The Faculty of Humanities is strengthening its commitment to the fine arts at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

A new proposed bachelor of fine arts will allow humanities to expand its offerings in its outstanding studio art program. A new master of fine arts program would be the only graduate program in the School of the Arts and would connect with the burgeoning local arts community while enhancing its national reputation.

"In 2008-09, studio art and art history underwent undergraduate program reviews that identified their many strengths as well as areas of potential growth," said Suzanne Crosta, dean of humanities. "Since then the Faculty has spent considerable time deciding how to provide the best opportunities for students, develop programs that build on faculty expertise, and meet the resource needs of the Faculty. I believe we've found the best way forward and appreciate the commitment so many people have made to the process of developing the plan."

The new programs would see the stand-alone art history program phased out, although art history will be a central component of the bachelor of fine arts. Students will also continue to have the option to take a minor in art history and art history faculty will continue to offer courses. All students currently enrolled in art history will be offered all the necessary courses to complete their degrees over the next three years.

The new direction will permit the studio art program to expand in exciting directions, including the hiring of new faculty and additional opportunities to bring together studio artists, art historians and curators from the McMaster Museum of Art.

"McMaster's studio art program has long been among the most desired programs in the province, attracting exceptional students and producing outstanding work," says Keith Kinder, director of the School of the Arts.

"The proposed new bachelor of fine arts is a fitting acknowledgement of this high quality teaching and artistic production. The proposed master of fine arts will be a natural outgrowth of the undergraduate program providing a new breadth of opportunities for student and faculty research."

The proposal is now moving through the University's approval process. The transformation of the programs is expected to be complete in three years.

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