Kwantlen Polytechnic University has a new Bachelor of Fine Arts degree program at its Surrey campus.
The program teaches students about traditional art disciplines as well as some that are new and more technology-driven.
“It’s kind of unique because, although we do all of the digital video imaging courses, we still offer traditional studio art courses like ceramics and sculpturing where other programs are moving just toward digital,” says Scott Mcbride, Chair of Fine Arts at Kwantlen.
Mcbride says it was a long time coming getting this program approved, but it’s evident now there is a demand for it. In fact, they can’t accommodate all of the applications they’re receiving.
“It’s an important program for us to have because it’s filling a need in the South Fraser,” says Mcbride. “It gives students the opportunity to complete a BFA degree in their community.”
The diversity of the program gives students a chance to learn a broad range of art skills from digital video imaging courses to traditional studio art courses like ceramics and sculpturing.
According to Mcbride, there’s no age limit when it comes to learning and honing your arts skills. He says they have students fresh out of high school as well as people who are re-entering the work force and trying to change their lives.
Even though a lot of the visual arts are dealing with computers and technology, Mcbride says you don’t necessarily have to be computer whiz to be successful.
“A lot of those companies, like Electronic Arts here in Vancouver, for example, they’re not looking for a computer technology people, they’re looking for people who are creative and who can think of new things, and a fine arts degree helps you think creatively,” he says.
Graduates of the BFA, Visual Arts degree can enter the huge world of film and animation and animation of digital web design. According to Mcbride, they even have students currently working with the film company Dreamworks.
“Some students choose to go a more traditional route and move on to become artists or high school art teachers,” Mcbride says. “It’s a visual world that we live in and the sky is the limit.”
For more info, check out www.kwantlen.ca/humanities/visualarts.html.
