Victoria — Seducing nude models, sleeping all day, carousing all night and then creating, a Jackson-Pollock-esqe abstract that garners high marks from a has-been faculty member who plays favourites ... this is how the TV show Six Feet Under portrays the art school experience of student Claire Fisher.
The Ontario College of Art and Design's Sharp Centre for Design, designed by architect Will Alsop.
The Ontario College of Art and Design's Sharp Centre for Design, designed by architect Will Alsop.
This is a far cry from the reality, as art schools describe their aims: "A NSCAD education, more than anything else, teaches one to think critically, be analytical and equips one to find a solution to the problem at hand," says Terry Bailey, Director of Admissions and Enrolment Services at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design in Halifax.
In recognition of the academic rigours of some arts programs, some art schools have been given degree-granting status, though there are also many certificate- and diploma-granting colleges offering a more practically oriented arts education. Degrees granted include BA, BFA, BDes, MA, MFA, MAA, and PhD as well as interdisciplinary degrees.
Some may ask: What do art schools do?
The Ontario College of Art and Design (OCAD) has one answer for that: "At OCAD, we educate imaginations."
But before even answering that question, some art schools offer an answer for an even more basic question: What is art?
"Art is personal expression. Communication. A burst of creativity, or political commentary … Art can please us, disturb us, educate and shock us. Art challenges us. Art can reflect our reality, or hint at how things could be," according to NSCAD's on-line recruitment materials.
So, like other post-secondary institutions, art schools aim to educate the next generation wrestling with wider issues.
"I think post-secondary education is not necessarily … directly about training. I think what it does best [is give students] the ability to ask questions in a way that's meaningful … to navigate your way through life," says Catherine Wild, dean of Concordia University's faculty of fine arts in Montreal.
Concordia's fine arts offerings are many and wide-ranging, from art history, art education and creative arts therapy to design and computation arts.
"I think there are two ways that people go through university," says Dr. Wild. "Some people go through university with the full intention to become practising artists or practising historians or practising economists and others are simply pursuing a passion."
"These skills [critical thinking and problem solving ] are not bound to the world of visual arts, as visual culture touches every aspect of life. We stress the transferability of this thinking to any situation. The beauty of a combined theoretical and practical education is that one can recognize the problem and not only design a solution, but can build it as well," says NSCAD's Mr. Bailey
"This adaptability is extremely valuable in times when we need to be fearless in the face of adversity and have the creativity to meet challenges. Many of the processes and techniques utilized are quantifiable, but the key, I think, is that those with this type of education are fearless and relish in discovering new methodologies or applying existing, proven methodologies in new and innovative ways."
NSCAD was Canada's first degree-granting art school.
On the other side of the country, there's another well-known art school that grants degrees: Emily Carr University of Art and Design.
Although it has been able to grant degrees since 1989 and in its own name since 1994, Emily Carr just obtained university status in May, 2008.
"This is one of the most significant changes in the 83-year history of Emily Carr," said president and vice-chancellor Ron Burnett. "For universities, the advancement of knowledge is as important as its transmission."
Community colleges are another place offering fine arts education but it tends to be very practical and very particular. Ontario's Seneca College, for instance, offers two- and three-year programs such as graphic design, visual merchandising arts, game art and animation, fashion arts, and visual effects for film and television. Sheridan College's website says it is the second largest art school in North America and notes that two of its graduates have won Academy awards.
"The most important thing about education is … to have a level of engagement and passion attached to it. Most people are going to succeed if they're good at doing what they do and if you feel passionate about it you're more likely to be good at doing it." says Concordia's Dr. Wild.
FROM EAST TO WEST
NSCAD University, Halifax
History: Founded in 1887 by Anna Leonowens, one-time tutor to the children of the King of Siam (and inspiration for the musical The King and I) the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design has been granting degrees since 1969.
Grants: BA (bachelor of arts), BDes (bachelor of design), BFA (bachelor of fine arts), and MFA (master of fine arts) degrees, as well as a master in design (MDes) and visual arts certificates. In the works: MFA in film production.
Notable alumni and faculty: NSCAD alum (and former president) Garry Neill Kennedy is a winner of a Governor General's Award in Visual and Media Arts. The late stamp designer Lou Cable was a NSCAD grad. Famous NSCAD teachers include Arthur Lismer (principal from 1916 to 1919), Michael Snow and Joyce Wieland.
