BA (Hons) Fine Art
THE COURSE
Contemporary art involves a
boundless diversity of creative practices, which are reflected in
the open approach you will find here. You will be able to explore
the use of materials, media and processes and, in doing so, will
participate in critical discussion and debate around the work you
produce. You will be part of a stimulating environment in which you
will be able to bring together ideas, processes and cultural theory
in order to discover and develop your own position within the
community of fine art. You will be given the opportunity to
surprise and excite your audiences, to contribute to the changing
world of visual arts and to define its future role.
The course encourages ambitious individual practice and is underpinned by three strands: studio practice, cultural theory and professional development. Your work in the studio will be supported by a dynamic programme of related theoretical studies; you will be encouraged to analyse your own work and question your role as an artist and how your work is understood. You will be stimulated to develop your own creative problem solving abilities and to apply them in a multitude of situations. There is considerable emphasis on the realities of working in the professional environment and you will develop your skills by participating in exhibitions and space specific projects. You will also have the opportunity to work alongside professional artists in galleries, museums, schools and community groups.
RESOURCES
The course is based in large purpose-built studios; they are
expansive, open work-spaces with a lively, energetic and
stimulating atmosphere and can accommodate all types of practice
including sculpture, performance, video, film, painting and
drawing. There is additional workshop space and a dedicated wet
darkroom (with access to larger wet and dry and colour darkrooms).
There is also access to shared workshops for 3D work and
printmaking. The course has its own computer room equipped with the
latest Apple Mac computers and software for video editing and image
manipulation, as well as access to a wide range of other University
College resources.
The staff team are all practising artists and researchers, encompassing a variety of disciplines and media; technician-demonstrators manage our resources and advise on technical issues. Visiting tutors and regular talks from guest lecturers who are practising artists also bring a diversity of expertise.
YEAR 1
Year 1 builds upon your previous
learning and you will experiment and acquire further skills and
knowledge. Towards the end of this year, you will begin to define
your practice and determine which media areas you wish to
specialise in.
YEAR 2
Year 2 will encourage and enable you to examine the context of your
work and its relationship to audience. You will continue to refine
your ideas and the concepts which drive your work and will develop
your research into theory and practice. There will be opportunities
to undertake study abroad and participate in challenging projects
and exhibitions within traditional gallery space and
non-traditional sites. Some work experience is encouraged in this
year and research into career options and professional practice
begins.
YEAR 3
In Year 3 you will continue to develop your understanding of your
own practice and the contexts in which it is made and in which it
meets an audience. It is a period of consolidation of your previous
experience on the course and the pursuit of deliberate and focused
practice, culminating in your degree exhibition.
INTERVIEWS AND PORTFOLIOS
We conduct group interviews in which we create an informal and
conversational atmosphere so that the applicants and panel can
discuss the portfolios in a relaxed way. There will be current
student representatives on the interview panel. You will be asked
to select one or two pieces from your portfolio and discuss those
with us together with other applicants. Your portfolio of work
should showcase interesting ideas that push the boundaries and
explore concepts, media and materials. A variety of developmental
and finished work, course work and personal projects, sketch books,
research files and journals should be included. The way you discuss
and present your portfolio tells us much about your initiative and
understanding.
WHAT WE LOOK FOR
We look for originality and an individual vision and expect
potential students to have a developed and knowledgeable
appreciation of the fine arts. Most importantly, we are looking for
students with ambition and drive who are able to use the creative
freedom of the course to develop a strong practice and go on to
build successful careers.
SKILLS AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT
Making and
technical skills will be enhanced through special workshops and you
will be challenged and stretched intellectually and conceptually
through discussion and debate in critiques and seminars; research
skills will support your practical work. Live projects, many in the
public arena, will prepare you for professional practice and these
will be supported by lectures and seminars with fine art
professionals. We have partnerships with fine art courses in USA
and Europe and each year we aim to arrange a major study visit to
an international cultural centre (recent destinations have included
New York, Berlin and Amsterdam). We also we organise group visits
to the Venice Biennale and to London and other cultural cities
within the UK to visit major galleries, events and exhibitions. We
have close relationships with all the major contemporary art
galleries in the region and their curators and directors contribute
to the teaching on the course.
There are a number of career options for fine art graduates and you will be advised on career planning throughout the later stages of the course. Many of our graduates are now successfully building careers as practising artists, exhibiting nationally and internationally, working in the gallery and museum sector, or working in education. Our graduates are confident and highly accomplished practitioners. Many of our students also progress to postgraduate study here and elsewhere.
Part-time Applications
This course may also be studied on a part-time basis over five years.
Part-time applications to this course should be made directly to the University College, not via UCAS. An application form can be downloaded here or contact Admissions on (01202 363228) or e-mail admissions@aucb.ac.uk.
COURSE DETAILS
Mode of Study: Full-time/Part-time
Course Duration: 3 years/5 years
Institution Code: A66
UCAS CODE
W100
COURSE LEADER
Mike Griffiths
CONTACT
Admissions
Tel: 01202 363228/363225
Email: admissions@aucb.ac.uk
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