Fine Arts

Students completing the programs in Fine Arts develop a well-rounded perspective on the world; develop critical thinking skills and creative problem solving abilities; and communication skills transferable to many environments within and beyond fine arts related fields.  The degree earned is a liberal arts degree, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), a less specialized yet more versatile diploma, unlike a Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.). Students obtain a foundation for possible careers in teaching, the practice of art, museum curatorship, arts administration or art librarianship, among others.

The entry level program is the Fine Arts major with a studio concentration providing an undergraduate formation in a studio weighted program within the context of a liberal arts education. The Major in Fine Arts–Studio Concentration requires a minimum of 48 departmental or cognate credits (16 courses) from three course groupings: Studio (27 FIS), Art History (15 FIH), and Comparative Arts (6 FIN).  An honours degree in studio art is an option for students with superior academic records wishing to complete additional Fine Arts credits. An honours degree is recommended for those students wishing to apply to programs of graduate study.

Why study Fine Arts at Bishop’s?

Studio work at Bishop’s normally begins with the entry level courses, introductions to practice in two- and three-dimensional media, combined with the application of critical concepts to visual experience and art-making. Students may take courses in drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, photography. Each of these areas is taught by an instructor who is a dedicated teacher and active practitioner in his or her field. Expanded purpose built studio facilities in the Fine Arts Building provide adequate space for medium size classes offering individual attention to students ‘ work and a group atmosphere that is congenial and supportive. Regarding entrance to all studio courses, priority is given to Fine Arts students.

Did you know ?

A major resource for the Department of Fine Arts, as well as for the larger community, is the Foreman Art Gallery. The Gallery mounts exhibitions of art historical interest and shows representative of new directions in contemporary art. This spacious facility is located adjacent to the Centennial Theatre.

Courses & Programs

The Major in Fine Arts, Concentration Studio includes three course groupings: Studio (FIS), Art History (FIH), and Comparative Arts (FIN). This program requires a minimum of 48 departmental or cognate credits (16 courses).  The Studio courses (FIS) include a minimum of 27 credits in Studio Art (9 FIS courses). Normally, the required FIS courses (which are listed under the course descriptions) will include the following 15 credits (5 FIS courses): FIS140 Foundation Studio, FIS160 Drawing I, FIS170 Sculpture I, FIS181 Painting I, and FIS260 Drawing II.  Following these courses, students will be required to take 12 FIS credits (4 additional FIS courses, at least one of which must be at the 300 level) from the following:  FIS182 Photography I, FIS190 Printmaking: Intaglio, FIS291 Printmaking: Relief, FIS261 Drawing III, FIS271 Sculpture II, FIS281 Painting II, FIS296 Photography II, FIS372 Sculpture III, and FIS382 Painting III.  The Art History courses (FIH) include a minimum of 15 credits in Art History (5 FIH courses) including: FIH100 The Art of Viewing, FIH 102: Survey of Western Art II: Renaissance to Modern, FIH 220: Twentieth-Century Art to the 1960s, FIH 221: Art since the 1960s, and one 300 level Art History course.  The Comparative Arts courses require students to consider the arts in a broader liberal arts context as they are by their nature interdisciplinary. The comparative arts courses (FIN) include a minimum of 6 credits (2 FIN courses) from the Comparative Arts component of the program.

The minor requires a minimum of 24 departmental or cognate credits, with 12 credits in art history including Fine Arts 101 and 102, and 12 credits in studio.

Timetable

Academic Calendar

Admission Process