What is Art?

For centuries different philosophers and Art critics have tried to define Art but its complexity could never get to a solo, universal definition. Some value Art for its aesthetics, others for its creative process, while others for its cultural heritage or its socio-political impact. Some critics are happy enough with having an intriguing concept in order to qualify a piece of work as an Art. 

Studying Art at post-secondary allows students to challenge their own definition of Art and expose themselves to its various forms locally and internationally - widening their horizons from the traditional forms of painting, drawing or sculpture, to more contemporary forms of photography, digital manipulation, sound works, performance art and installation work. In due course, students will be invited to experiment themselves with these forms in order to experience the full creative process from its initial stages of brainstorming of different ideas, to studying their area of investigation verbally and visually, experiment with different media and finally realise their chosen area in a fully-fedged work. 

Studying Art at Advanced Level

Art at Advanced level is a body of knowledge and a series of activities. Fundamentally, learning in Art has four major components:

• Art Production: making art - expressing oneself through the creative process of investigation, experimentation and analysis while practising and developing good visual communication and technical skills through media like: drawing, painting, collaging, photomontaging, printing, sculpting, video art, photography, and digital manipulations;
• Art Criticism: appreciating, responding to and making judgments about the properties and qualities that exist in visual forms while given the opportunity for peer-feedback; 
• Art History: acquiring knowledge about the contributions artists and art make to culture and society while getting acquainted with appropriate artistic terminology and making comparisons between different artistic periods, styles and artworks;
• Aesthetics: understanding the nature, meaning, and value of art.

This will equip students with the right skills to pursue any artistic career from a freelance artist; to an art critic; gallerist, curator at a museum or of ongoing exhibitions; art animator at creative spaces, art historian, designer (advertising / fashion / interior and landscaping), art educator, restorer, illustrator, conservator, artistic production managers and art policy makers.

Advanced level students are provided with six hours of Art practice at one of our studios and a one-hour History of Art lecture per week. We also provide personal contact hours as needed.

Studying Art at Intermediate Level

Art at Intermediate level also focuses on the four major components of Art Production; Art Criticism; Art History and Aesthetics. However it is a less intense course when compared to the advanced and hence it would be ideal for anyone who would like to pursue a career in areas like: architecture, web design, game design and would therefore need to study Art as a supplementary subject.

Intermediate level students are provided with two hours of Art practice at one of our studios and a one-hour History of Art lecture per week. We also provide personal contact hours as needed.

Listen to the episodes about Creative Arts at the College from the Junior College radio programme Mill-Kulleġġ:

(the episodes are in the Maltese language)

Serje 1 - Programm 7: L-Arti Kreattiva fil-Kulleġġ - Roderick Vassallo, Marcelle Theuma, Olivianne Farrugia 

Serje 4 - Programm 4: L-Arti - Olivianne Farrugia

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