Program Overview

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Fine Arts Degree Program

The Fine Arts degree program at the University of Waterloo offers students the opportunity to explore their creativity and develop their skills in various artistic disciplines. The program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in the fine arts, with a focus on studio practice and visual culture.

Program Overview

The Fine Arts program is offered through the Faculty of Arts and allows students to choose from two majors: Studio Practice and Visual Culture. The Studio Practice major focuses on the development of practical skills in various artistic mediums, including ceramics, painting, print media, photography, and digital media. The Visual Culture major, on the other hand, explores the historical and theoretical aspects of art and visual culture.

Program Structure

The Fine Arts program is a four-year degree program that includes a combination of studio and academic courses. Students in the Studio Practice major will take courses in drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, photography, and digital media, while students in the Visual Culture major will take courses in art history, visual studies, and cultural theory. In addition to their major courses, students will also take electives from a range of disciplines, including English, history, and philosophy.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the Fine Arts program requires the completion of six Grade 12 U and/or M courses, including any Grade 12 U English course with a minimum final grade of at least 70%. The admission average for the program is in the low 80s.

Co-op Program

The Fine Arts program is also available as a co-op program, which provides students with the opportunity to gain paid work experience in their field of study. The co-op program is designed to help students develop their skills and build their professional network, and is available to students in both the Studio Practice and Visual Culture majors.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the Fine Arts program at the University of Waterloo have gone on to pursue a range of careers in the arts and cultural industries, including graphic design, marketing, education, and curatorial work. The program's emphasis on studio practice and visual culture provides students with a strong foundation for a career in the arts, and the co-op program helps students to build their professional network and gain valuable work experience.

Sample Courses

Some sample courses in the Fine Arts program include:

• FINE 100: Studio Fundamentals
• FINE 101/VCULT 101: Art History and Visual Culture
• FINE 244: History of Visual Media to 1910
• VCULT 200: Visual Studies Across the Discipline
• FINE 368: International Comics and Animation Film
• FINE 330: Topics Course in Museums, Galleries, Curatorship

Customizing Your Degree

Students in the Fine Arts program can customize their degree by choosing from a range of electives and specializations. The program offers specializations in digital art and teaching preparation, and students can also choose to pursue a minor in a related field. With over 80 Fine Arts courses available, students can tailor their degree to their interests and passions.

Co-op Work-Study Sequence

The co-op work-study sequence for the Fine Arts program is as follows:

• Year 1: Study
• Year 2: Study, co-op
• Year 3: Co-op, study, co-op
• Year 4: Study, co-op, co-op
• Year 5: Study, study

This sequence allows students to alternate between academic study and paid work experience, providing them with a comprehensive education and valuable professional experience.

What Can You Do with a Fine Arts Degree?

Graduates of the Fine Arts program at the University of Waterloo have gone on to pursue a range of careers in the arts and cultural industries. Some examples of career paths include:

• Graphic designer
• Marketing coordinator
• Educator
• Curator
• Artist
• Designer technologist
• User experience designer
• Junior character rigger
• Brick laser apprentice
• Instructor

These careers demonstrate the versatility and creativity of the Fine Arts program, and the many opportunities available to graduates.