City Lit fine art: year 3

What is the course about?

This course enables you to develop and focus a sense of critical reflection and cohesive personal creative work that you will have begun previously. It provides a framework for those wishing to consolidate, further develop and ultimately sustain a fine art practice, with reference to external opportunities and professional practice. Emphasis will be on your personal creative project production in a supportive environment with feedback and evaluation of work from experienced practicing artist/tutors.

This course will be delivered online and in person, and will involve tutor presentation and class discussion. Student preparation and homework outside class times is strongly encouraged. To fully participate in this online class you will need:
- An email address
- A reliable internet connection
- A computer/laptop/tablet with a fully updated browser (preferably google chrome). Your device will need a microphone, and preferably a camera.

What will we cover?

There will be reflective discursive sessions to help you maintain focus on the themes and contexts for your creative work. From which you will be able to develop your individual programme of study through negotiation with your tutors. Some contextual seminars and examination of artists’ works and ideas will encourage you to recognise relationships between theory and practice. Professional practice sessions will introduce such topics as funding, exhibition opportunities and organising and curating shows. Students can participate in a final exhibition, and gain experience of showing work, collaboration, and planning, organising and promoting a group exhibition.

This course concerns contemporary practice and debate, and project mentoring. As such you can expect to be stimulated and challenged by some of the ideas, methods and contexts discussed.

What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...

- interrogate and continue to focus and develop your personal creative work
- become increasingly aware of professional activities that support an ongoing artistic practice
- relate your work to various aspects of contemporary fine art practice
- gain confidence in exhibiting work, presentation, communication, and collaborative activity.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

It is recommended that prospective applicants will have completed the City Lit Fine Art Year 1 and 2 or equivalent. Interviews and portfolio checks are arranged for entry to the course; these will provide an opportunity for information to be given and will ensure that the level is right. It will be assumed that you have an aptitude for visualisation of ideas and the beginnings of identifiable personal creative project that you wish to explore within the context of this course.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

You will be expected to respond individually and independently to the programme, communicating regularly with the tutors and the student cohort. Teaching will be in the form of self-motivated studio production sessions, seminars and video and PowerPoint lectures, gallery visits, group discussions and the sharing of ideas, and personal tutorials.
Note: this course runs on 16 alternate Monday evenings (1800-2000, online) and 16 alternate Saturdays (1000-1700) during term times across the academic year.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

Basic materials are provided, although students will be required to buy any specialist items
or materials. Advice on these will be given by artist/tutors in the class. There will be no need to bring anything to the first session. The end of the year show may also involve some extra cost, depending on your work and exhibiting methods.

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

After completing CLFA Year 3 students have found numerous ways to sustain successful artistic practices, including working together to find and set up group exhibitions in external art spaces, securing opportunities for solos exhibitions and making successful applications to study Art at MA level. Others have set up their own art studios, joined workshops, print rooms, sculpture facilities etc. in which they continue producing work, or pursued funding opportunities for new projects.
Advice and support is given on a wide range of directions relating to fine art practice to support the development of professional understanding and a sustainable personal creative practice

In addition to our expanding range of advanced long courses, you will find a new and growing range of professional practice workshops in the school of Visual Arts, aimed at providing support, skills and context, and developing communities of practice. These workshops can be taken individually, according to need or interest, or as complementary components of a modular course, which you design for yourself; either way, they are there to provide you with the skills, knowledge and connections you need to take your advanced creative practice forward.
General information and advice on courses at City Lit is available from the Student Centre and Library on Monday to Friday from 12:00 – 19:00.
See the course guide for term dates and further details.