<Faculty of Fine Arts

Admission

Please refer to the Admission section of this calendar for general information on admission requirements and procedures.

Applicant Evaluation Procedures

In addition to the regular requirements for admission to the University, the Faculty of Fine Arts requires an evaluation of an applicant's suitability for many of its programs. The requirements for each department are detailed below. In order to be evaluated, a candidate must have applied for admission to the Faculty of Fine Arts.

For details on the process leading to an appointment for an evaluation interview/audition and for further information regarding the evaluation procedures, refer to the Faculty of Fine Arts Web site: http://www.yorku.ca/finearts/. Invitations to attend an evaluation interview/audition may be contingent on an applicant's previous or current year's grade point average. For general information concerning the Faculty of Fine Arts, contact Student and Academic Services, 201 Joan and Martin Goldfarb Centre for Fine Arts, 416-736-5135.

Applicants who reside outside the Greater Toronto Area should contact the department or Student and Academic Services to enquire about alternate arrangements for the audition/evaluation. Several departments hold auditions in selected major cities across Canada, appointments and details for which can be obtained by contacting the department offices.

Program in Fine Arts Cultural Studies

Applicants are required to complete a questionnaire designed to demonstrate their general background, various interests in the fine arts disciplines and writing ability. An interview is not required, but may be granted if requested.

For an evaluation/application questionnaire, please visit the Fine Arts Web site at http://www.yorku.ca/finearts or contact the Fine Arts Cultural Studies Program Office at 416-736-5822 (facs@yorku.ca).

Department of Dance

BFA applicants are required to audition for the department. The audition consists of a short class in modern dance, ballet and improvisation taught by dance faculty followed by a personal interview. Out-of-town applicants unable to attend an audition may be evaluated by submitting a video in VHS format and three letters of reference.

Admission to the BA in dance is based on grades alone. No supplemental evaluation is required.

For further information visit the Fine Arts Web site at http://www.yorku.ca/finearts or contact the Department of Dance, 416-736-5137 (dance@yorku.ca).

Department of Design

The final selection of qualified candidates is based on the ranking of three criteria: overall academic results, a questionnaire and a portfolio. Questionnaires will be provided to all applicants to the program. Selected candidates invited to an interview must bring a portfolio of creative work, with detailed documentation. Specific requirements will be forwarded to the selected candidates. The interviews will focus upon the applicants' understanding of communications design and their conceptual, visual and communications abilities. For further information, please visit the Fine Arts Web site at http://www.yorku.ca/finearts or contact the Department of Design, 416-736-5885 (ysdn@yorku.ca).

Department of Film & Video

All BFA applicants will be mailed a supplementary application package, including a questionnaire. Applicants will be asked to complete the questionnaire which is designed to assess suitability for the program. Selected candidates will then be asked to attend a personal interview. For a supplementary application package and/or further information, please contact the Department of Film & Video, 416-736-5149 (flmvideo@yorku.ca). An early application is strongly recommended. For further information, please visit the Fine Arts Web site at http://www.yorku.ca/finearts/.

Admission to the BA in film history, criticism and theory is based on grades alone. No supplemental evaluation is required.

Department of Music

All applicants will be mailed an evaluation package including written instructions, a brief theory test, and a copy of the department handbook. Applicants are asked to submit a recording of two contrasting pieces, demonstrating their abilities and interests on the instrument(s) of choice. One piece on a secondary instrument is recommended but not required. Recordings or scores of original compositions or arrangements are also welcome. Recordings may be submitted on audio, videotape or DAT. Applicants will be asked to submit a 500-word letter of intent outlining their reasons for applying, future plans, and commenting on two of their favourite music recordings. For further information, please contact the Department of Music, 416-736-5242 (musicprg@yorku.ca) or visit the Fine Arts Web site at http://www.yorku.ca/finearts/.

Department of Theatre

All applicants will automatically be mailed an evaluation package to help prepare for the evaluation appointment. Applicants are evaluated on the basis of the following:

• A questionnaire focusing on their background in theatre. This is not a theatrical skills assessment, but rather an opportunity for applicants to express themselves and exhibit their interest in theatre.
• A public oral presentation of no more than three minutes. This presentation could take many forms: for instance, a monologue from a play; or a talk about a production recently seen, directed or designed; or information about a play written by the applicant, or a reading from it giving the background to the work. The Department of Theatre needs to ascertain how applicants present themselves in public, how they perform, or how they speak about some aspect of theatre. All applicants -- no matter what their area of prime interest -- must be prepared to make this public presentation. Therefore, this should be planned in advance.
• A brief personal interview. Normally the questionnaire/presentation/interview process will take place during a half-day visit to the Keele campus or in another location closer to the applicant's home town. If there are significant reasons that an applicant cannot attend a personal interview/evaluation, the applicant should discuss with the department other evaluation methods, such as video auditions, portfolio or written submissions and/or telephone interviews.

Successful applicants will be expected to complete a medical questionnaire prior to beginning classes.

If further information is required, please contact the Department of Theatre at 416-736-5172 (theatre@yorku.ca) or visit the Fine Arts Web site at http://www.yorku.ca/finearts/.

Department of Visual Arts

All BFA applicants will automatically be sent an evaluation package. This provides applicants with an opportunity to outline related background and interests. Selected studio applicants will be invited to show a portfolio of six pieces including a sketchbook, idea-book or journal. Applicants are encouraged to show variety in their work; no fewer than two different media should be represented. There will also be a personal interview with one of the department's instructors. Art history applicants are not required to submit a portfolio but have the option of a personal interview.

Admission to the BA in art history is based on grades alone. No supplemental evaluation is required.

For information about the departmental evaluation process please visit the Faculty of Fine Arts Web site: http://www.yorku.ca/finearts or contact the Department of Visual Arts, 416-650-8191 (visarts@yorku.ca).

Second Degree Candidates

Students who hold a degree from an accredited institution may apply to the Faculty of Fine Arts to obtain a second undergraduate degree in a different discipline. Students who hold a BA degree (not an Honours degree) from another accredited institution may apply to the Faculty of Fine Arts to obtain an Honours degree in the same discipline. In all cases, second degree candidates are required to:

• complete a minimum of 30 additional credits at York University in accordance with the Faculty of Fine Arts residency requirement (courses taken as part of the first degree cannot be used to satisfy this requirement);
• fulfill all the requirements of the new major and minor programs; general education and elective requirements are waived.

The in-Faculty requirement should be regarded as the minimum number of additional courses; depending on the program selected and the amount of credit awarded for previous studies, the actual number of courses required for a second degree may well exceed that number.

No student will be permitted to pursue a second Honours degree in the same discipline.

Degree Reclassification

A student who has completed a York University BA degree (90 credit program) in the Faculty of Fine Arts may continue, after graduation, in a BA Honours program in the same subject area or in a BA Honours Double Major or Honours Major/Minor program including the same subject area, provided the cumulative and major grade point average are those required for the Honours program. A student who wishes to pursue a BFA Honours in the same field of study, may continue in the second degree, subject to the approval of the Faculty of Fine Arts, by submitting a change of degree form to the Registrar's Office. Please note that students who are approved by the Faculty to proceed, would normally receive 90 credits towards the BFA Honours in the same subject area.

A student who wishes to pursue a second BFA Honours or BA Honours in a different field of study must apply to the Admissions Office for admission as a second degree candidate. The deadline to apply for fall admission is June 1.