BFA Programme in Metal Art
Summary
The programme allows you to develop your artistic expression and craftsmanship as you explore the possibilities of metal as an artistic material. As a student you will improve your skills in hot forging, fabrication, welding, sheet metal forming and casting in the largest academic metal workshop in the world. You have access to exchange opportunities, internships, and elective courses, to enabling your learning experience both within and outside of Sweden, and to tailor your studies to your specific artistic interests and career goals.
About
With only six–eight students accepted per year, we offer many opportunities for one-on-one learning with your teachers. Workshop space is shared with master’s students, providing even more possibilities for peer feedback and collaboration. You will explore the materials and methods, and your projects will push you artistically to develop your own voice within metal art. We encourage you to view this programme as part of a larger learning process, building from your previous skills and interests and providing a foundation for you to continue with further apprenticeship. We encourage our graduates to continue honing their skills in our master’s programme.
A collaborative learning process within society
Engaging in public art means engaging with the public and sites, for example the cooperation with the graveyard in Trollhättan. Students redefine what a memorial can be today and create new sepulchral rituals around the project. Many of the projects you will engage in cooperate with public places such as town squares, public gardens, or parks. Additionally, you will have the real-world experience of exposing the result of your projects in public.
Hands-on exploratory learning and artistic expression
Our workshop is the largest academic metal workshop in the world, and is located in a unique environment in Dals Långed, 170 kilometres north of Gothenburg. Here are excellent conditions for multifaceted, three-dimensional, experimental artistry, with projects often completed for commissioning clients and exhibitions. As a student of the programme, you will delve deeper into your artistic expression and craftsmanship as you explore contemporary metal arts and crafts in different contexts, from the practical—such as a public art project with specific parameters—to the exploratory—such as pursuing your own sculptural objects aimed toward gallery space and exhibiting. You will have the opportunity to show your work in a variety of public settings.
Well-rounded coursework
You will study visual interpretation, communication, theory, and history together with students from the other applied arts and design bachelor programs, and will have the opportunity to interact and be inspired by their work in the workshops. Through lectures, visiting instructors, workshops, and field trips, you will gain perspective and inspiration for your work and be able to relate it to theory. There are opportunities for national and international exchanges, competitions, and exhibitions that form the basis of future networks, such as our exchange programmes at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Hereford College of the Arts, and Estonian Academy of Arts in Tallinn.
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Programme structure and content
During the first year, you focus on advanced knowledge in machine and craft techniques, materials and expression. You will learn about the properties of materials, including less common metals such as stainless steel, copper and aluminium. You will develop your artistic voice and explore how your artistic idea interacts with social contexts.
The second year emphasises the relationship between the artist and the world around them. You will strengthen your artistic voice by participating in discussions in the fields of art, craft and design. You will also have the opportunity to participate in an exchange programme, choose elective courses and have more freedom in project work.
In your third year, you will independently undertake an elective course focussing on public and social interaction or an individual internship. Here you will have the opportunity to showcase your results in different public spaces. Project seminars will be organised to support you in the preparation of your final project. The spring term includes a 10-week thesis project culminating in a graduation exhibition.
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Who should apply?
Do you have an artistic background and want to develop your practical skills in the craft of metal art?
Are you an established metal crafter and want to develop your artistic side and learn to connect your work to theory?
Do you dream of showcasing your work in public and collaborating with other artists?
If you want to develop your artistic process and technical skills and begin your journey to becoming a master artist, then apply for the bachelor’s programme in Metal Art.
Prerequisites and selection
Entry requirements
General entry requirements + approved work sample. Exceptions may be made for Swedish when the language of instruction is English.
Portfolio
Find the portfolio instructions for the Bachelor's programme in Metal Art here:
More information about Portfolio
Selection
The selection is based on an assessment of submitted work samples and a personal interview.
After graduation
Graduates receive the degree Bachelor of Fine Arts in Metal Art.
We encourage our graduates to view this programme as part of a larger learning process, building from their previous skills and interests and providing a foundation to continue with further apprenticeship. Our programme culminates in a final project—a piece that demonstrates your skills. We encourage you to continue honing your craft in our master’s programme, which culminates in a master piece of work that reflects who you are as an artist and what you want to say. Both programmes encourage travel during your studies and after graduation in order to gain experience from other masters and inspiration from other locations and materials.
We will support you in your artistic journey based on your individual preferences and goals.
Facilities
Campus Steneby is a creative cultural and educational environment in Dals Långed, 170 kilometers north of Gothenburg.
In the workshop of 1200 square meters there are machines and equipment to enable you to work with different metals in larger formats. A selection of our machinery is forging hammers, drill press, vertical and horizontal band saws, lathes, mill, hydraulic shears, press brakes, plate roller, shrink/stretch, plasma cutters, English wheel, variety of welding methods, belt sanders etc.
Campus Steneby has it's own art gallery and library.
More information about facilities
Exchange opportunities
During the second year, you have the opportunity to do an exchange with another school through our international network.
