Fine Art Diploma
Overview
Faculty of Fine Arts and Communications
MacEwan.ca/FineArt
The two-year Fine Art diploma program prepares students for degree completion (Bachelor of Fine Art or Bachelor of Arts) and for starting a professional art practice. Students study historical and contemporary art in studio and art history courses, along with English, FFAC options and university electives. Students work in studios in Allard Hall on MacEwan University’s downtown campus, walking distance to campus facilities and services, as well as to museums and galleries in Edmonton’s downtown arts district.
The Fine Art program exposes students to the diversity of contemporary art practice, and emphasizes the development of creative, research and professional skills. In the first year, students learn elements and principles used in visual composition, art themes and media, creative research and histories of art and visual culture. In the second year, they develop a personal direction as they study and explore contemporary art theories and practice, professional practice, and pursue idea and process within studio course objectives. Digital technologies along with traditional approaches are incorporated throughout the curricula in coursework in drawing, painting, sculpture, installation, performance art, digital art, video and emerging forms. Studio assignments are designed to foster creative problem-solving skills, fluency with creative language and a strong work ethic. Through critiques, lectures and seminars, and visiting artist lectures, students learn to discuss their own art as it relates to contemporary art and its influences and contexts.
Career Potential
Graduates of the program can be self-employed artists who work on commissioned artworks or exhibit their artwork in art galleries and museums or the public sphere. The program provides a solid grounding to pursue various career pathways such as becoming artists, designers, illustrators, architects, film or media production artists, muralists, art teachers, university art professors, photographers, art historians, art writers, gallery administrators, art technicians, curators, archivists, and art conservators.
Contact Information
Program Requirements
The following program requirements are needed to complete the credential. Refer to the Student Plan as this plan identifies the usual course schedule.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| ARTE 104 | Five Centuries of Art and Visual Culture: From Renaissance to the 19th-Century | 3 |
| ARTE 106 | Digital Foundations 1 | 3 |
| ARTE 107 | Three-Dimensional Foundations 1 | 3 |
| ARTE 110 | Foundation Drawing 1 | 3 |
| ARTE 111 | 2D Foundation: Theory and Structure 1 | 3 |
| ARTE 119 | Introduction to Creative Research 1 | 3 |
| ARTE 120 | Observational Drawing 1 | 3 |
| ARTE 205 | Introduction to Painting | 3 |
| ARTE 206 | Intermedia I | 3 |
| ARTE 208 | Introduction to Professional Practice | 3 |
| ARTE 219 | Concepts and Practice | 3 |
| ARTE 224 | The Visual Culture of Modernity: Fin-de-siècle to Mid-Twentieth Century | 3 |
| ARTE 230 | Introduction to Contemporary Drawing 1 | 3 |
| ARTE 234 | Art and Visual Culture II: Modernism and Postmodernism | 3 |
| ENGL 102 | Analysis and Argument | 3 |
| Choose an ENGL course from the following: | 3 | |
| Approaches to Literature: Trends and Traditions | ||
| Approaches to Literature: Narrative Across Media | ||
| Approaches to Literature: Contemporary Literature and Culture | ||
| Options - Select two courses from the list below: | 6 | |
| 3D Spatial Practice I | ||
| History of Photography | ||
| Painting II | ||
| Intermedia II | ||
| Special Topics in Art | ||
| Thinking Photography | ||
| Special Topics in Art | ||
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective or FFAC option - Select either one elective or one option 2 | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 60 | |
| 1 | The minimum passing grade for this course is a C-. |
| 2 | DESN courses can be used to fulfill the FFAC option. |
Note: Not all Fine Art Option courses are offered in every year.
The minimum passing grade for a course at MacEwan University is a D unless otherwise noted next to the appropriate course in the program of study.
Course Substitutions
| Credit Earned in: | May Be Substituted for Credit in Program Course: |
|---|---|
| ARTE 102 | ARTE 104 |
| ARTE 121 | ARTE 119 |
| ARTE 123 | ARTE 107 |
| ARTE 202 | ARTE 224 |
| ARTE 203 | ARTE 234 |
| ARTE 231 | ARTE 205, ARTE 215 |
| ARTE 240 | ARTE 219 |
| ARTE 241 | ARTE 206, ARTE 207 |
| VCPH 100 | ARTE 106 |
Program Regulations
Students in the Fine Art program are required to successfully complete all courses in Year 1 of the Program of Study in order to be able to progress to Year 2.
Program courses (ARTE) and Bachelor of Design courses (DESN, VCDE, VCDF, VCDI, VCDM, VCDR, VCMI, VCOM, VCPH, VCPR) cannot be used to fulfill elective requirements. However, a DESN course can be used to fulfill one (1) FFAC option.
Student Plan
Students must follow the Student Plan (listed below) to complete this credential in the year(s) indicated by the plan. Students must consult with a program Academic Advisor regarding any deviation from the Student Plan, as this may extend the time it takes to complete the program.
| Year 1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Credits | Term 2 | Credits |
| ARTE 104 | 3 | ARTE 106 | 3 |
| ARTE 107 | 3 | ARTE 119 | 3 |
| ARTE 110 | 3 | ARTE 120 | 3 |
| ARTE 111 | 3 | ARTE 224 | 3 |
| ENGL 102 | 3 | Choose an ENGL course from the following: | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Year 2 | |||
| Term 1 | Credits | Term 2 | Credits |
| ARTE 205 | 3 | ARTE 208 | 3 |
| ARTE 206 | 3 | ARTE 219 | 3 |
| ARTE 230 | 3 | Fine Art Option - 200+ level | 6 |
| ARTE 234 | 3 | Elective or FFAC Option | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | ||
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Total Credits 60 | |||
Admission Requirements
Applicants may be admitted to one of the following:
Regular Admission
To be evaluated through the Office of the University Registrar
Applicants must have a minimum overall average of 60 percent, with no course grade lower than 50 percent, in the following high school courses:
- ELA 30-1 or a minimum of 65% in ELA 30-2
- One Group A course
- One Group B or C course
- One Group C or D course
Applicants with nine or more university level credits must also present a minimum Admission Grade Point average (AGPA) of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale.
Mature Admission
To be evaluated through the Office of the University Registrar
Applicants must be 20 years of age or older and have been out of full-time high school at least one year by the beginning of the intake term. Applicants must have the following:
- ELA 30-1 with a minimum grade of 60 percent (or equivalent)
OR
- Six credits of university level English with no grade less than C-
Applicants with nine or more university level credits must also present a minimum Admission Grade Point average (AGPA) of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale.
Additional Admission Criteria
All applicants must meet the following:
1. English Language Proficiency
To be evaluated through the Office of the University Registrar
Applicable to All Admission Categories
All applicants must meet an acceptable level of English language proficiency. We will require official documents such as high school or post-secondary transcripts or proof of successful completion of standardized language evaluation. Full details are available in MacEwan University’s academic calendar or online at MacEwan.ca/ELP.
2. Other Admission Criteria
To be evaluated through the Program
Applicable to All Admission Categories
Applicants must submit a portfolio and a statement of intent to be assessed by a committee of Fine Art faculty.
Successful applicants will demonstrate in their portfolio:
- a basic understanding of composition, colour, tone and perspective
- an interest in working with a variety of mediums and subjects
- an attention to presentation
Successful applicants will demonstrate in their statement of intent:
- the ability to express ideas well in writing
- how this MacEwan University program is aligned with their interests and goals
- an interest in learning about the theories and practice of historical and contemporary art