Visual Art, Diploma

Program Information
Credential: 
Diploma
Duration: 

2 years

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.

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: 

Students must pass all courses (25 courses, 65 credits) as specified in the Program Content section of the Academic Calendar, and achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 for the program.

Program Content

First year:

  • ART 101 Visiting Artists
  • CREA 105 Creative Core
  • ART 201/ART 203 Art History I and II
  • ART 231 Visual Fundamentals I
  • 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
  • One 3 credit elective from the following: ACT, ARAN, AVFX, CREA, DRAM, FILM, FTLE, MUSE, MUSI, MUSP, MUSS, PROD, MPA
  • One 3 credit elective from the following: COMM 210, COMM 150, ENGL (200 level)

Second year:

  • ART 101 Visiting Artists
  • ART 310/ART 311 Professional Practice I and II
  • ART 341/ART 343 Drawing III and IV
  • One 3 credit elective
  • One of the following courses:  CREA 110, COMM 250, or ENGL (200 level)
  • Two 3 credit university transfer level courses (preferably 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
  • ART 391/ART 393 Contemporary 2D Strategies and Technologies I & II
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 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.

CREA 105

An introduction to the School of Creative Arts, Red Deer College, and the City of Red Deer and Area through exploration, interaction, and dissemination of knowledge.

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 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

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.

ART 391

A project based studio course introducing students to fundamental concepts, techniques and strategies, for two-dimensional contemporary art practices. Course will address and consider new and developing technologies and media as well as traditional, contemporary, and experimental approaches to 2D artwork. Students will use digital, mechanical, and hand tools. Prerequisite: ART 231 or ART 241. Note: May include use of life models. Not eligible for challenge.

ART 393

A project based studio course introducing students to fundamental concepts, techniques and strategies, for two-dimensional contemporary art practices. Course will address and consider new and developing technologies and media as well as traditional, contemporary, and experimental approaches to 2D artwork. Students will use digital, mechanical, and hand tools. Prerequisite: ART 391, ART 231 or ART 241. Note: May include use of life models. Note eligible for challenge.