BACHELOR S DEGREE IN FINE ART PROGRAMME DESCRIPTION Adopted by the Board of KHiB on 27 October 2011

Transcription

1 BACHELOR S DEGREE IN FINE ART PROGRAMME DESCRIPTION Adopted by the Board of KHiB on 27 October THE PROFILE AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY PROGRAMME The Bachelor s programme in Fine Art is a study programme for students who wish to study to become professional artists. The core of the study programme is the development of the student s own artistic practice, seen in conjunction with art s place in culture and society. Graduates with a Bachelor s Degree in Fine Art have fundamental, broad artistic competence and can handle artistic processes. The programme entails close contact between students and teachers who are involved in artistic research. Students will meet active artists right from the start of their studies. Investigative learning processes have a central place in the study programme, and the students will be given assignments that require independent and innovative work from an early stage of their studies. The bachelor s programme involves a large element of independent learning, which also includes responsibility for acquiring a wide and relevant knowledge basis for the development of the students own practice. At the same time, the students are required to participate actively in joint forums for discussion, criticism and the sharing of experience. Through the study programme, the students will learn to present and reflect on their own and others artistic work. The learning environment at the Department of Fine Art supports work processes based on investigative and experimental approaches. The department addresses an artistic field that is constantly developing and changing, and it emphasises a critical dialogue about tendencies and developments in art, culture and society. The ongoing artistic dialogue takes place both within the department and in arenas where KHiB cooperates with external partners at the local, regional and international level. The study programme is based on the courses offered at the Department of Fine Art and can by supplemented by courses, seminars etc. from the full range of courses offered by KHiB. The bachelor s programme promotes a complex understanding of contemporary artistic practice. The Department of Fine Art has artistic competence and facilities that enable research and in-depth study of a wide range of art practices, media, materials, methods and expressions. Workshops and laboratories represent a methods-based approach to artistic practice. Students have access to artistic expertise and individual tutoring, and will be helped in their endeavours to give shape to their artistic ideas and intentions. At the same time, they will learn about the importance of the material and medium in artistic practice. The department s artistic and technical competence includes digital art, photography, printmaking, installation, ceramics and clay, sound, painting, performance, sculpture, drawing, textiles and video. The bachelor s programme is also open to artistic practices that are not linked to specific media and materials. 1

2 1.1 Learning outcomes On completion of the Bachelor s Degree in Fine Art, students are expected to be able to realise and communicate their artistic intentions at a professional level develop and carry out artistic projects compare and apply relevant theories about art s function and importance communicate orally and in writing about artistic issues, also targeting groups outside their own academic environment familiarise themselves with relevant artistic research and use it in their own practice make academically well-founded choices and handle artistic processes identify their own learning needs and manage their own learning work purposefully and independently, both alone and together with others. 2. ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS Admission to the Bachelor s programme in Fine Art is based on artistic ability and experience. This is assessed on the basis of documentation of artistic work (portfolio) and an interview. The department emphasises in particular work initiated and carried out by the applicant him/herself. The Admissions Committee carries out an overall assessment of each applicant, with particular emphasis on his or her artistic development potential. Applicants are considered on the basis of several criteria, including creativity, motivation, artistic maturity, ability to reflect and communicate, as well as analytical and conceptual thinking skills. 3. CONTENT AND STRUCTURE The bachelor s programme is a full-time study programme worth 180 credits, corresponding to a nominal length of study of three years. The Bachelor s Degree in Fine Art is an independent, complete study programme. The degree can for example in combination with other subjects be used in the entire arts and culture field. The study programme prepares students for a professional career and forms the basis for applying for the master s degree programme. The bachelor s programme is based on a progressive model whereby the degree of independence and in-depth work increases as students develop their own knowledge, 2

