Fine Art

Exhibiting artwork, the result of inquisitive enquiry, is at the heart of our course. This course is outward-looking and believes in the adaptability of art practice for both recognized and unfamiliar exhibition contexts to foster an enterprising and professional attitude in students. An outward-looking and connective mindset is learnt through a holistic understanding of new cultural areas in tandem with asking how a developing art practice can intervene or contribute to these contexts. Consequently, this encourages positive engagement with real-world society and awareness of broad creative industry employment opportunities.

Distinctive features of the course

1. Zoning of Art Practice: The first year is undertaken in a mixed discipline studio where any type of art practice is explored; this learning environment allows you to boldly test new art practice disciplines. Second and third year is zoned into three areas of art practice, Painting, Sculpture, and Media and Performance. This approach allows you to decide a specific art practice. You can move between zones and many group critiques are mixed across the zones to encourage cross pollination of ideas.

2. Real-World Exhibition Experiences: These provide local professional real-world contexts for testing your art practice with public audiences.

3. Global Network Projects: Cultivating inspirational learning environments to open new world views for both student and tutor through international partners. These projects are optional and are elected by you to challenge your art practice.

4. Locational Learning: There are opportunities for national and international locational learning periods, these include national and international residential study visits and an international university exchange programme.

What you will learn

Course content is designed to incrementally build your independence through helping you learn how to discover your area of interest, what we call subject matter for art practice. This structured framework is gradually removed throughout each unit as you identify your area of subject matter and subsequently use the course delivery activities to support your art practice. For example, the final unit of the course, Final Major Exhibition, will see you pursue an independently driven project that you will have designed specifically to suit your art practice.

Critically Reflective Writing is crucial and therefore works hand in hand with art practice. Critically reflective writing helps improve your knowledge of your specific art practice by situating it in relevant theoretical frameworks. You will progressively deepen your understanding of theoretical frameworks by writing an essay within each academic year. The essays are supported with lectures, seminars, tutorials, and study plans. It is also expected that other practical activities, such as practical workshops or study visits, will develop and influence your interests.

The course aims to raise your awareness of broad employment pathways, whilst not exclusive these can be generalised into three main routes for graduates; being an artist, becoming an educator, pursuing an enterprising alternative route. It is expected that you will independently seek out support and advice from AUB Futures – Careers and Enterprise, which will continue to support you for three years after graduation.