Visual Arts (2 year Diploma)
The primary the aim of the course is to help students to understand the differences and similarities between the various art & design disciplines. This course will also attempt to recognize how the various disciplines interact with each other especially within the context of contemporary society and the redefinition of art & design in general.
Language of teaching: Greek/English
Program of study accredited by The Cyprus Agency of Quality Assurance and Accreditation in Higher Education (CYQAA).
The qualification that is awarded after the successful completion of this program of study is the Diploma in Visual Arts. It is registered and accredited by the Ministry of Education and Culture in Cyprus.
The primary aim of the program is to help students understand the differences and similarities between the various art & design disciplines. The program will also attempt to recognise how the various disciplines interrelate and interact with each other especially within the context of the contemporary society and the redefinition of the visual arts in general. This is also the major objective of the first semester, which is achieved through the introduction to the various specialisations of the visual arts (fine and applied arts).
Specifically, the introduction to the fine arts includes mainly the specialisations of painting, sculpture, printmaking, photography, ceramics, digital art and the multidimensional approach to fine arts. Respectively the introduction to the applied arts includes interior design, fashion design, textile design, graphic design and illustration, jewellery design, stage and costume design and animation.
History of art and theories, life drawing and business studies are an integrated part of both years of the program.
Once the students manage to distinguish, understand and comprehend all that is involved in each of the above specialisations in the visual arts, the aim then would be to consciously select the specific pathway they wish to specialise in during the second year of the course. Through studio-based learning, which is the most efficient art and design teaching method, students develop their skills, their ability to research, experiment and generate creative ideas and results. They can develop and express their visions, through a multidimensional approach to art and design. They experiment with ideas and products such as images, objects and techniques. Their development is ongoing throughout the two years of the course and the teaching is continuous and personalised.
Students have the opportunity to develop their knowledge and skills through elective and compulsory courses including:
- Research, record, synthesis in Visual Arts
- Introduction to VISUAL ARTS/FINE ART
- Introduction to VISUAL ARTS/APPLIED ARTS
- Exploration of CHOSEN Pathway:
- Digital art
- Photography
- Sculpture
- Painting
- Printmaking
- Ceramics
- 3D design
- Fashion design
- Creative Textiles
- Moving image
- Professional Development
- Multidimensional approach to Visual Arts
- CRITICAL & CONTEXTUAL STUDIES
> The primary aim of the program is to help students under- stand the differences and similarities between the various art & design disciplines. Also attempts to recognise how the various disciplines interact with each other especially within the context of the contemporary society and through the redefinition of the arts in general.
> Within the context of the program, the students will be taught of the importance of research, how to produce and invent innovative ideas and how to develop them in order to express their personal visions, through a multidimensional approach. They will experiment with ideas and products such as images, objects and techniques.
> Develop students’ perception and understandings of the prospects and requirements of the study of the visual arts (fine and applied arts) so that they can set realistic individual goals.
> Introduction and understanding of the main specialisations such as painting, sculpture, printmaking, photography, fashion design, textile design, graphic arts & illustration, jewellery and 3D design of objects, ceramics, stage and costume design, interior decoration, animation etc and then the specialisation in their chosen pathway.
> To offer innovative holistic education, from which the students will be able to choose the appropriate pathway for specialisation and begin to specialise for at least one academic year.
> To broaden the students’ ability for independent judgment and to integrate several applications of art and design always in relation to career potential and progress.
> Once the students manage to distinguish, understand and realise all that are involved in each of the specialisations in art & design, the aim then would be to consciously select the specific pathway that they will specialise in during the second year of the course.
> Through studio-based learning, which is the most efficient art and design teaching method, students will develop their skills and their ability to research, experiment and generate creative and innovative ideas and results. The development of the students will be ongoing throughout the two years of the course and the teach- ing will be continuous and focused on the individual.
> Develop the students’ ability in creative production through theoretical and practical cultivation and independent learning.
To develop the students’ ability to learn to develop their skills and capabilities for independent research, experimentation, development of ideas and methodologies, analysis, evaluation and critical thinking.
