All NSCAD campuses closed at noon, February 24, 2024 due to freezing rain. All campuses will reopen at 9 a.m. on February 25.

Foundation

This exploratory, interdisciplinary year equips you with the critical skills needed to thrive in an art school environment.

During this time, students have a chance to not only learn more about their own artistic interests, but also broaden their horizons by learning about the unknown, experimenting with the unconventional and expanding their skills.

What To Expect

Foundation students take four required FNDN courses: Introduction to Studio Practice, Introduction to Visual Culture, Writing for the Arts and Drawing I. Foundation students then select a total of six courses of their choice at the 1000-level from the divisions of fine art, craft, design and media art. For a description of the courses available to Foundation students, please visit the Academic Calendar.

Foundation students then select a total of six courses of their choice at the 1000-level from the divisions of fine art, craft, design and media art. For a description of the courses available to Foundation students, please visit the Academic Calendar.

During your Foundation Year, You'll Learn:

– The vocabulary of visual arts
– How to give and received critical feedback
– Observational drawing
– Colour theory
– Composition
– How to give and receive critical feedback
– Observational drawing
– Colour theory
– Composition 2D and 3D design
– Academic writing and analytical skills
– Visual culture studies

 

The Foundation Year is intense and challenging, but also fun and interactive. Students will finish the year confident and ready to start making choices about their future studies.

Program Courses

Introduction to Studio Practice

This course introduces the formal elements, organizing principles and creative processes in the visual arts, with special attention paid to colour theory. Students work primarily in two-dimensional formats on studio projects that address issues of form and meaning.

Introduction to Visual Culture

 

This course focuses on how visual images and objects function within various cultural contexts. The production and reception of visual material are examined within historical and social contexts.

Writing for the arts

This course prepares students for the writing required in other courses at NSCAD. Frequent writing and editing assignments will address clarity, focus, and logical development of ideas within the language of art, craft and design.

Drawing I

This course introduces fundamental skills of representation in drawing. Spatial awareness will be emphasized through the study of proportion, perspective, line quality, contour, positive and negative shapes, value and volume. Drawing from observation will be the primary focus of exercises and assignments. A variety of media will be introduced.

Introduction to Studio Practice

This course introduces the formal elements, organizing principles and creative processes in the visual arts, with special attention paid to colour theory. Students work primarily in two-dimensional formats on studio projects that address issues of form and meaning.

Introduction to Visual Culture

This course focuses on how visual images and objects function within various cultural contexts. The production and reception of visual material are examined within historical and social contexts.

Writing for the arts

This course prepares students for the writing required in other courses at the College. Frequent writing and editing assignments will address clarity, focus, and logical development of ideas within the language of art, craft and design.

Bachelor of Fine Arts, Major in Film

Our extensive Film program offers you an opportunity to explore the practice, history, theory and analysis of film production and film art. The program combines comprehensive course options in different film production techniques with an academic overview to the history a theory of film arts. Our film program provides you with a broad understanding of the film production process, as well as the opportunity to create and develop your own projects.

Please visit the Academic Calendar for a description of all of the courses available during your Foundation Year and the rest of your undergraduate career.

Want to know more about the foundation year? Check out the program requirements here.