Take note: NSCAD has an innovative master in design, completed in three semesters contained in one calendar year. It has a "domestic" stream and an "international" stream; the latter constructed for Chinese students "who wish to study design in a North American context." It could well expand to include participants from other countries interested in a compacted graduate program in English.
More information: http://www.nscad.ns.ca/
Concordia University school of fine arts, Montreal
History: Concordia established the first master of fine arts program in the country. The faculty offers the only doctoral program in art education in the country.
Grants: BA, BFA, MA, MFA, and PhD degrees as well as graduate diplomas and certificates, a humanities doctoral program in interdisciplinary studies and special individualized programs.
Notable alumni: Rawi Hage, whose De Niro's Game garnered the IMPAC Literary award and whose Cockroach was nominated for a Giller Prize; Christine Jones, whose scenic design for the musical Spring Awakening was nominated for a Tony Award; Lynne Stopkewich, director of Kissed.
Take note: The university offers Canada's only two-year master-level degree in creative arts therapies. The art therapy department came into being in 1973 and morphed into creative arts therapies in 1997 with the addition of drama therapy. Concordia University will be offering a graduate certificate in music therapy as of September, 2009, and a master in creative arts therapies, music therapy option as of September, 2010 (both pending approval).
More information: http://finearts.concordia.ca/
The Ontario College of Art and Design (OCAD), Toronto
History: Established in 1876 by the Ontario Society of Artists. It was the first school in Canada dedicated exclusively to the education of professional artists in fine and commercial art. In 1996, it was renamed the Ontario College of Art & Design.
Grants: OCAD programs lead to a BFA or BDes and, as of this academic year, an MA, MFA or an executive master of design in advertising (MDes).
Notable alumni and faculty: The Group of Seven's Arthur Lismer and J.E.H. MacDonald were once vice-principal and principal, respectively. Many others have taught or studied at OCAD, including artists Fred Hagan, Jock Macdonald, Michael Snow, Graham Coughtry, Doris McCarthy, Gordon Rainer, as well as designers, such as Allan Fleming, who created the Canadian National Railway logo.
Take note: OCAD mixes studio-based education and academic studies. It introduced the Digital Futures Initiative (DFI) in 2007. The DFI helps OCAD create new opportunities for students to study art and design practice using emerging digital technologies.
More information: http://www.ocad.ca/
Alberta College of Art and Design, Calgary
History: Founded in 1926, ACAD has been granting degrees since 1995.
Grants: BDes, BFA and a post-diploma degree program (graduates who have been awarded a four-year diploma in visual arts from ACAD may apply to complete their BFA or BDes as a second credential).
Notable alumni: ACAD alumna Julia Reimer recently won the inaugural RBC Award for Glass (the award is co-sponsored by RBC and the Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery in Waterloo, Ont.). Alumnus Alex Janvier, who is of Dene and Saulteaux heritage, was recently awarded the Governor General's Award in Visual and Media Arts. In 1973, Mr. Janvier helped found what became known as the Indian Group of Seven and his work is in collections across Canada.
Take note: The Institute for the Creative Process at the Alberta College of Art + Design (ICP@ACAD) is unique in a Canadian post-secondary institution. It exists to study the creative process and to focus ACAD's efforts in a variety of fields, from community development to business.
More information: http://www.acad.ab.ca/
Emily Carr University, Vancouver
History: Emily Carr University was founded in 1925 as the Vancouver Art institute and is one of B.C.'s oldest post-secondary institutions.
Grants: The school, recently a university, grants BFA, a BDes, and master in applied arts (MAA).
Notable faculty: The faculty embraces both scholars and practising artists, including visual arts Governor General award winner Liz Magor and ceramicist Paul Mathieu, a winner of both the Jean Chalmers National Crafts Award and a Governor General's award.
Take note: ECU's master of applied arts (MAA) prepares students for what's needed to function well in many fields, including museums, art galleries, animation, film, new media, as well as gaming and design studios. It's a full-time program in visual arts, media or design that takes two years and includes a four-month summer internship at the half-way point.
More information: http://www.ecuad.ca/
Moira Dann
