Welcome to your Fine Art course

The BA (Hons) Fine Art program at Staffordshire University recognises the diversity and vibrancy of contemporary art. Our goal is to offer you an educational structure that will help you develop your own artistic practice within a stimulating and challenging setting. We believe that fine art education should be closely connected to current contemporary art practices, addressing their main issues and themes.

Our overall aim is to provide you with a diverse range of educational opportunities in fine art, aiming to inspire and assist you in advancing your personal interests and nurturing your growth as an artist to achieve a high level of individual fulfillment. We are dedicated to supporting you in developing your creative, intellectual, practical, professional, and personal skills.

We are here to help you develop a deep understanding of the concepts, methods, and procedures that shape art practice. Our aim is to support and nurture your individual creativity through a range of art processes, skills, and practices that align with your artistic ideas and aspirations. Additionally, we want to guide you in gaining a deeper understanding of the theory and history of the subject to provide a strong foundation that will underpin your practice.

Across all levels and modules, we aim to provide our graduates with a critical awareness through inquiry-based learning, subject knowledge and skill acquisition. Throughout the three years of the degree, you will develop an understanding of reflective practice and problem solving and will be increasingly encouraged and enabled to take ownership and responsibility for your own learning, both as an individual and as a team member, where the ability to interact with confidence, communicate effectively and work with peers and colleagues is paramount.

Your first week with us will be spent settling in, meeting your tutors and fellow students, and setting up your studio space. Here are a few things you might find useful to bring with you on your first week:

• Notebook and pen - you will need a small notebook (A4 or smaller) for taking notes at the various talks you’ll be going to during Welcome Week. An artist should never be without a pen or pencil, so please make sure you have these with you at all times.

• Sketchbooks - you’ll also need sketchbooks in which to produce rough drawings, collages, and so on, but we recommend you buy these at our on-campus art shop, as it’s usually cheaper than the high street.

• Small padlock – we provide lockers for safe storage in our studio spaces, so please try and bring a small padlock so you can use your locker immediately.

• Diary – whether you prefer a paper diary or a calendar app on your phone, you will need to be able to keep track of your appointments and your timetable, so a diary of some sort is essential. Academic diaries can be picked up at the student shop, or you can set up a calendar app on your phone for free.

• Paint, canvas, board, and other art materials – these don’t need to be purchased in advance, as we recommend buying them as you need them from the on-campus art shop.