Bachelor of Arts in Creative Arts

• Study period 3 years
• Department Faculty of Faroese Language and Literature
• Number of students Approximately 15
• ECTS 120
• Tuition fees (Full-time studies) Free of charge for citizens of the Kingdom of Denmark and other Nordic countries
• Tuition fees (single course) 200 DKK/ECTS

Aim

The degree serves both a practical and a theoretical purpose. On the one hand, the degree is meant to equip students with the practical competences that are necessary to carry out independent artistic work in the students’ chosen domain. On the other hand, the degree is also meant to provide the students with fundamental theoretical knowledge that will enable them to think analytically about their own creative practice and art in general.

Structure

The degree is 2/3 practical and 1/3 theoretical and is divided into two tracks: creative writing and music. One part of the curriculum consists of joint courses attended by all students. The other part is contingent on which track the student chooses to follow.

Organisation of degree

The degree takes three years to complete and is composed of courses where the students partly follow a fixed curriculum and partly follow an individualised course of study. The degree is characterised by the interweaving of theory and practical experience. From the beginning, students gradually develop their ability to apply theoretical knowledge in artistic practice. Students are invited both to specialise in a particular artistic discipline and to take on projects that cross traditional boundaries segmenting the arts. Student interested in both music and creative writing are invited to follow the teaching on both tracks.

The first semester is comprised of three courses, two of which represent the practical component of the degree and one which represents the theoretical component. One half of the practical instruction takes place in workshops which help the students master the craft of their chosen discipline. The other half is devoted to independent work which emphasises and promotes the students’ own creative process. A joint course in aesthetics constitutes the theoretical component of the semester.

The second and third semesters follow the same basic template. New concepts and methods are introduced in the workshops while the independent work builds on the work done during the previous semester. The theoretical part contains both joint courses attended by all students and courses which are specific to the track chosen by the student.

The fourth semester differs from the prior semesters in that more emphasis is placed on artistic cooperation. Rather than working on individual projects, the students are given a task that they have to complete collaboratively. Students in creative writing collaborate on making an anthology containing their own texts. Students in music collaborate on a music production containing own pieces of music.

Students have the option to spend the fifth semester as an exchange student at one of the programme’s international partner institutions. Alternatively, students can apply to undertake a work placement in the Faroe Islands or abroad.
During the sixth semester, students complete their final project and a thesis. Two thirds of the time are devoted to completing the final project which is an original piece of writing or music. The remaining time is reserved for writing a thesis which presents a theoretical reflection on the topic of the final project.

Content

The subject area is creative arts understood in a wide sense that includes both the creation, interpretation, and performance of works of art. The practical component of the degree focuses on workshop production both within the student’s chosen artistic discipline and across different disciplines. The theoretical component focuses on knowledge about art in the domains of literature, musicology, and aesthetics.

The workshops in music introduce the students to tonal theory, harmony, composition, song writing, arranging, music technology and other relevant subjects. The workshops in creative writing introduce the students to different genres of writing, narratology, storytelling, style, close reading, as well as translation.

The independent work provides the students with an opportunity to develop an individual artistic identity. Group instruction and individual tuition form a setting for analysing and discussing the students’ own work. The students develop the ability to take a critical stance to their own work and to provide constructive criticism of the work of others.

The theoretical component includes lectures and seminars in aesthetics, literature, literary theory, music history, and musicology. The students gain insight into the contexts and connections which have shaped their artistic discipline and acquire theoretical tools enabling them to analyse art from different perspectives.

The final project and thesis are intended as the main contents of a portfolio documenting the student’s artistic ability vis-à-vis future employers and other educational institutions. The final project results in an original piece of literature or music whereas the associated thesis considers that work and the preceding creative process from a theoretical point of view. A supervisor oversees the completion of both tasks.

Examinations

Examinations are held twice a year. Winter exams take place in December and January. Summer exams take place in May and June. Re-examinations and make-up exams are held during the spring and autumn.

Eligibility to sit exams is conditional on active participation in classes.

Admissions requirements

Admission via quota 1 is conditional on completion of the General Upper Secondary School Leaving Certificate. If the application is submitted via quota 2, other qualifications of a comparable level may be approved after further evaluation.

In addition, admission to the programme requires the submission of a work sample which demonstrates sufficient artistic ability in either creative writing or music. Applications for creative writing must be accompanied by five pages of writing. Applications for music must be accompanied by scores and/or recordings of up to five minutes. Applicants should also submit a personal statement of about one page which describes their artistic practice. For each discipline, a committee counting three members evaluates the material accompanying the application.

The deadline for both quota 1 and quota 2 is June 1.

Future prospects

The degree provides a foundation for independent artistic practice as well as employment in the music industry, cultural institutions, and the media. The degree also refines transferable skills such as creative thinking, self-initiative, and effective communication that can be applied in a wide range of further contexts.

Continuing education

Upon successful completion of the BA degree, students can apply to MA programmes at other educational institutions. Admission to further studies is subject to the rules and regulations of the admitting institution.

Further information

For more information, please contact list@setur.fo