3 attitudes, skills and competence. In line with the overall learning outcomes (see 1.1), specific learning outcomes have been defined for five semesters. In the sixth semester, students carry out an extensive, independent exam project and, in the exam, they will be assessed on the basis of the overall learning outcomes defined for the study programme, as well as the assessment criteria for the exam (see 5.1). 3.1 Artistic practice, tutoring and in-depth work The Department of Fine Art has an open and flexible structure, where large parts of the study programmes and courses offered are common courses available to all students in the bachelor s programme. Each student will be attached to a tutoring group, and a main tutor will be appointed for each bachelor student. The main tutor is the student s main academic and institutional contact and is responsible for assessing the student s progress (see 5, Assessment and exams). The main tutor s role is to be a critical supporter in connection with the student s development of his/her own artistic practice. Maintaining an ongoing dialogue with the main tutor is crucial and mandatory. Students put together their own individual education plans in consultation with the main tutor. It is a precondition for the study programme that students have the ability to work independently, and students are largely responsible for their own progress. The students will manage their own artistic work processes and in consultation with their main tutor choose what form of in-depth study is required and expedient in relation to their practice. 3.2 Academic dialogue, theory and preparations for a professional career The development of the student s own practice will be further strengthened through a dialogue with other academic staff, fellow students and guest lecturers. The dialogue with other students is an important part of the study programme. Through seminars and group discussions, students will develop a common understanding of concepts and an analytical understanding of art. Through joint project periods leading up to joint exhibitions and shows, the students will acquire artistic experience-based knowledge. The students overall understanding of artistic work will be developed through participation and dialogue, in processes in which practical examples and exercises contribute to experience and learning. Art theory is integrated with artistic practice throughout the study programme. The theoretical part of the programme comprises modern art history and relevant theories from other humanities and aesthetic subject areas. Familiarising oneself with the different professional aspects of the role is a necessary part of preparing for a career as an artist. During their studies, students will come into contact with important players in the art field, such as artists, curators, gallery owners, theoreticians, critics and art historians The basis for professionalism is developed through courses of a preparatory nature. Participation in exhibitions and other events outside KHiB 3

4 is an important part of the study programme. Students are encouraged to organise their own exhibitions and to participate in public exhibitions and showrooms that are open to art students. Writing courses to develop writing skills are included as part of the study programme. These courses contribute to improving the students skills in critical reflection and communication and help students in their work of writing project descriptions etc. Both written and oral presentations will be emphasised. 4. TEACHING AND STUDY METHODS In addition to independent work and tutoring, the bachelor s programme comprises a flexible and varied set of courses that are presented in KHiB s study calendar at the start of each academic year. First year of study The first year of the bachelor s programme emphasises academic breadth and basic training. Practical training periods have a central place in the first year of study. They integrate basic training in workshops and laboratories with discussions in seminars and the presentation of artistic results. A wide range of practical training is offered in both the autumn and spring semesters, and students choose the direction they wish to pursue in their artistic practice through their choice of practical training during the first year of study. In addition to basic artistic and technical training, the first year includes theoretical courses and writing courses, as well as thematic seminars at which students participate in group discussion and reviews chaired by the department s lecturers and guest lecturers. These seminars may be open to students from all years in the bachelor s programme. Learning outcomes for the first semester On completion of the first semester, students are expected to be able to carry out artistic experiments use artistic tools, techniques, methods and expressions reflect on the function of art and the role of the artist manage their own learning process under supervision reflect on the connection between artistic experience-based knowledge and theoretical knowledge. Learning outcomes for the second semester On completion of the second semester, students are expected to be able to develop artistic ideas and concepts carry out, present and discuss their own artistic projects place their own and others artistic production in a theoretical context further develop their own artistic expression 4

5 analyse the complexity of artistic processes identify and reflect critically on relevant subject-related ethical issues cooperate with others on planning and holding joint exhibitions. Second year of study In the second and third years of study, the focus is on the development of the students independent artistic work. The individual education plan should ensure sufficient in-depth study in relation to the courses and teaching offered by the department, but it can also include courses and project periods from the full range of KHiB courses. In addition to technical courses that require that basic training has been completed, the study programme also comprises ideas-based and process-based project periods. Project periods conclude with joint reviews at which the students work is presented and discussed, and at which they are given feedback and tutoring. The department has equipment and competence that makes it possible to study a number of technical methods in-depth and to develop material-specific skills. Workshops and laboratories are important arenas for learning and development, both for the department and for the overall learning environment at the academy. Learning outcomes for the third semester On completion of the third semester, students are expected to be able to plan and develop an independent artistic practice work independently and apply relevant work strategies further develop conceptual skills utilise available academic resources artistic, methodological and technical in connection with in-depth independent work present their own work based on an understanding of how different forms of presentation affect content and meaning reflect on important subject-related issues, orally and in writing. Learning outcomes for the fourth semester On completion of the fourth semester, students are expected to be able to present an artistic production that reflects ideas and intentions document and communicate their own artistic practice, also to target groups outside their own academic environment assess their own artistic practice in light of their knowledge of contemporary and/or historical artistic practices. identify connections between artistic processes and ideas explain different approaches to and methods in artistic research Third year of study 5

