The University offers one year full-time, or two years part-time practical programmes for graduate students seeking to develop professional status in Fine Art. Parts of the MA relate to matters of business and creative survival, which include commercial outlets and galleries, professional practices (e.g. in portfolio presentation), relationships with dealers, and legal issues such as copyright and accountancy.
It must, however, be stressed that this is not a business studies programme, and, while they find such matters important, the greatest business asset of professional artists is the quality of their creative work.
ContentFull-time programme members meet formally for an average of about eleven hours a week or half that part-time. They are encouraged to meet at other times and there is informal access to studio facilities both during term and vacation. The long summer vacation is an especially important period for consolidating experience in the studios and workshops, and a programme of this kind gains strength from informal networks for exchanging ideas and fostering attitudes.
The University’s Art and Design Department is housed in the Sidney Cooper Gallery (in the middle of Canterbury) which has studios with excellent lighting.
There is a small on-site specialist library which augments the considerable resources on the main campus.
The Department benefits from its location in Canterbury by being able to draw on the expertise of professional artists based in London. Its staff all run working studios either locally in Kent or in London and contribute to national and international art exhibitions, commercial galleries, educational venues, arts festivals, professional bodies and museum work. The high level of professional activity of full-time and visiting staff is among the Department’s greatest assets, and its reputation and credibility are rooted in the seriousness of their creative endeavour.
Additionally, eminent artists make themselves available to students where appropriate to their work, and on occasion, conduct master classes. The Department facilitates such links between students and artists whose work is pertinent to their studies. Artists, with whom the Department has existing relationships include Stephen Cooper, Eileen Cooper, Martin Golding, Trevor Felcey, Susie Halls, Kapil Jariwala, John Long, Sargy Mann, Geri Morgan, Peter Randall-Page, Rob Harman, Bob Stone and Alan Turnbull..
Applicants are normally interviewed as part of the selection process and they are expected to have sustained their creativity at a high level. They should have established, or be prepared to establish, a working studio in or near Canterbury that other participants and tutors can visit. Applicants from the European Union and overseas, are welcome but they must be prepared to establish studios in the locality. Full-time students will be accommodated in the Departmental studios.
The selection criteria for this programme is based on:
The quality of work demonstrated through the portfolio inspection
Previous experience (e.g. exhibitions, studio practice)
At the interview candidates will need to demonstrate motivation and be able to explain their reasons for undertaking further study
The candidate’s expectations of the course provision.
For applicants from outside the UK the submission of slides or access to a website are acceptable alternatives. This may be followed by a telephone interview.
Refer to www.canterbury.ac.uk For an explanation of qualifications, have a look at our IAG page on this site www.creativeway.org.uk/quals.
A Progression Agreement is a formal arrangement between two or more
education providers. It spells out what a learner needs to do to be
considered for a place on a named programme of study. Progression Agreements
may vary in the conditions they specify but they all aim to give guaranteed
pathways into higher education.