Visual Art, Diploma

Program Information
Credential: 
Diploma
Duration: 

2 years

Delivery: 
Main Campus
Program Cost Estimates: 
Program Cost Estimates

Contact Information

Contact Name: 
Dr. Peter Fielding
Contact Title: 
Associate Dean
Contact Phone: 
403.342.3400 OR 1.888.732.4630
Contact Email: 
inquire@rdc.ab.ca

Department Information

For more information visit the Visual Art Department, under Academic Departments.

Related Careers

This program emphasizes the importance of a general foundation in art. Most related careers in art require further studies beyond two years, either at university or art college. Employment in specialized art fields can be very competitive, making the strength of your basic education very important.

The following employment-related fields require a general art foundation, followed by more specialized training, ending in a four-year undergraduate degree or Master's degree.

  • Fine Art - sculpture, painting, ceramics, photography, and drawing
  • Crafts Design - ceramics, textiles, glass, and jewellery
  • Commercial Design - lay-out, illustration, display, model-making, and photography
  • Environmental Design - architectural, urban, environmental, and industrial design
  • Photography - creative, commercial, industrial, and freelance
  • Art Education - secondary and post-secondary
  • Other - art galleries, framing shops, etc.
The Program

All of your visual art instructors are professional practicing artists. We offer state-of-the-art studio spaces, fully equipped for ceramics, sculpture, painting, drawing, and design.

The program offers you a concentrated visual arts foundation in a two year time span.

The first year emphasizes experience in drawing, painting, design, ceramics, sculpture, art history, and English. A broad range of visual experiences will help you form a visual arts vocabulary and master skills in composition and technical areas.

The second year of the program emphasizes creative growth, visual maturity in studio work as well as allowing you to experience open options to broaden your education.

Transfer Features

You may transfer up to 20 course equivalents taken at Red Deer College to the University of Alberta, University of Calgary, University of Lethbridge, the Alberta College of Art and Design, NSCAD University, and the Emily Carr University of Art and Design. The Visual Art diploma program is also transferable to most other Canadian universities and art colleges.

Transfer requirements vary from one university to another. See the Alberta Transfer Guide for detailed transfer policies.

Requirements
Admission Requirements: 

A minimum mark of 50% in ELA 30-1 or ELA 30-2

OR

A minimum score of 250 on the Reading component, 250 on the Writing component and 5 on the WritePlacer Test.

Note: Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency in addition to the program admission requirements.

Graduation Requirements: 

You must pass all courses (26 courses, 64 total credits) and achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00.

Program Content

First year:

  • ART 101/ART 101 Visiting Artists
  • ART 201/ART 203 Art History I and II
  • ART 231/ART 233 Visual Fundamentals I & II
  • ART 241/ART 243 Drawing I and II
  • ART 251 Two Dimensional Studies- Painting I
  • ART 261 Three Dimensional Studies-Ceramics I
  • ART 281 Three Dimensional Studies-Sculpture I
  • English One term course (level determined by entry qualifications)

Second year:

  • ART 101/ART 101 Visiting Artists
  • ART 310/ART 311 Professional Practice I and II
  • ART 341/ART 343 Drawing III and IV
  • One-term academic option
  • English One-term course (university level)
  • Two-term University transfer academic option (preferably a 300 level Art History).

Two electives from the following full-year studio courses:

  • ART 351/ART 353 Painting II and III
  • ART 361/ART 363 Ceramics II and III
  • ART 381/ART 383 Sculpture II and III
Year 1 Course Descriptions

ART 101

This is a presentation based course featuring a diverse range of visiting artists who are professionally active in the visual art studio areas. Presentations will contain a variety of graphic content. Note: This course will be evaluated using a credit(pass)/non-credit(fail) grading system based upon 75% attendance. Note: Repeat for credit 4 times for 2 credits. To complete their program requirement, BFA and Visual Art students must have completed a total of 2 credits in ART 101. Beginning date for ART 101 is Fall 2002.

ART 201

A survey of Art History from Prehistoric to Renaissance.

ART 203

A survey of Art History from Renaissance to modern.

ART 231

A foundation level, project based studio course that introduces the formal elements and principles of two dimensional design.

ART 233

A foundation level, project based studio course that introduces the formal elements and principles of three dimensional design.

ART 241

Basic theory and practice of drawing. Note: May include use of life models.

ART 243

ART 241 continued. Basic theory and practice of drawing. Emphasis is on analysis and motivation. Note: May include use of life models. Prerequisite: ART 241

ART 251

Introduction to various materials and techniques in both traditional and contemporary formats. Note: May include use of life models.

ART 261

Ceramic process in image and idea.

ART 281

Sculptural process in image and idea.

Year 2 Course Descriptions

ART 101

This is a presentation based course featuring a diverse range of visiting artists who are professionally active in the visual art studio areas. Presentations will contain a variety of graphic content. Note: This course will be evaluated using a credit(pass)/non-credit(fail) grading system based upon 75% attendance. Note: Repeat for credit 4 times for 2 credits. To complete their program requirement, BFA and Visual Art students must have completed a total of 2 credits in ART 101. Beginning date for ART 101 is Fall 2002.

ART 310

The exploration and application of issues, responsibilites, techniques, and systems related to professional artistic practice with an emphasis on portfolio development. Pre-requisites: Art 231,233,241,243,251,261,281 or department approval

ART 311

The exploration and application of issues, responsibilities, techniques, and systems related to a professional artistic practice with an emphasis on proposals, support agencies, and contractual and financial matters. Pre-requisite: Art 310

ART 341

Theory and practice of drawing. Emphasis is on developing more advanced drawing and perception skills. Note: May include use of life models Prerequisites: ART 231, 233 and 243

ART 343

Emphasis is on refining technique and resolution of working concepts. Note: May include use of life models Prerequisite: ART 341

ART 351

ART 251 continued. A contemporary approach to painting that develops individual strengths, using a problem solving approach. Note: May include use of life models Prerequisites: For AU, UofC, UofL, AUC, B.F.A. program: ART 251 231, 233 and 243. For UofA, B.F.A. program: ART 231, 233, 243, 251 and 281.

ART 353

ART 351 continued. Note: May include use of life models Prerequisite: ART 351

ART 361

Emphasis is on hand building and surface enrichment. Lectures, critiques, and studio practice. Prerequisites: ART 231, 233, 243 and 261

ART 363

Further work and study in clay. Kiln firing principles and introduction to throwing. Lecture, critiques, and studio practice. Prerequisite: ART 361

ART 375

Relief printmaking, including woodcut, wood engraving, linocuts, and colour printmaking. Prerequisites: For AU, UofC, UofL, AUC, B.F.A. Program: ART 231, 233, and 243. For UofA, B.F.A. Program: ART 231, 233, 243, 251 and 281.

ART 379

Intaglio and relief printmaking. Includes etching, engraving, collograph, and colour printing.

ART 381

Developing and realizing sculpture using various techniques and materials. Prerequisites: For UofC, UofL, AUC, B.F.A. Program: ART 231, 233, 243 and 281. For UofA, B.F.A. Program: ART 231, 233, 243, 251 and 281.

ART 383

Further study and work in sculpture. Prerequisite: ART 381