6 In the third year of study, students concentrate on developing their own expression and art through mastering and managing complex artistic processes. The fifth semester is an intensive period of exploration leading up to the completion of a large independent exam project in the sixth semester. In both semesters, emphasis is also placed on practical and conceptual approaches to establishing the student s own artistic practice after completion of the study programme. Besides concentrating on their own work, third-year students can participate in various courses, workshops and projects. They are given by the department s lecturers or specially-invited guest lecturers and can include technical courses or thematic projects that conclude with an exhibition, performance or other form of presentation. Learning outcomes for the fifth semester On completion of the fifth semester, students are expected to be able to document in-depth study in a limited artistic field of interest, conceptually and/or technically explore and reflect on the importance of materials, media and processes in their own artistic practice apply relevant methods for artistic research work in their own work discuss their own and others artistic production write a text that underpins their own artistic practice. 5. ASSESSMENT AND EXAMS Each semester concludes with a formal assessment. Towards the end of semesters 1 to 5, the students are assessed on the basis of the learning outcomes defined for each semester and the pertaining assessment criteria. The main tutor and another member of the academic staff appointed by the Dean will carry out the assessment, which consists of a conversation based on the student s documentation material and an oral description of his/her own learning and work effort. The semester assessment concludes with the student being given structured feedback on his/her own work and progress. The grades pass and fail are used in connection with semester assessments. A student who is awarded a pass grade has achieved the learning outcomes for the semester in question and has therefore also achieved the learning goals as his/her actual learning outcome. Passing the semester assessment is a precondition for further studies in the bachelor s programme and is worth 30 credits. The assessment criteria and specific information about the basis for the assessment are set out in the document Assessment and exams in KHiB s Bachelor s programme in Fine Art, which is available on the academy s website. 6

7 5.1 Exam The bachelor s programme concludes with an exam in the sixth semester. At the start of the exam period, students submit a project description for their exam work to their main tutor. In addition to the art exam project, the student must also submit a written reflection text. In this reflection text, the student must analyse and discuss his/her exam project. The Dean may grant dispensation from the writing requirement, in which case the student must demonstrate equivalent qualifications in another manner. The exam assessment is carried out by a commission comprising two external examiners and the student s main tutor. The exam consists of a conversation that includes a presentation and a critical assessment of the exam project, including the written reflection text. The grades pass and fail are used in connection with the exam. A student who is awarded a pass grade has achieved the learning outcomes for the study programme and has therefore also achieved the learning goals as his/her actual learning outcomes. If the exam work is awarded a pass grade, the work will be presented and shown at the bachelor s programme s Degree Exhibition. At the exam, the student s work will be assessed on the basis of the learning outcomes defined for the bachelor s programme (see 1.1) and the pertaining assessment criteria. The assessment criteria and specific information about the assessment basis can be found in the document Assessment and exams in KHiB s Bachelor s programme in Fine Art, which is available on the academy s website. 6. PERIODS OF STUDIES ABROAD All students are entitled to take part of the programme as exchange students at another institution abroad and they are encouraged to devote at least one semester of the bachelor s programme to this. Exchange programmes with other art academies and participation in international projects and self-initiated collaborative projects contribute to developing a network of contacts that can help students to make the transition to working life. Bergen Academy of Art and Design place great emphasis on international contact and on having a dialogue with impulses from the international art and design arenas. KHiB has collaboration and student exchange agreements with several European educational institutions through the Erasmus and Nordplus networks. The period of study abroad must be approved by the main tutor and specified in the individual education plan. In consultation with the main tutor, the Study Administration will help the student to find a relevant institution for the exchange period. 7

8 7. EVALUATION OF THE STUDY PROGRAMME The academy s Quality Enhancement Programme includes an overall evaluation of the study programmes in a five-year cycle. In addition, students and staff participate in regular evaluations of the courses and teaching programmes offered. Regular and systematic feedback of this kind is crucial to KHiB s work on developing the quality of education and the learning environment. 8