Department of Fine Arts
ECH building
Tel 519 888-4567 x36923
Students working on a harmonograph in the sculpture studio.
Four-year Honours academic plans | Three-year General academic plans | Minor academic plans | Specializations
The Honours Studio Practice academic plan is designed to prepare students for work in the creative arts sector by teaching and fostering practical creative and analytical skills within a university environment. In the first year students are introduced to studio art practice in our foundation courses FINE 100 (Studio Fundamentals) as well as in FINE/VCULT 101 (Art History and Visual Culture). Then in second year, students take at least four studio courses from more than 20 possibilities, each concentrating on specific media: drawing, painting, digital, print, sound, sculpture, photography, performance, installation, and wearable media. Year three is focused on honing technical skills in these areas, while learning how to develop an independent body of work.
The final year is dedicated to creating a cohesive body of work which is then showcased in the Honours Graduation Exhibition in March of the last term of study. Studio courses and the student’s own studio practice are underpinned by courses in modern art, contemporary art and visual culture as well as courses outside the department. Professional practice, such as documentation of work, installation, writing an artist statements and preparation of the exhibition catalogue, are all components of the fourth year studio course.
Specific details about the Honours Fine Arts – Studio Practice academic plan requirements can be found in the Academic Calendar. To see a recommended term-by-term progression, you can view the Honour Studio Practice flowchart (PDF) or the Honours Studio Practice with Co-op flowchart (PDF).
Students may combine the Honours Fine Arts – Studio Practice academic plans with Arts and Business.
Students may combine the Honours Fine Arts – Studio Practice academic plans with Honours Arts Co-op.
Honours Fine Arts – Studio Practice may be taken in combination with most Arts majors in which an Honours major is offered or with many Honours majors in other faculties. Information about Double Majors is available in the Academic Calendar.
The General Studio Art academic plan is designed to teach students technical and creative skills in a wide variety of media. Students are introduced to studio art practice in FINE 100, our studio foundation course, in the Fall of their first term and FINE/VCULT 101 (Art History and Visual Culture) in the Winter term. In second year, students take at least four studio courses from more than 20 possibilities, each concentrating on specific media: drawing, painting, digital, print, sound, sculpture, photography, performance, installation, and wearable media. Third year focuses on honing technical skills in these areas, while learning how to develop an independent body of work. Professional practice, including volunteer work placements in local arts institutions (for course credit - FINE 243/343), is also a component of the academic plan.
Specific details about the Three-year General – General Studio Art academic plan requirements can be found in the Academic Calendar. To see a recommended term-by-term progression, you can view the three-year General Studio Art flowchart (PDF).
The Fine Arts Studio Minor consists of eight courses including FINE 100 (Studio Fundamentals), FINE/VCULT 101 (Art History and Visual Culture), five 200 level studio courses, and one additional course in Visual Culture or Art History. The Minor is a complement to a major taken in another department at the university.
Specific details about the Fine Arts Studio Minor academic plan requirements can be found in the Academic Calendar.
The Fine Arts – Teaching Preparation Specialization is open to students in Honours Fine Arts – Studio Practice. The Teaching Preparation Specialization requirements include courses in Psychology, Sociology, as well as experience in a classroom setting. This is excellent preparation for students wishing to pursue a teaching career in Fine Arts.
The Digital Art Specialization is open to students majoring in Honours Fine Arts – Studio Practice and includes courses in both Fine Arts and Computer Science.
The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is centralized within our Office of Indigenous Relations.