Fine Art, Bachelor

Program Information
Credential: 
Bachelor's Degree
Duration: 

2 years at RDC - 2 years at most universities & art colleges

Delivery: 
Main Campus
Program Cost Estimates: 
Program Cost Estimates

Contact Information

Contact Name: 
Dr. Nancy Brown
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.

University Transfer Program

Two-Year University Transfer Program:

The Bachelor of Fine Art program provides a comprehensive program of studies for those considering a career or general education in visual art.

Related Careers

This program emphasizes the importance of a general foundation in art. 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 our Visual Arts instructors are professional practising 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.

Emphasis in the second year is on 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 RDC to the University of Alberta, University of Calgary, University of Lethbridge or the Alberta College of Art and Design, NSCAD University, and the Emily Carr University of Art and Design. The B.F.A. 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: 

Related Link: Admission requirements for specific programs will often refer to Alberta Grade 12 course groups. Visit the Admissions page for detailed group descriptions.

Minimum 60% average with no mark below 50% in:

  1. ELA 30-1 or ELA 30-2
  2. Subject from Group A, B, or C

Note: Students who enter the program with English 30-2 must take English 30-1 or the equivalent (English 095) and may not complete the program in four terms. English 095 is not credited towards diploma requirements as it is equivalent to high school English 30-1.

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 20 term university transfer courses or a minimum of 60 credit hours, and achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 to receive a Diploma in University Transfer Studies.

Program Content

You may enter the third year of BFA (Art) at the University of Lethbridge or the Alberta College of Art and Design if you have successfully completed all of the program requirements, or transfer to most Canadian universities.

Suggested Pattern Year 1

  • ART 101/101 Visiting Artists
  • ART 201/203 Art History I and II
  • ART 231/233 Visual Fundamentals I & II
  • ART 241/243 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 at the 200 level

Suggested Pattern Year 2

  • ART 101/101 Visiting Artists
  • ART 310/311 Professional Practice I and II
  • ART 341/343 Drawing III and IV
  • One term academic option
  • English One term course at the 200 level
  • Two term University transfer academic option (preferably a 300 level Art History).

Two studio electives from the following:

  • ART 351/353 Painting II and III
  • ART 361/363 Ceramics II and III
  • ART 381/383 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

Developments and concepts in art, architecture, and culture in the Western hemisphere. Examines the periods of Prehistory through to the Renaissance. Note: Not eligible for challenge.

ART 203

Concepts, theory, and developments in art, architecture, and culture in the Western hemisphere. Examines the periods the Renaissance through to Present Day.

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

A foundation level, project based studio course that introduces students to a variety of drawing processes and subject matter including still life, portraiture, and life drawing. A strong emphasis is placed on the development of perceptual and technical skills. Note: May include use of life models. Not eligible for challenge.

ART 243

A foundation level, project based studio course that focuses on a variety of drawing processes and subject matter including still life, portraiture, and life drawing. A strong emphasis is placed on the development of perceptual, technical skills, and different media and materials. Prerequisite: ART 241 Note: May include use of life models. Note eligible for challenge.

ART 251

A foundation level, project based studio course that introduces students to a variety of painting processes, media, and subject matter including still life and portrait. The course will emphasize painting from observation. Note: May include use of life models. Not eligible for challenge.

ART 261

A foundation level, project based studio course that introduces the development of technical skills and processes of ceramics in a historical and contemporary context. This course emphasizes design principles. Note: Not eligible for challenge.

ART 281

A foundation level, project based studio course that introduces the development of technical skills and processes of sculpture in a historical and contemporary context. This course emphasizes design principles. Note: Not eligible for challenge.

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

A project based course focusing on theory and practice of drawing with emphasis on developing intermediate drawing and perceptual skills. Traditional, contemporary, and experimental drawing approaches will be applied to still life,landscape, figuration, and drawing from observation. Prerequisite: ART 241 and ART 243 Note: May include use of life models. Not eligible for challenge.

ART 343

A project based course focusing on theory and practice of drawing with emphasis on developing intermediate drawing and perceptual skills, Traditional, contemporary, and experimental approaches to drawing will be applied to still life, narrative work, figuration, and drawing from observation. Prerequisite: ART 341 Note: May include use of life models. Not eligible for challenge.

ART 351

A project based studio focusing on theory and practice of painting with an emphasis on developing intermediate skills. Traditional, contemporary, and experimental painting approaches will be applied to painting from observation, conceptual approaches, and problem solving. Prerequisite: ART 251 Note: May include use of life models. Not eligible for challenge.

ART 353

A project based studio course focusing on theory and practice of painting with an emphasis on developing intermediate skills and a personal approach to imagery and concepts. Traditional, contemporary, and experimental painting approaches will be applied to painting. Note: May include use of life models. Not eligible for challenge. Prerequisite: ART 351

ART 361

A project based intermediate studio class with focus on the techniques of throwing on the potter's wheel and hand-building. Emphasis on surface development and glazing. Use of electric kiln and basic firing technology. Theory and practice within a historical and contemporary context. Prerequisite: ART 261 Note: Not eligible for challenge.

ART 363

A project based intermediate studio class introducing slip-casting and mould-making with an integrated approach to employing throwing and hand-building processes. Development of a personalized approach to surface treatment and basic glaze technology referencing historical and contemporary practice. Further instruction in firing technology. Prerequisite: ART 361 Note: Not eligible for challenge.

ART 381

A project based intermediate sculpture course focusing on the development of skills, techniques and material understanding related to sculpture. Traditional, contemporary, and experimental approaches will be applied to materials, problem solving, and presentation in larger context of sculpture. Prerequisite: ART 281 Note: Not eligible for challenge.

ART 383

A project based intermediate sculpture course focusing on the development of skills, techniques and material understanding related to sculpture. Traditional, contemporary, and experimental approaches will be applied to generating ideas, installation, and technology in the larger context of sculpture. Prerequisite: ART 381 Note: Not eligible for challenge.