BA (Hons) Fine Art (with integrated foundation year)

Program Overview

This Fine Art degree with integrated foundation year equips students with comprehensive knowledge and skills across various disciplines, fostering a hands-on approach through studio practice and access to fabrication facilities. The program emphasizes theoretical understanding, critical thinking, and professional development, preparing graduates for careers in the art world, including as artists, curators, educators, and more.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

This Fine Art degree with integrated foundation year equips students with knowledge and skills across Fine Art disciplines, including drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, ceramics, photography, filmmaking, and digital media. The program fosters a hands-on approach with access to fabrication facilities, studios, and labs.

Objectives:

• To develop knowledge and skills in Fine Art disciplines.
• To cultivate artistic skills through practical experience in studios and workshops.
• To gain a theoretical and critical understanding of Fine Art through historical and contemporary perspectives.
• To develop entrepreneurial skills and professional experience through local and national exhibitions, curating, and organizing public events.
• To graduate with the skills and confidence to contribute to the artistic and cultural landscape.

Outline:

Foundation Year:

• Introduces students to a range of Fine Art disciplines and approaches to making.
• Provides a supportive studio environment for skill development.
• Encourages an awareness of contemporary Fine Art practices and analytical skills.

Year One:

• Focuses on developing skills across all Fine Art disciplines.
• Integrates practical work with art theory, critical analysis, and historical perspectives.
• Modules:
• Making Images:
Exploring visual expression through various mediums.
• Making Objects: Creating three-dimensional art pieces.
• Visual Enquiry: Developing critical thinking and analytical skills.
• Environment: Examining the relationship between art and the surrounding world.
• Portfolio and Progression: Building a portfolio of work and planning future art endeavors.
• Collaborative Brief: Working in teams on artistic projects.

Year Two:

• Focuses on deepening technical skills, exploring cultural contexts, and developing a personal Fine Art practice.
• Modules:
• Materials and Methods:
Mastering tools and techniques used in art-making.
• Cultural Contexts: Understanding the historical, social, and cultural influences on creative work.
• Application: Translating theoretical knowledge into studio practice.
• Collaborative Practice: Learning the dynamics of collaborative artistic endeavors.

Year Three:

• Develops professional Fine Art practice and addresses current issues in the art world.
• Provides experience in curating and organizing public exhibitions.
• Modules:
• Enquiry 1:
Refining artistic direction and understanding the process of art-making.
• Intersections: Exploring postmodern and contemporary themes in Fine Art.
• Enquiry 2: Developing independent research and critical thinking skills.
• The Professional Self: Mastering professional presentation skills for artists.

Year Four:

• Culminates in a curated degree show where students showcase their artistic and professional practice.
• Modules:
• Practice 1:
Refining research strategies and artistic methods.
• Independent Research Paper: Conducting in-depth research on a specific artistic topic.
• Practice 2: Developing a self-directed, investigative project culminating in the Degree Show.

Assessment:

• Assessment is a continuous process that encourages reflection, learning, and skill development.
• Methods include:
• Self-Assessment Statements:
Students reflect on their work and understanding of assessment criteria.
• Feedback Tutorials and Crits: Students receive feedback from tutors and engage in critical discussions.
• Portfolio Review: Students present their work for evaluation.
• Curated Degree Show: Students showcase their final projects and professional practice.

Teaching:

• Learning is fostered through a mix of lectures, seminars, workshops, and studio practice.
• Lectures and seminars encourage discussion and theoretical thinking.
• Workshops provide hands-on experience and skill development.
• Studio practice allows students to explore ideas, experiment, and develop individual artistic styles.
• The faculty consists of practicing artists who offer guidance and support to students.

Careers:

• The program prepares students for a variety of careers in the art world, including:
• Artist:
Working independently or in collaboration with galleries and institutions.
• Curator: Managing and organizing exhibitions in galleries and museums.
• Art Educator: Teaching art in schools or community settings.
• Art Critic: Writing and reviewing art for publications and online platforms.
• Art Therapist: Using art as a therapeutic tool for individuals and groups.

Other:

• The program encourages students to exhibit their work locally and nationally.
• Students have opportunities to curate and organize public exhibitions, gaining valuable professional experience.
• The University of Cumbria provides a supportive and creative community for students to develop their artistic practice.
• The program emphasizes the importance of critical thinking, research, and professional development.

Note:

The context does not explicitly mention specific career outcomes or job placement statistics.

Tuition Fees and Payment Information:

• Tuition fees for UK students: £9,250 per year
• Tuition fees for international students: £13,575 per year
• The figures above don't include accommodation and living costs.
• Tuition fees are set annually and are subject to review each year.
The University may therefore raise tuition fees in the second or subsequent years of a course, in line with inflation and/or the maximum permitted by law or Government policy. Students will be notified of any changes as soon as possible.
• Fees for foundation year studies are as stated.
Fees for studying beyond the integrated foundation year (years 2-4) will be changed at standard cost.
• For information about funding, please visit our undergraduate funding page.
• We have a wide range of scholarships, bursaries, grants and funds available to support you throughout your studies with us.
This includes the Cumbria Bursary - a non-repayable bursary designed to support first year students with a household income of less than £25,000.