We welcome students who wish to be challenged and stimulated visually, intellectually and holistically who are looking for a career within the creative industries, or feel that they need a life or career changing experience. If you want to understand and contribute to the visual art world, this course is for you. The FdA in Fine Art is a two year programme leading to a foundation degree but most students progress to the BA (Hons) Fine Art top-up year.
We offer encouragement and support across a wide spectrum of fine art practices and theory to develop your imagination, sensibility, knowledge, skills and visual coherence. This holistic course will prepare you for any career that requires problem solving or an ability to think laterally.
The first year covers the breadth and scope of Fine Art practice; including painting sculpture, print making, creative lens, time based and electronic media. The second year is based on negotiated study, including placements. Your final exhibition pulls together the professional practice and experience you have gained during the course.
We believe in preparing you for the outside world so you will learn how to become commercially aware and promote yourself as an artist.
During your studies you will: • Follow your intimate and personal journey begin to make your mark in whatever medium you choose. • Undertake theme-based projects that concentrate on the context, process and methods of Fine Art in its widest sense. • Experiment with different mediums that include painting, printmaking, sculpture, performance, film and video. • Gain valuable experience in curating and organising exhibitions of your work at local and national venues. • Complete a visual culture module that will underpin your studio work. • Take a Visual Arts module which runs alongside your work placement and equips you with the necessary personal business skills to maximise your opportunities after you graduate and promote yourself as an artist. • You will have the opportunity to enter a number of local and national art competitions such as the Pardoes Open and the Millfield National Open. Recent final year students have exhibited at the Appledore Festival in North Devon, the Brewhouse Theatre Gallery in Taunton, Paintworks Gallery Bristol and The Chocolate Factory Gallery, London.
We are looking for you to demonstrate the following personal qualities, although all will be further developed throughout your learning:
• Your interest in Fine Art. Within your portfolio there will be an obvious enthusiasm for the subject and you will bring with you your developing creative potential. We are also looking for your ability to conceptualise and analyse. • Studio, group and team work skills, possibly gained through school/college projects or part-time employment. • Independent learning skills. You will already have some of these skills, although your transition to higher education is supported by your personal support tutor and student support services. • Individuality and creativity. • Written and oral communication skills as you will be required to attend lectures, seminars and tutorials; write essays and a thesis and give oral presentations.
Assessment is based 100% on your coursework and we undertake continuous modular assessment in accordance with the Art & Design Partnership at the University of Plymouth. Assessment criteria are linked to individual module outcomes. Studio based assignments continue throughout the course, complemented by lectures, seminars and workshop presentations.
You will also be assessed during your work placement(s), and on planning and executing an external exhibition as well as at your final exhibition at the end of the course.
Typically 90% of our students continue to our top-up year and graduate with a BA (Hons) Fine Art award. Alternativel you can progress to a relevant third year degree programme at the University of Plymouth.
The range of employment open to Fine Art graduates is many and varied. This holistic course will prepare you for any career that requires problem solving or an ability to think laterally. You could undertake further training at BA and MA level or for a Teaching or Art Therapist qualification, or work in varied fields of arts organisation such as administration, galleries, museums, as well as public and private agencies. The nature of your transferable skills enables you to enter other specialist industries such as Photography, Film, Animation, Illustration and 3D Installation work.
Foundation Diploma Art and Design (Pass) or National Diploma Fine Art (MPP) or A Levels including Art or an art-based subject (min 160 points including 80 points at A2 level) or AVCE Double Award Arts and Design (min grade CC) or Advanced New Diploma (120 points minimum) or Access Certificate Arts and Design
We also require students to have GCSE English at grade C (or equivalent).
Students whose first language is not English will be required to attain IELTS (International English Language Testing System) Level 6 with a score of 5 or more in the writing test.
Note: Mature students without formal entry requirements are welcome to apply.
Interviews last approximately 25 minutes. Normally there are two interviewers. This is a valuable opportunity for you to show and discuss your work and demonstrate your personal skills.
Your portfolio: Your portfolio should be well ordered and display a good range of skills, including photography, 3D work, graphics, drawing and personal sketchbooks etc. Your use of colour and different media will be considered together with clear evidence of design thinking and problem solving.
Full time fees: £3360 for 2011/12 academic year
Tel: 01823 366 331; Email: enquiries@somerset.ac.uk