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Concordia University

Painting and Drawing (BFA)

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Degree
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)
Department
Studio Arts
Faculty
Faculty of Fine Arts

Program overview Program structure Admission criteria After your degree

Program type
Major
Primary campus
Sir George Williams (SGW)
Duration
3 to 4 years
Start term
Fall

Program overview Program structure Admission criteria After your degree

Why study Painting and Drawing?

Painting and Drawing fuses traditional expertise and technique with cutting-edge contemporary approaches to artmaking. In this program, you can study virtually every approach to painting and drawing, from traditional oil painting to graphic novel production and 3D spatial installation. Your technical, formal and conceptual skills will be developed through focused studio production and instruction in theory, art history and cultural studies.

Drawing incorporates a wide array of materials and explores gesture, mark making, the construction of visual space, as well as symbol and storytelling. In Painting classes, you will explore colour use, paint application, tools and techniques along with the formal language of painting and its use in abstract, figurative and hybrid/expanded modes.

As active professional artists engaged at both an international and local level, our faculty bring insight into the exciting and complex world of art. You will gain the ability to think creatively and critically and to materialize your ideas in visual form. These skills sets, along with the development of visual literacy and expertise, can be applied to multiple professions in the visual arts. 

Program highlights

  • Student-centered emphasis on finding your artists’ voice, rather than following an academic model
  • Each course is taught by a working artist with their own unique perspective

Program structure

A Bachelor of Fine Arts degree takes a minimum of three or four years (90 – 120 credits) of full-time study, depending on your academic background.

Program option

  • Major in Painting and Drawing (60 credits)
See the full degree requirements in the Undergraduate Calendar

Courses

See all Studio Arts course descriptions in the Undergraduate Calendar

United States students: A U.S. Federal Student Aid-eligible version of this program is offered. This version meets all U.S. regulations (such as no co-operative education or e-courses) for eligible programs.

Get the full details about U.S. loan eligibility and requirements

Admission criteria

This program is available for Fall admission only.

Minimum cut-off averages and course requirements

You must meet Concordia’s minimum admission requirements

Minimum cut-off averages should be used as indicators. The cut-off data may change depending on the applicant pool. Applicants who meet the stated minimum requirements are not guaranteed admission to these programs.

Additional requirements for admission

  • Letter of Intent
  • Portfolio

Portfolio / Letter of intent

The portfolio of artwork for admission to a Studio Arts program should be a collection of your best and most recent work in visual arts. It should represent your individual interests, abilities and explorations. Consider visual, conceptual, and technical proficiency in selecting your best and most recent work.

If you are applying to more than one Fine Arts program, be sure to submit a separate portfolio for each program choice.

Your portfolio should contain:

  • Minimum number of portfolio items: 15.
  • Maximum number of portfolio items: 20.
  • Each portfolio item must be a single digital file.
  • Either recently completed or currently in progress. 
  • Include work that demonstrates your ability to work in a variety of media, in both two and three dimensions. Examples include drawings, paintings, prints, collage and other mixed media work, sculpture, ceramics, and fibres work.
  • You may also include photographs, animation, film, video, audio recordings, and documentation of performance art.
  • Please tailor your portfolio to the specific program area to which you are applying.
  • Your work should show evidence of both technical skill and conceptual development. Basic abilities in drawing, composition and color-use must be demonstrated.
  • You may not submit your portfolio via email or through other websites.  

Letter of intent

Your letter of intent should be no longer than one page and written in English or French. In general, it should describe your educational background and any relevant experience in art, as well as your expectations in relation to the programs to which you are applying.

  • What are your reasons for applying to this program? If you are particularly interested in an area within Studio Arts, please indicate why.
  • Describe your educational background and any relevant experience.
  • What are your goals and expectations in relation to this program?
See portfolio submission procedures

Application deadlines

We consider complete applications year round and give priority to applicants who apply by official deadlines.

Fall term

FALL TERM

March 1 is the deadline to apply for fall term entry. International students are encouraged to apply by February 1 to allow sufficient time for CAQ and study permit application processing.

Late applications will be considered if places are still available. Please check program availability for the term, before you start your application.

Winter term

WINTER

Admission to this program is available for the Fall Term only.

We reserve the right to close admission to a program at any time after the official deadline without prior notice.

After your degree

Your degree can lead to many paths such as:

  • Practising artist
  • Gallery or museum curator/docent
  • Commercial artist
  • Graphic designer/Graphic novelist
  • Medical illustrator
  • Arts administrator
  • Exhibition designer
  • Graduate studies in visual art

Student story

Adriana Balaban

Adriana Balaban

Major in Painting and Drawing

Former engineer Adriana Balaban finds new path in fine arts at Concordia.

Check out more student stories

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View program details

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