Aim of department

The aim of the department is to provide fine arts students with a studio-based education that prepares them to work as professional artists in their own studio, or in related areas of the 'arts' industries. The department places a strong emphasis on teaching and learning as well as fostering research activity in fine art, encouraging students to become involved with exhibitions and gallery activities.

Students are provided with core training in traditional skills, such as perceptual drawing. Fine arts students are encouraged to take drawing subjects at all year levels of their course. They are also encouraged to acquire a basic level of expertise in digital imaging. The studio, core, and elective studies are complemented by gallery visits, guest lectures, visiting artists, and art video and film screenings.

Students wishing to gain a broader education in the visual arts can now undertake a Bachelor of Visual Arts degree. This course offers a range of electives from fine and applied arts, and enables students to create a mixed-media or cross-disciplinary focus in their course. The opportunity to integrate elective subjects from other faculties and departments, such as humanities or performing arts, is available in all fine arts degrees.