> To develop the students’ ability in creative making, exploring and experimenting methods with intentions and setting personal aims.
> To develop their critical perception of the contemporary visual world and of all related images through the teaching and analysis of broader theoretical approaches, both in relation to current art theories and in more comprehensive analysis of the historical-cultural context.
> To promote the student’s continuous evolutionary artistic cultivation and growth.
> To provide students with the necessary level of skills and knowledge in order to successfully communicate and translate their creative ideas and thoughts into artworks they can present verbally, visually and in writing.
> To contribute to the aspiration for Cyprus to be established as a technological and educational center of excellence both within Europe and beyond and for the excellent quality of higher education on offer. To also contribute to the international promotion of the contemporary artistic production produced in Cyprus.
> Our vision, when creating Aigaia, was to contribute to the effort of establishing a contemporary art culture in Cyprus as a natural evolution of the Hellenic cultural traditions and history of Cyprus and the extended Mediterranean region. To promote special characteristics for example the light and the colour that is particular to Cypriot natural environment, the culture, traditional arts and everything that makes up our cultural identity.
> To create distinct artistic personalities who will be able to apply their knowledge and creative thinking in any area of the Visual Arts or in any type of work they choose to become involved with.
Students are offered a place after the examination of their application and presentation of their portfolio of artwork.
• Each candidate must be a graduate from secondary education or a graduate of an equivalent educational institution. They should be able to present their portfolio in a personal interview that demonstrates the inclination, interest and experience in the areas of fine and/or applied arts. This is the main and most important admission requirement. This is also for deter- mining the level of each prospective student.
• All candidates are evaluated separately by the Admissions Committee where a decision is made.
• Success in IGCSE, IELTS or TOEFL English language examinations, is a prerequisite for admission of students to courses taught in English. For studying courses taught in Greek, by foreign students, it is necessary to hold a title for such examination in the Greek Language, or attendance for at least one year in a Greek-speaking school and/or attendance to Greek-language courses.
For the registration students have to present the following:
• Completion and submission of the application form including a signed declaration by parents or any other person responsible for the payment of the student’s tuition fees.
• Certified copy of secondary education certificate (Lyceum or equivalent institution)
• Birth certificate
• Payment of the appropriate registration fee.
Continuous assessment throughout each course, end of semester evaluation, and evaluation at the end of the entire program of study, written and / or verbal, evaluation through presentations, tutorials and discus- sions. Aigaia School of Art teaching is primarily based on a practical and studio-based learning methodology.
Being as such, at the end of semester assessments for the practical courses, students are not graded but evaluated against specific assessment criteria applicable to each course. All criteria must be fully fulfilled otherwise the students are referred for resubmission.
The Final Major project at the end of semester 4 is graded: For the assessment of the final major project and hence for the successful completion of the program of study at the end of the 2nd year (or at the end of the 4th semester), students are graded with Pass, Merit or Distinction. Only the theoretical courses are graded at semesters 1,2 & 3.
All students are required to attend all evaluations/ assessments.
All credits achieved are equivalent to ECTS. For the successful completion of the two-year course, each student needs to achieve 120 ECTS.
The teaching methodology is interactive with a student-centred approach where students are invited to develop skills and acquire knowledge through research, visual presentations and discussions. This will enable students to gain experience in creative development and experimentation in response to a given brief.
Discussion is encouraged throughout all courses. At the end of each semester, students will present the process and development of their artistic proposals, which will include sketches, photos, and generally the whole process of the experimentation, the design and the production of the outcomes.
- Develop the students’ perception and understanding concerning the prospects and requirements of the studies in the visual arts so they can set individual realistic goals.
- Introduction and understanding of the main disciplines of art & design such as painting, sculpture, printmaking, photography, fashion design, textile design, graphic arts & illustration, jewellery and 3D design of objects and spaces, ceramics, stage and costume design, animation and interior design and the then specialisation to the chosen pathway.
- Developing the ability of students in creative productivity through theoretical and practical cultivation and independent learning.
