Fine Art (Placement Year) BA (Hons)

Unleash your ideas and develop your artistic expression through Fine Art at Lancaster. You will develop a unique contemporary art practice that engages with current ideas and issues to make valuable contributions to environment, culture and community. Through workshops and technical demonstrations, you’ll deepen your understanding of materials and techniques, ready to turn your ideas into impactful contemporary art.<br/><br/><strong>Why Lancaster?</strong><br/>• Take a highly distinctive programme that combines fine art practice with the study of contemporary ideas and art movements<br/><br/><br/><br/>• Take advantage of your own dedicated studio space available 24/7, with expert technical support on hand<br/><br/><br/><br/>• Work with tutors who are practicing artists and scholars, exhibiting and publishing their work across a range of fine art ideas and mediums<br/><br/><br/><br/>• Join a supportive community of staff and students committed to making art relevant today, helping you build connections that will shape your future in the art industry<br/><br/><br/><br/>• Study in Lancaster, a vibrant and inspiring hub of award-winning arts festivals, events and places of cultural significance<br/><br/><br/><br/><strong>Bring your vision to life</strong><br/>Fine Art at Lancaster is about finding your voice and deciding what matters to you in today’s art landscape. With engaging seminars in art history and theory, we’ll support you in shaping your values and understanding the evolving role of art. As you develop these ideas in your own studio practice, discover how contemporary art can be bold, disruptive, and meaningful.<br/><br/>You will be challenged to broaden your understanding of contemporary Fine Art, via a wide range of hands-on projects and skills-based workshops. Previously, students have worked on live briefs in partnership with arts organisations such as Deco Publique, Good Things Collective, Maritime Museum, FACT Liverpool and Lancaster Arts.<br/><br/>Discover how experimenting with painting, drawing, sculpture, installation, video, digital art, and their many hybrids, can drive your creative impulse. Work with diverse mediums in our purpose-built studios that include high tech seminar facilities, a digital art lab, installation spaces, and fully equipped workshops. Tailor your learning experience by picking how you want to specialise, focusing on one or two art mediums or continuing to explore different mediums. Study cutting-edge techniques along the way and preparing to make your own impact.<br/><br/><strong>A thriving creative community</strong><br/>Your tutors are professional artists who are exhibiting, curating and writing across a range of art and ideas, including high profile residencies and commissions in museums, galleries and cultural industries worldwide.<br/><br/>Your tutors have exhibited at the likes of the Henry Moore Institute, the Foreman Art Gallery Canada and Hong Kong Art Fair. Some have won awards such as The Royal Scottish Academy William Littlejohn Award 2024 and the John Muir Trust Creative Freedom Award for 3d work 2024, as well as commissioned work for organisations such as The National Trust, FutureEverything and the Dumfries House Royal Drawing School.<br/><br/>Lancaster is a hub of art and cultural activity, home to award-winning festivals such as, Lancaster Words and Litfest literary festivals and the stunning Light Up Lancaster festival of art and light. Many art events take place on Lancaster’s inspiring campus, and the University regularly partners with independent theatre The Dukes and The Storey arts centre to host exhibitions.<br/><br/>Whilst building lifelong connections with artists, external partners, tutors and other students in the School of Art, you’ll also develop your own distinct and independent style.<br/><br/><strong>Your Placement Year</strong><br/>Sometimes known as a year in industry, your placement year will take place between your second and final year of study and this will extend your degree to four years.<br/><br/><strong>Important Information</strong><br/>For the most up-to-date course information and more details, we recommend that you revisit our website before submitting your application.