The Painting master's degree is a full-time course. The programme of 120 credits is split over two academic years. This is a programme that will enable you to attain a high level of practical expertise and provide you with knowledge of technical or scientific disciplines, and how to apply them.
Cohesion in the programme
Within the master's programme you are given plenty of space to put your own process, work and/or artistic practice centre stage. However, the resulting research ranges from purely looking inwards to reacting to social themes and developments. By thinking as an artist and conducting research, you create connections between a range of disciplines and study components. Cohesion in the FMI masters research environment is generated by the following types of artistic research: research for the purpose of developing your own work (investigation in both a practical and theoretical sense, focusing on form, meanings and context); research for the purpose of developing your own artistic system (reflection); and research into and through the artwork.
Your study programme is composed of a substructure and a superstructure, phrases which feature more conceptual learning routes (knowledge of the disciplines) and more integral learning routes (problem-oriented learning processes) respectively. Cohesion in the programme is also achieved by placing your professional practice and your performance in your professional practice centre stage for the duration of your studies.
Eligibility
In principle, the course is suitable both for students who have just completed their bachelor's degree and are capable of conducting research independently and in a broad context, and artists who have already been working as professionals at bachelor level for several years. In both situations your study programme offers you the desired conceptual deepening and broadening of professional skills, and the frameworks for research.
Course composition: Activity, reflection and research
There are three programme components: the studio programme, the theory programme and projects. In the studio programme, on the basis of a flexible work plan, you work on your own oeuvre. You are supervised by a team of core lecturers, semester lecturers and guest lecturers. They visit you in your studio, and together you discuss your work and working methods. For the theory programme, in consultation with the lecturer, you compose the lecture programme you wish to follow at the University of Groningen. Every semester you enter the research topics you want to explore into your research planner. Every month a round table discussion is held, led by the theory lecturer, on a subject relevant to all students. There are also seminars (group discussions). Every semester has a project programme. This may be a workshop, masterclass, symposium, excursion or exhibition.
The Painting master's degree takes two years and is subdivided into four semesters. In the first semester the focus is on playing and experimenting with ideas and exploring opportunities, which leads to new or innovative images, working methods and techniques. The result is then subjected to critical reflection. Because you are constantly encouraged to contemplate your own work and working practices, you increasingly gain awareness of your artistic starting points. In the second semester the focus is on reflecting on your own artistic criteria, collecting and combining materials, and developing your own theme. The central element of the third semester is developing your artistic system and reflecting upon your artistic mindset.
Final project
The fourth semester is mostly taken up with preparing for graduation. We also concentrate on communication, and your relationship with the art world and society.
The course concludes with you presenting the results of your studio research and your theoretical thesis. You present both of these in the form of a public exhibition. An excellent thesis may also be recommended for the academy prize.