New and original
ART ACADEMY LONDON launches a one-of-a-kind specialist BA in Contemporary Portraitur
ART ACA L was founded in 2000 to o er something di erent: the best of an old-school atelier combined with the vibrancy and diversity of a contemporary art school. From September 2022, a new o ering is their specialist BA in Contemporary Portraiture, the only BA of its kind in Europe, validated by The Open University. Students will be able to embrace the diversity of contemporary art practices while learning the technical and creative skills needed to become a portrait painter whilst it also o ers some of the highest contact hours of any higher education art course in the UK.
As well as helping you develop the in-depth technical skills needed to take your art practice forward, you’ll be encouraged to think critically about the wider theoretical and historical contexts of contemporary portraiture and apply that knowledge to your practical work.
To further add to your study, you’ll have access to lectures and talks by eminent visiting artists, open access to the print studio, a session learning to sculpt a portrait head (and access to further sculpture classes) and can drop into Open Life sessions on weekend mornings. You can also take advantage of free places on other evening, weekend and short courses (these are available at the discretion of the Academy and subject to availability).
There are three stages to the BA (Hons) Contemporary Portraiture, which you can complete in three years (full time) or six years (part-time), and there are four main components to the BA:
● Studio Practice modules where you’ll develop a series of projects in response to various briefs. These modules are taught through one-to-one tutorials, group critiques, workshops, lectures and practical work in a studio.
● Elective Skills Workshop courses where you receive intensive training in the technical skills you need to develop your creative vision and directly support your Studio Practice modules.
● Art History, Cultural and Contextual Studies modules designed to build your wider knowledge through studying and analysing artistic discourses and theories, and modern and contemporary practice.
● Professional Development Modules focusing on the skills and knowledge necessary for future employment in the arts and creative industries.
By the time you graduate, you’ll have the condence and ability to exhibit your work, take on commissions, apply for further study and nd work in the creative industries.
They welcome all enthusiastic candidates to apply and want to make sure as many students as possible can access the highquality ne art education they provide. As part of this, they o er bursaries to help with tuition fees which you may be eligible for.
If you are interested in studying with Art Academy London, please email academiccourses@artacademy.org.uk or call +44 (0) 20 7407 6969 to discuss their courses further or arrange a visit.
“The Contemporary Portrait BA is an exciting, brand new degree course. It’s pretty unique as it not only focuses on traditional methods of portrait painting but also explores innovative ways to question what a portrait is or can be. Our students cultivate rich, exciting practices that prepare them for professional careers as artists.”
Sadie Lee, Contemporary Portraiture Pathway Leader