Fine Arts is more than just an academic subject or field of study;
it is simultaneously a life orientation and a pathway to a professional career.

Interested in studying Fine Arts?

Submit your portfolio online by 30 September

Applications open 1 April

Digital Portfolio Requirements

The Department of Fine Arts is lenient with regard to what is submitted in the portfolio, and the following are only suggestions. However, the portfolio must consist of no less than eight works of art and no more than ten.

No physical portfolios are accepted. This form allows you to upload photographs or scans of your artworks. Please include high-quality photographs so that your artworks are presented accurately.

The main consideration is that the artworks are creative, imaginative, and display technical expertise. Please select your strongest artworks.

Media that are accepted, but not limited to:
Please take note that at least two traditional drawings made by hand (in charcoal or pencil, for example) are required.
PLEASE TAKE NOTE THAT NO AI-GENERATED ART WILL BE ACCEPTED AND YOUR APPLICATION WILL BE DISQUALIFIED. It is important for us to be able to see what you are able to do.
You are also welcome to add your Instagram or social media pages if you have artworks on them.

Some suggestions of artworks to be included in the portfolio:

• Drawing
• Digital art
• Mixed-media
• Painting
• Photography
• Printmaking
• Sculpture
• Sound art
• Video art
• A drawing in pencil or charcoal depicting form and space, such as a still life or a landscape
• A drawing in pastel or coloured pencil depicting form and space, such as a still life or a landscape
• A drawing of a human figure, observed from life and not copied from a photograph
• A self-portrait observed using a mirror

Fine Arts and Visual Arts studies embrace the holistic development of individuals, particularly with regard to their innovative abilities, critical artistic judgement, creative skills, problem-solving capabilities, and the power of imagination. These underlying principles of artistic activities can be applied to all aspects of life. Students are immersed in all aspects of the visual creative process and are guided by knowledgeable and experienced lecturers who are accomplished artists.

The Department of Fine Arts is dynamically aligned with international Visual Arts standards and practices, while still insistent on maintaining a unique character rooted in its specific cultural, geographical, and traditional contexts.

Our lecturers, students, and alumni consistently excel as Visual Arts practitioners on national and international stages. Their accomplishments are particularly exceptional in light of the fact that Bloemfontein as a region is relatively isolated from the country's main art centres.

Fine Arts is a selection-based course, which ensures relatively small class sizes. This allows our students to receive ample individual attention, contributing to a well-rounded academic experience. This positive aspect has been recognized on multiple occasions by national and international professional artists as well as academics from other universities.

Land Art Project with Professor Willem Boshoff

Our department has partnered with Modern Art Projects South Africa (MAPSA) to host an annual Land Art artist residency project for second-year BA Fine Arts students in Richmond, Northern Cape, under the guidance of Professor and esteemed artist Willem Boshoff. Land Art as an artistic medium is strengthened by the unique landscape of the Karoo. This medium of artmaking is also considerate of and values alternative knowledge structures and ‘learning from the South African landscape’ which is integral to our departments continuing goals of transformation and renewal. The week-long project in the Karoo is approached like a mini-residency to introduce students to professional practices while they are still studying, supporting their development, and nurturing a reflective artistic practice.

View previous projects by students

18_Nthabiseng Seturumane_Mom sitting copy

The BA Fine Arts programme is a selection course.

Applying for BA Fine Arts is a 2-step process:
1. Prospective students must apply to the University of the Free State and
2. To our department by submitting an online portfolio by 30 September by following this link

Please note that our programme has entry requirements that you must adhere to, and you should be accepted by both our department and the University of the Free State in order to study BA Fine Arts.

Contact

T: +27 51 401 2282
E: FineArts@ufs.ac.za
Facebook: Fine Arts Department

Instagram: @ufsfinearts

Academic Head of Department

Prof Janine Allen
T: +27 51 401 7406
E: AllenJ@ufs.ac.za

Programme Director (Acting)

Johandi du Plessis-Kleynhans
T: +27 51 401 9616
E: DuPlessisJ6@ufs.ac.za

Programme Director

Lyrene Kühn-Botma
T: +27 51 4013156
E: KuhnL@ufs.ac.za

Address

Fine Arts Department
University of the Free State
205 Nelson Mandela Drive
Bloemfontein

Find us here on Google Maps!

Beate - Stop Motion (2016)

FACULTY CONTACT

T: +27 51 401 2240 or humanities@ufs.ac.za

Postgraduate:
Marizanne Cloete: +27 51 401 2592

Undergraduate:
Neliswa Motebang: +27 51 401 2536
Phyllis Masilo: +27 51 401 9683
Thandeka Deeuw: +27 51 401 5460

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Interested in studying Fine Arts?Submit your portfolio online by 30 September