About Fine Arts

A CAREER IN FINE ARTS

The discipline of Fine Arts presents a vibrant and challenging environment for both undergraduate and postgraduate study. The Department is situated in the cultural centre of Johannesburg, itself, the art centre of the country which hosts numerous major national and international exhibitions.

As we believe that Fine Arts education extends beyond the academy, we encourage our students to participate in this wider art arena. This coupled with the combination of conceptually and technically challenging studio practice and rigorous academic curricula, equips our graduates with the skills to excel in many different fields.

DEGREE STRUCTURE

The BA (Fine Arts) degree is a general Fine Arts qualification and covers four years of study.

The studio-based component for the degree involves a wide range of contemporary practice including Drawing, Painting, Sculpture, Printmaking, Photography, Performance, Installation, Video/Film and Digital Media. The academic component consists of three consecutive years of History of Art and an Art Criticism academic course offered at the fourth year level. This course is taught at honours level and focuses on contemporary art theory and practice. New courses in Professional Practice and a personal Research Project round out the final year of the degree. Students who achieve satisfactory results in their final year may proceed directly to a Master?s Degree in Fine Arts. In the BA (FA), two additional first or second year level academic course offered within the Arts Faculty are also required. The additional subjects offered by the University cover a large and diverse field of interest.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Matric with University exemption, and the required points on the Wits rating system. See additional requirements in the Guide to Applicants.

Admission interview

Portfolio presentation

Please note that student intake is limited

COURSE FEES

Contact the School's office on (011) 717 4656

APPLICATION SUBMISSION

Closing date: 31 August

FINE ARTS AT WITS

While students learn a wide range of techniques and skills in the Fine Arts discipline, we actively encourage an interdisciplinary approach to art making. In the first two years we focus on the development of conceptual and technical skills through carefully structured, project-based teaching. In the final two years students are encouraged to work more independently, and focus is more emphatically on individual creative and intellectual development.

Amongst the many facilities are:

• Painting, drawing and sculpture studios
• A print making workshop
• Photographic darkrooms and studios
• Digital Multimedia studio
• Wood and metal workshops

SCOPE AND APPLICATION OF A DEGREE IN FINE ARTS

The BA (FA) degree equips students for a career as an Artist and any field requiring practical/intellectual expertise in visual culture e.g. digital multimedia, museums, gallery administration, teaching (all levels), curating, general arts administration, creative work in the theatre, electronic media, art education in primary, secondary and tertiary as well as special needs settings, art publishing, professional fine and commercial art, photography, computer graphics, art criticism and writing.

QUALIFICATION

• Full time Fine Arts students will receive a BA (FA) degree on completion of the four year course.
• Masters degree by coursework or by dissertation completed in one or two years.