- Enhance the ability of independent judgment, to assimilate the various applications of fine art, design and crafts always with regards to career choices and career development.
- To develop the students’ ability in creative making, exploring and experimenting methods with intentions and setting personal aims.
- Develop independent creative learning abilities for creating and presenting their own work and also presenting other creative individuals and their artworks.
- To negotiate and present authentic proposals and innovative solutions to artistic problems.
- To research and create appropriate records and present the management of their research in appropriate forms and from appropriate sources.
- Develop ideas and create archives that show the continuous development of themes, always within the context of different assignments.
- Produce ideas that emerge from the analysis of their research as a whole, taking into account all factors affecting the pathway of their specialisation.
- Studying the work of other creative individuals in relation to the cultural environment they were produced and taking into account relevant theories and philosophies.
- Presenting their work at any stage and to any person or audience, generating a discussion of ideas.
- Ability to exhibit the final result of the program with professionalism in an appropriate space and in an appropriate way.
- Continuous recording, reflection, analysis, evaluation and feedback for future development and achievement of set goals in an appropriate form and language demonstrating critical thinking and theoretical background.
- Understand those practices related to the potential of employment of young people within the creative industry.
- Be able to promote their projects and their artwork in general through various media and platforms, to create websites, presentations, business proposals for partnerships, job applications in the areas of their interest.
- To become familiar with the meaning and context of Cyprus folk art and traditions, including oral traditions and expressions, as well as to enhance students’ ability to find information and become inspired from the local intangible culture.
- Written analysis and evaluation of all the stages of the creative process. Also gain proper behavior through the course of work in terms of time management, planning and discipline for work.
- Promoting continuous evolutionary visual culture cultivation and personal artistic development and creation.
- Provide students with the skills, knowledge and level necessary to successfully communicate and translate their creative ideas and thoughts into works of art that can be presented visually, in writing and verbally.
• Students are assessed or graded at the end of the respective semester for the courses they were taught.
• The assessments schedule is announced by the school in good time.
• All students are required to attend all evaluations/ assessments.
• Those students who are absent (without a good cause claim) from the evaluations/ assessments and those who fail, are referred to a new assessment date according to the school’s regulations and procedures regarding student assessment, progression, promotion and graduation and listed in the curriculum.
• The assessments for the theoretical courses are either written or verbal.
• A student can be unsuccessful and having to repeat the same course because of insufficient attendance (20% or more absences).
According to all assessment, progression and promotion regulations and procedures, to complete the program of study and graduate, a student must have achieved at least a Pass in the assessment of the Final Major Project.
Diploma Final Major Project grades are as follows:
Pass, Merit, Distinction
Registration: €500
The registration fee is payable with the acceptance of a place on the course.
Yearly fees: €6500
The above amount is for full-time studies.
• The payment terms are agreed on a personal basis with the students and their parents.
• Part-time tuition fees will be calculated according to each student’s attendance and will be paid monthly.
10% discount on tuition fees:
– To students with Cypriot nationality, from large families with at least 4 children
– To students part of the same family, regardless of nationality
– To students who are a legally married couple, regardless of nationality – In any other case, the school decides necessary.
Aigaia School of Art and Design has decided to establish a scholarship program, in memory of the honorary Director of the Academic Staff of Aigaia school of art & design, Dr Costas Hadjistefanou. The scholarship consists of the full coverage of the fees and is provided for one academic year, with the possibility of renewing for the following years of study. The scholarship is offered only to Greek Cypriots, students of Aigaia School, under strict academic and socio-economic criteria.
His contribution to Education and Culture and generally to our society in Cyprus is invaluable. Profoundly knowledgeable of the Greek language, Culture and Education, he devoted his life to it. His ongoing purpose was to establish the Greek language and Education in Cyprus, offering himself completely and truly, with unlimited time and effort, educating and cultivating the new generation, offering knowledge from his rich spiritual world. In this context and spirit, Costas Hadjistefanou supported the efforts and contributed actively to the creation of Aigaia School of Art and Design based on a solid pedagogical and healthy academic basis.