Guidelines of independent artistic work at the Academy of Fine Arts
Independent artistic work is work that the student plans and carries out independently; either alone or as a part of a group. Help and support is provided by teachers and technicians.
Independent artistic work
Independent artistic work is an essential part of visual artists’ education. Students develop their own expression through artistic work and learn the processes, working methods and tools that their work requires. Artistic work involves experimenting with different materials and techniques, designing and sketching works, searching for material, as well as other research related to the process.
In the teaching provided by the Academy of Fine Arts, the artistic process is supported and monitored under the supervision of teachers. The artistic work is outlined together with the supervising teacher, and its progress is monitored in artistic work seminars and studio visits.
Execution
Independent artistic work is work that the student plans and carries out independently; either alone or as a part of a group. Help and support is provided by teachers and technicians.
Artistic work will be planned in advance, at the beginning of the term, in a personal study plan (PSP) discussion the student has with the supervising teacher. It is possible for the student to emphasise different types of studies in different terms; sometimes the student can concentrate on courses, while during other terms the focus can be on independent artistic work.
Monitoring
The more independent work the student plans to take, the more closely the results of independent artistic work are monitored. If the student plans to complete studies as independent artistic activities, he/she must meet with the supervising teacher at least twice each term. Courses also support the work as well as studio visits by other teachers. Technical help is available from the technicians in the various subject areas as well as the different clinics. If the student plans to complete more than 15 credits per term in independent artistic work, studio visits for teachers must be arranged at least three times a term. Students will set up the visits with the teachers.
If the work is only being planned, the student can write about the process, show sketches or describe the process in some other way. It is a good idea to keep a working journal on your artistic work. Taking notes during studio visits is also recommended, and the teacher can ask the student to communicate his/her thoughts about the instruction afterwards.
Study credits for independent artistic work
A maximum of 98 credits of the Bachelor’s degree can be taken in independent artistic work. The credits for independent artistic work are allocated under Elective studies in the study register. When completing a Master’s degree, 15 credits of independent artistic work must be completed as compulsory studies, and in addition, the student can complete independent artistic work of a maximum of 33 credits as elective studies. The maximum amount of independent artistic work per term is 28 credits and students can only include one or two such terms in their studies in order to complete all other mandatory courses. The recommended amount of independent work during one term is 10–20 credits.
Studio visits at the Academy of Fine Arts
What is a studio visit?
Independent artistic work forms an essential part of the BFA and MFA curriculum. Studio visits are intended to help the student develop their independent artistic practice and to support their personal growth as an artist. The studio visit is a dialogue-based teaching event, and it lasts for 45 minutes, unless otherwise agreed. The teacher/visitor and the student will meet in a place where the student produces their artworks or engages in an artistic process. During the visit, the student has the opportunity to present their unfinished and/or finished works to the teacher and receive feedback on them.
Objectives of the studio visit
The objective of the studio visit is to engage in a collaborative reflection and analysis of the foundations of the student’s artistic practice and to help the student develop their artistic thinking and long-term working processes. The mentoring allows the student to develop and reflect upon their independent artistic practice and identity. The discussions may also help the student plan their individual study paths. The teacher’s task is to encourage the student and to discuss their artistic practice and the progress of their works in a constructive way.
Studio visits make it possible to discuss the student’s independent artistic practice respectfully and analytically and to contextualise their practice in a broader framework. By placing the discussions next to the artworks, the student and the teacher can interpret and expound upon the meanings related to the works. The teacher’s unprejudiced attitude towards the student’s practice makes it possible to engage in experimentation and leaves room for not-knowing.
Studio visits make it possible to discuss the student’s independent artistic practice respectfully and analytically and to contextualise their practice in a broader framework. By placing the discussions next to the artworks, the student and the teacher can interpret and expound upon the meanings related to the works. The teacher’s unprejudiced attitude towards the student’s practice makes it possible to engage in experimentation and leaves room for not-knowing.
The studio visits are organised in accordance with Uniarts Helsinki’s Code of Conduct. Paying close attention to ethical questions is particularly important in the context of the studio visit due to the sensitive nature of the interaction. Please consult the Code of Conduct before the studio visit with particular emphasis on pedagogical interaction.
Student’s checklist
Make sure that you arrive to the meeting on time. If you are unable to attend, remember to cancel the studio visit well in advance so that another student can reserve the scheduled visit. Prepare for the studio visit by thinking about the works and/or artistic concepts or ideas that you would like to discuss. If you do not know the teacher beforehand, it might be a good idea to become acquainted with their artistic and/other work before the visit. It is advisable to take notes of the things discussed during the studio visit.
Receiving credits for independent artistic work
Independent artistic work is assessed in each subject area in a credit tour or a similar appraisal procedure for each semester. The evaluation of independent artistic work is based on a self-reflective report delivered by the student and an assessment of the student’s personal progress by the teaching staff.
For the evaluation, the students need to prepare a report (a PDF file), which includes the following components:
- A pictorial or verbal documentation of all independent artistic work carried out during the semester, including background research and other intangible work (e.g. background literature, lectures, exhibitions etc.).
- A self-assessment of the things learned during the semester and the progress of the student’s independent artistic work.
- A short report on studio visits. If the student wants to be awarded more than 15 cr/semester for independent artistic work, they must have had at least three studio visits during the semester. It is expected that at least one of these studio visits will be within the student’s subject area.
- A summary of the courses taken during the semester and the credits awarded for the coursework as well as a self-assessment of the time spent on independent artistic work (1 cr. corresponds to 27 hours of work towards achieving the learning goals). The students should gain cirka 30 credits per term in order to proceed with their studies on schedule.