Fine Arts
Qualifications
Introduction
The School of Fine Arts at the University of Canterbury provides a stimulating environment that will allow you to flourish creatively. The first art school in New Zealand, the School of Fine Arts is one of the oldest in the English-speaking world.
School of Fine Arts staff are a highly qualified and experienced community of artists and designers of international standing.
Students work in purpose-built studios, workrooms and darkrooms, and have access to the School of Fine Arts Campus Gallery.
UC graduates have been accepted into prestigious Fine Arts postgraduate programmes overseas and many, such as filmmaker Vincent Ward and painter Shane Cotton, have made notable contributions to New Zealand's artistic life and achieved acclaim internationally.
Entry requirements
Entry to the Intermediate Year (first year) of the BFA degree is limited. Intending applicants need to complete a separate application form in addition to the Application to Enrol and send it with a submission of their work to the School of Fine Arts. If possible, prospective students are encouraged to obtain an application form well in advance of the due date and to visit the School of Fine Arts prior to making their application.
The form is available on the School of Fine Arts website or from the School of Fine Arts from August. Students must send it with the submission of their work to the School of Fine Arts by 15 November 2012.
From school
To apply for admission to the Intermediate Year of the BFA degree directly from school, students need to have met the requirements for University Entrance and achieved the achievement standard Visual Arts 3.3 (NCEA Level 3) in preferably two of the following practical art subjects: design, painting, photography, printmaking and sculpture (graphics is not a practical art subject).
At least 14 credits in each of two other NCEA Level 3 subjects (not practical art subjects) is strongly recommended.
Applicants should also provide 12 A4 colour photographs or colour photocopies from each NCEA folio. They should include three examples of work from each of the folio panels plus images of three additional works – preferably in drawing – which will relate to the other examples.
Students who have achieved only one practical art subject at NCEA Level 3 will need to provide an equivalent portfolio of work in a second subject area.
By submission of work
Those who have University Entrance but have not achieved two NCEA Level 3 practical art subjects (eg, an adult student) are required to make a submission of work.
For more information on entry requirements and the application process see the School of Fine Arts.
100-level courses
The Fine Arts Intermediate (first year) consists of FINT 103 Drawing and Methods and any 30 points of Art History and Theory.
FINT 103 introduces Bachelor of Fine Arts students to all six specialist studio subjects through projects in drawing and basic workshop activities and includes two elective studio subjects in the second half of the year.
Fine Arts students choose the subject of their advancing studio courses on the basis of experience and grades gained from FINT 103, and from one of the two studio electives taken in the second half of the year. On passing the Fine Arts Intermediate, most students are able to gain places in one of their two studio electives. The choice of some students may be limited, however, by their overall grade in FINT 103.
200-level and beyond
For the next three years of the degree, students specialise in either Film, Graphic Design, Painting, Photography, Printmaking or Sculpture and also complete a total of six further courses from other undergraduate degrees, including at least one 200-level course in Art History and Theory and at least one further course at 200-level.
Some students choose to build on the 30 points of Art History and Theory taken for the Intermediate and others choose to pursue a variety of courses, such as languages, Management, Sociology or Philosophy, to gain the broadest possible general education to supplement their practical education in the arts and design.
All continuing Fine Arts students have the opportunity to receive instruction in drawing and digital media as supplements to their normal course requirements.
Further study
The Bachelor of Fine Arts with Honours (BFA(Hons)) degree involves a year of further study in the graduate's specialist area of practice and a research project. A further year of study after the BFA(Hons) leads to the Master of Fine Arts degree, which requires the production of a major body of practical work.
The Postgraduate Diploma in Art Curatorship is a professional, one-year qualification for graduates with a background in Arts or Fine Arts and some practical experience in art curatorship.
A UC Fine Arts degree is accepted as an entry qualification to postgraduate studies in other tertiary institutions in New Zealand and overseas. UC graduates have been accepted into the best graduate programmes in Britain, Germany, Switzerland, France, Canada, the United States and Australia.
Career opportunities
Alongside the creative and practical skills learned, Fine Arts graduates develop excellent skills in organisation and time management during their four years of self-motivated study. These skills prepare Fine Arts graduates for a wide range of employment opportunities.
In particular, graduates who have taken courses in Photography, Film and Graphic Design have clear career prospects in rapidly expanding industries in these areas. Other Fine Arts graduates have access to a wide range of vocations within an expanding art world both in New Zealand and overseas.
Recent graduates have gained employment as professional artists, art gallery directors, photojournalists, film directors, design consultants, art conservators, commercial photographers, illustrators, fashion designers, art critics, graphic designers, lecturers and art teachers.
For further career information, please go to www.canterbury.ac.nz/careers
Contact
School of Fine Arts
Telephone: +64 3 364 2159
Email: jan.saville@canterbury.ac.nz