Study plan for MAKUNST Fine Art, Master's, 2 years, fall 2024
Full-time/Part-time
The programme is a full-time programme with admission each autumn.
Language of Instruction
English - supervision is offered in English and Norwegian or another Scandinavian language
Semester
Every autumn.
Objectives and content
Objectives and content: PROFILE AND OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME OF STUDY
The master¿s programme in fine art prepares students for activity as independent, critical practitioners in the field of contemporary art. The programme provides students with the artistic qualifications necessary to work professionally in the complex world of contemporary art. Students develop a broad range of qualifications, including creative thinking, artistic development, project management and knowledge related to their own artistic practice.
Self-directed artistic practice is central in all the semesters. The master¿s project constitutes the main component of the programme. Each student defines his or her own artistic project. The master¿s project is developed over two years through individual research, experimentation, criticism and discussion with the main supervisor, other academic employees, guest teachers and fellow students.
The master project is described and based in these modules: ART300, ART320, ART330 and ART350.
The Art Academy - Department of Contemporary Art has workshops, technical expertise and academic supervision competence in photography, graphics, installation, ceramics and clay, sound, painting, performance, sculpture, drawing, textiles, moving images and digital art. A master¿s project can also be based on other criteria, linked to location-specific, relational and/or interdisciplinary approaches.
Through their master¿s project, students become familiar with artistic research and its methods. Artistic research is based on the artist¿s own experiences and reflection, and contributes to knowledge development on an artistic basis, in the form of artistic results, as well as text and other media.
The Art Academy - Department of Contemporary Art offers a stimulating and challenging learning environment for motivated students. A central objective of the master¿s programme is to promote and establish academic discourse among the students, and thereby stimulate continuous critical reflection on their own and others¿ artistic practices.
Required Learning Outcomes
Learning outcomes: On completion of the programme, graduates should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:
Knowledge and skills:
¿ Demonstrate the knowledge, skills and competencies required for contemporary artistic practice at a professional level
¿ Develop and execute a major, independent art project and exhibit it in a professional context
¿ Identify and assess artistic and ethical challenges and relevant theoretical issues
¿ Analyse, formulate and communicate intentions, values and meaning in artistic work to an audience with varying levels of knowledge about art
¿ Have knowledge about artistic development work as a direction within an academic, artistic context
¿ Establish, maintain, administer and present a professional artistic practice
General competence:
¿ Negotiate and interact effectively with others to initiate artistic projects
¿ Evaluate their own artistic work, and take responsibility for their own academic and artistic development
Admission Requirements
Admission requirements:
The master¿s programme builds on a bachelor¿s degree in fine art, or other relevant degree equivalent to 180 credits.
Applicants are assessed on the basis of the application they submit, which comprises a description of their motivation, documentation of relevant artistic work (portfolio) and an interview.
Requirements regarding the description of motivation:
The description of the applicant¿s motivation for applying should have a scope of 1¿2 A4 pages. It should describe:
¿ Why the applicant wants to be admitted to the The Art Acasdemy's Master¿s programme in fine art, and what expectations he or she has for the master¿s programme.
¿ How the applicant works artistically and which methods, media etc. he or she intends to use
¿ The applicant¿s critical reflections and thoughts concerning their own artistic production so far
¿ What artistic topics or issues the applicant wants to explore through the master¿s programme
¿ The context to which the applicant relates his/her own artistic practice
Portfolio requirements
The portfolio should contain documentation of relevant artistic production that demonstrates that the applicant is qualified to execute an independent master¿s project.
Language requirements:
To be able to participate in the programme, applicants must have a good mastery of English at the start of studies. The working languages are English and Norwegian and/or other Scandinavian languages. Supervision is offered in both languages.
Compulsory units
Art practice:
The core in these modules is to develop one's own artistic practice, seen in the context of art's place in culture and society. Based on the student's own artistic practice, the student will develop and produce artistic results in the form of a master's project for public assessment.
Art practice is the program's specialization and the modules are compulsory: ART300, ART320, ART330 and ART350.
Reflection:
Through various forms of teaching such as lectures, seminars and group discussions, a set of concepts and an analytical understanding of art is developed. Writing courses for the development of written skills are included as a consistent part of the study programme. The courses help to strengthen the students' ability for critical reflection and communication with a focus on the exam project.
These modules are compulsory: REF300 and REF310.
Teaching methods
Academic supervision
At the start of the master¿s programme, the Art Academy appoints a main supervisor/tutor for each student. The main tutor is the student¿s contact person on academic and artistic issues and is responsible for assessing the student¿s progress. The tutor is responsible for the academic supervision of the student¿s artistic practice and reflection text in the final examination.
Academic supervision will include discussions of conceptual, methodological and theoretical aspects of artistic practice. Supervision will take place at the student¿s place of work, workshops, project rooms and exhibitions. Some supervision sessions will take place in groups led by an academic employee. Students are also encouraged to organise their own groups for critiquing each other¿s work, group study and discussion.
Students must have at least four meetings with their main supervisor each semester. Some of these can take place as group meetings / supervision sessions. Some students may want or need further academic supervision during their work on the master¿s project. It is up to the individual student to contact and make arrangements with any co-supervisors among the department¿s academic staff.
Lectures and student-led activities
The master¿s programme presupposes each student¿s initiative, presence and participation. In periods, students will work in groups on joint academic activities. Examples include planning and execution of student-led lecture programmes, exhibitions and study trips.
Lectures and seminars cast light on topical and relevant issues related to art, philosophy and cultural theory. They may include lectures by the Departments employees and guest teachers, as well as seminars on specialisation subjects and discussions. Every course includes lectures and seminar programmes.
Writing courses
The teaching offered includes a series of short courses and individual supervision focusing on text production and various textual practices. Supervision is provided in both academic and creative writing.
Preparation for professional practice
Professional preparation courses are offered throughout the entire programme. Different practices and artist roles are contextualised and discussed by a number of actors from different parts of the contemporary art field. The content can vary from year to year, to address topical professional interests and needs.
Assessment methods
The Art Academy supports active learning processes that are based on investigative and creative approaches. A number of forms of assessment will therefore be used to assess the student's learning outcomes. An extensive form of assessment includes portfolio assessments, which can consist of written and oral components based on the students artistic practice, but students can also undergo forms of assessment such as written homework, oral presentations, work exercises, technique and method exercises and group assignments.
Grading scale
¿Pass¿ / ¿fail¿
Diploma and Diploma supplement
Diplomas are issued once the degree has been completed.
Access to further studies
Successful completion of the programme results in the award of a Master¿s degree in fine art. The master¿s degree qualifies graduates to apply for admission to the PhD programme in artistic development work.
Evaluation
The master¿s programme is under constant evaluation in line with the guidelines for quality assurance at the University of Bergen.
Programme committee
The programme board coordinates the programme of study and advises the department and faculty in matters pertaining to academic priorities, courses and quality development.
Administrative responsibility
The Faculty of Fine Art, Music and Design, represented by the Department of Fine Art, is responsible for administration of the course and the programme of study.
Contact information
If you have any questions, please contact the programme¿s student adviser: