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.
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
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.
Beate - Stop Motion (2016)