Bachelor of Fine Art
Contact:
Jason Frizzell
Chairperson
Program Information:
E-mail: inquire@rdc.ab.ca
Phone: 403.342.3400 OR 1.888.732.4630
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.
Over the past thirty years, hundreds of RDC BFA graduates have successfully transferred to all of the major universities and art colleges across Canada and completed their BFA degree. Many have gone on further and now have their MFA degree and are practicing artists, art teachers and art professors.
Related Careers
This program emphasizes the importance of a general foundation in art. Competition for employment in specialized art fields is very keen, 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, printmaking, 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
The instructors in the Visual Art Department are themselves practising artists. Studios are fully equipped for ceramics, sculpture, painting, drawing, printmaking, 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 and visual maturity in studio work.
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. The B.F.A. program is also transferable to most other Canadian universities and art colleges.
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.
1. Minimum average of 60% with no mark below 50% in:
a. English 30 or ELA 30-1 or English 33 or ELA 30-2
Note: Students who enter the program with English 33 or ELA 30-2 must take English 30 or the equivalent (English 095) and may not complete the program in four terms. English 095 is not credited towards diploma requirements.
b. Three subjects from Group A,B, or C
c. One subject from Group A,B,C or D
OR
2. Mature Student
You must be 19 years of age or older, out of high school at least one full year before the program starts, and have a minimum 60% average with no mark below 50% in:
a. English 30 or ELA 30-1 or English 33 or ELA 30-2
Note: Students who enter the program with English 33 must take English 30 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.
b. Subject from Group A, B, or C
Program Content
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.
Year 2
- ART 101/101 Visiting Artists
- ART 341/343 Drawing III and IV
Two studio electives from the following:
- ART 351/353 Painting II and III
- ART 361/363 Ceramics II and III
- ART 375/377/379 Printmaking (Two will be offered each year)
- ART 381/383 Sculpture II and III
- One term academic option
- English One term course at the 200 level
- Two term University transfer academic option (preferably a 300 level Art History).
University of Lethbridge Transfer
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.
Program Cost Estimates
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.