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 understanding and 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-centered 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.
• Opportunities to participate in experiential learning via field school travel abroad and visits to local galleries, museums, and art spaces.

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, and Visual Culture and Theory 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 allow 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 and Professional Practices that prepare them for more focused engagement in both creative and professional pursuits.

Faculty's website: kpu.ca/arts

Department's website: kpu.ca/arts/fine-arts

Admission Requirements

The Faculty's Admission Requirements, which consist of KPU's undergraduate English Proficiency Requirement, apply to this program.

Declaration Requirements

Students intending to graduate with this Faculty of Arts Bachelor’s degree must declare the credential by the time they complete 60 credits of undergraduate coursework. At the time of declaration, the student must satisfy all of the following requirements:

• In good academic standing with the University
• Completion of a minimum of 18 credits of undergraduate coursework, including the following with a minimum grade of “C”:
  • ENGL 1100
  • 15 credits of FINA or ARTH courses, including ARTH 1121, FINA 1100, FINA 1167, and FINA 1175

Curricular Requirements

Students will achieve a B.F.A., Visual Arts by completing a minimum of 120 credit hours with a cumulative grade point average of 2.0, plus a minimum grade of ‘C’ in all required courses. Successful entry into third year “Advanced Studio and Seminar I” will require a CGPA of 2.0 or higher.

The following are program requirements of the B.F.A., Visual Arts:

• ENGL 1100 within the first 30 credits.
• 24-credit breadth requirement consisting of courses outside of Fine Arts (FINA) and Art History (ARTH). These must include a minimum of 15 credit hours from courses in at least 3 different academic disciplines, including 3 credits from courses numbered 3000 or higher.  In order to fulfill Policy AC14, these credits must include:
  • A minimum 3 credits of Writing Intensive (WI) courses.
  • A minimum 3 credits of Quantitative (QUAN) courses.
• The FINA and ARTH courses listed below.

All FINA/ARTH courses are 3 credits except FINA 4300 and 4400, which are both 6 credits.

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The following courses may be used to fulfill the requirement for 3D Studies: FINA 1130, FINA 1131, FINA 1230, FINA 1231, FINA 2330, FINA 2331, FINA 2430 and FINA 2431

Notes:

• Courses will be offered on a rotating basis (i.e. not all courses will be available in a given year). KPU will ensure, however, that the courses offered will allow for a student to graduate in a four-year period.
• Students planning to earn a BFA degree from KPU, should review the lists of required courses and consult an Arts degree advisor with any questions about this program of study.
• Students coming from another accredited institution should send their official transcripts for evaluation as part of their application process to determine credit at KPU and application towards the BFA. 
• Students may apply to graduate with a Certificate or Diploma in Fine Arts as they complete requirements for those credentials while pursuing a BFA degree. Please talk with Fine Arts Instructors on how a certificate or diploma in Fine Arts can lead to a career path.

Credential Awarded

Upon successful completion of this program, students are eligible to receive a Bachelor of Fine Arts, Visual Arts.