Bachelor´s Programme in Visual art and art education,

Visual art is characterized by a wide spectrum of expressions, such as fine arts, crafts, architecture, design, art in public spaces, and art in social relations.

The Bachelor’s program in Visual art and art education is designed to introduce students to the field of visual arts and the various ways to bridge and facilitate encounters between artworks and viewers.

In well-equipped workshops, students are introduced to various artistic strategies and methods. They will enhance their skills in different techniques and mediums and develop their aesthetic awareness. Through the processes of idea development, experimental practices, and the use of diverse materials, students become familiar with creative work and managing their own projects. The individual work in the workshops provides a concrete and practical understanding of working with various materials, alongside an understanding of historical art trends and contemporary art.

Through encounters with both national and international art, through theory, and through the dissemination of art, the program offers space to discuss the significance of art for individuals and for society.

In addition to teaching in the workshops, instruction also takes place in various venues outside of campus, such as in museums and galleries, and requires both attendance at guided tours and individual initiatives for visits. The program is closely linked to practical experience as students undertake internships in cultural institutions and as professionals from the art and culture sectors contribute to the teaching as guest lecturers

The program emphasizes critical reflection in relation to art and art mediation. Students practice dissemination strategies for both their own and others' work through, among other activities, exhibition productions, curating, and dissemination workshops. A dissemination workshop involves a session where students meet and reflect on art and work with current exhibitions in museums, galleries, an art collection, or other contexts where art occurs. The Department of Visual arts and drama maintains a close collaboration with Kunstsilo, and parts of the dissemination workshop are conducted at the museum's premises."

On completion of the programme, the candidate:

KNOWLEDGE

• has knowledge of various artistic methods and strategies for creative and imaginative work.
• has knowledge on different esthetical expressions within visual arts.
• has fundamental knowledge of central aspects of contemporary visual art expressions, such as the field's working methods, theories, methods, and concepts.
• has fundamental knowledge of theory related to art mediation.
• is familiar with research and artistic research within the field of visual arts.

SKILLS

• use appropriate tools, materials and techniques when working with visual expressions
• reflect on, choose and implement appropriate working methods and aesthetic means in their work
• develop exhibition concepts and mediation projects for their own and other peoples work
• formulate subject related problems, including planning a practical-aesthetic exploration of these issues
• use professional knowledge to reflect on problems in a given material and make theoretically and methodically based reasoning based on this knowledge
• use professional terminology, both written and spoken
• mediate professional expertise to a different set of target audiences through appropriate forms of presentation, medias and mediation strategies

GENERAL COMPETENCE

• has knowledge of and adhering to the demands of academic integrity
• is able to develop, cultivate and present ideas through, amongst others, digital media
• is able to reflect on professional and ethical questions regarding research
• is able to exchange views and experiences with other professionals within the field of art and culture, and develop good practices through these
• know of innovation and developments within the field of art and art education

Relevant teaching methods include practical instruction related to workshops, lectures, project work, practical and theoretical individual guidance, seminars, and academic debates. There will be organized guest lectures, artist meetings, excursions, and studio visits in the region, as well as optional study trips. Joint presentations and exhibitions form the basis for discussion and assessment of student works and are intended to develop the students' level of academic reflection.

There are work-related practices in the course KF-103 Art educational practice. This will be situated in cultural institutions who are collaboration partners to the professionals at the faculty. Such as Kunstsilo, Kristiansand Kunsthall, Bomuldsfabriken and others. In the practical part, the students stay in an organization or business for a total of two weeks. The students participate in the tasks that are carried out in the organization.

The digital content management system Canvas is used as a method of communication for the study program.

Parts of the lecturing in the courses are mandatory due to the large share of teaching within specific techniques, tool and machine use. The students will be part of collective creative processes that require attendance. See individual course descriptions.

Contemporary art is international, and the students will gain knowledge of global art movements.

Through an international network and contact with regional collaborators, the students will have an opportunity to experience international contemporary art. The program emphasizes increasing the students' global awareness. It focuses on international affairs, through themes such as globalization, migration and sustainability. This is made possible by using guest lecturers, visiting exhibits and the range of topics presented through the student's practical work. The students are encouraged to see art from a regional, national and international perspective. The faculty will facilitate the possibility to see both domestic and international contemporary art through voluntary study tours.

Parts of the instruction and curriculum will be in English, and parts of the curriculum will highlight international perspectives.

The faculty strives to achieve good exchange agreements that also open up for international students coming to UiA. UiA has facilitated the students to have an option to study at an educational institution abroad in the 5th semester. The students can choose nearly any course within visual art during this semester. It is encouraged to select courses that make their education unique. It is emphasized that the students can choose between educational institutions that have a varied set of profiles. See UiAs web site for information on exchange programs.

UiA will facilitate incoming exchange students to participate in the course KF-104-1, Site-specific expressions, during the 5th semester. Both the teaching and curriculum in this course will be in English. The international students will parttake in the lectures with students already following the progress of the program.

The students need to have completed the following to progress to the 6th semester:

KF-105 Workshops and materials (20 cr), KF-1XX Art history (10 cr),

KF-107 Developing, exhibiting and communicating art (20 cr), KF-108 Contemporary art (10 cr) or equivalent

• KF-103-1 Art education practices
• EX-100 Examen philosophicum
• EX-102 Examen faculatatum humanities

If admitted to the program, students will be required to complete HSE (Health, Safety, and Environment) courses, which are necessary to gain access to and be able to work (independently) in the various workshops, as well as the course ORG001-1 HSE Course

The programme may qualify for further studies at Faculty at Fine Arts, the master's degree program, University of Agder, as well as other educational institutions both nationally and internationally.

The student's experiences with art processes and art education practices make the education qualified for work within the culture field, where creative project work and art education are significant.
Combining the bachelor's degree with practical-pedagogical education can qualify the students to teach in secondary school, high school and art schools. For work with teaching in Norwegian secondary or high schools, a supplementary year with Practical-Pedagogical Education is required.

It is required that all students at UiA provide their own laptop computer for use in course and exams, according to § 12d in Regulations for studies and exams at the University of Agder.

KF-103-1 Mediation practic (10 sp)

In the 3rd semester the students must apply for a specific practice place, which the institute has a collaboration with. Some of the practice places will require a police certificate, and others will not. Students are free to apply to a practice place with or without the specific requirement for a police certificate. If the student chooses a practice place who requires a police certificate, the institute will obtain this from the student.

If students choose a practice place, without a cooperation agreement with the institute, the institute will survey whether this practice will involve contact with children for a period of time. If that is the case, the institute will require a police certificate from the student.

For more information regarding how to obtain a certificate from the police: https://www.uia.no/studier2/opptak/linkeblokksamling/politiattesthttps://www.uia.no/studier2/opptak/linkeblokksamling/politiattest

More information will be given in the 3rd semester at Canvas.