be creative and critical thinkers. Dedicated studio space for 4th year B.F.A. students. The B.F.A. Visual Arts degree offers first and second year studio courses in the areas of drawing, painting, digital media, photography, print media, ceramics, and sculpture. Courses in art history, visual culture and theory, and professional practices support the foundation years' studio offerings. These foundation courses are designed to develop expertise in a number of disciplines and 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 explore foundation level, studio electives. This allows upper-level students to continue to broaden their artistic understanding and skills that, in turn, inform their third and fourth year art practice.
The rigorous foundation that students gain upon completion of the first two years of the degree requirements prepares them for a productive experience as they move to the upper level courses in the third and fourth years of the degree. The core of our advanced studio courses is an open format where students are able to work in a variety of disciplines within the same course. The student will work with a single or cross-disciplinary approach depending on their critical and creative concerns. The final two semesters of the fourth year allows students to focus a greater amount of research on their personal art practice, culminating in their final exhibition. This strong upper-level studio core of the degree is supported by courses in a variety of areas. Art History continues to offer curriculum in the upper levels concentrating on specific art movements and special topics courses that directly complement studio offerings, while students also have access to special topics within the studio arts that prepare them for more focused engagement in both creative and professional pursuits.
