Fine Arts Education Programme code: W6-S1EP19.2025

The artistic education in fine arts studies guarantee the acquisition of skills and knowledge of a qualified artist – an artist, capable of independently taking up artistic challenges and creatively solving various artistic issues with awareness of their artistic, cultural, civilizational and social context. In addition, education is aimed at shaping conscious recipients of art and design who are able to express justified critical opinions and educate others in this area. The graduate is prepared to take up creative professional work as an animator of creative activities in centers and institutions of culture, art and extracurricular education, in the mass media, as well as promotional and advertising structures. Is aware of the practical determinants of artistic disciplines and is able to creatively apply them in educational activities and dissemination of art, is prepared for educational cooperation with both children and individualsThey are aware of the practical determinants of artistic disciplines and can creatively apply them in educational activities and dissemination of art, they are prepared for educational cooperation with both children and adults. The basis of the curriculum is the holistic development of the student's skills, knowledge and competences in the field of art. The programme is part of the concept of universal education, not strictly limited to a selected field – thus referring to the contemporary concepts of art didactics in Western countries, but also to the concept of correspondence of arts – "total art", which is close to the Polish tradition. Despite the fact that specific specialisations have been distinguished, the student is ready to take on challenges in the broadly understood so-called edu-art. The developed educational system allows for the formation of student attitudes focused on dialogue, friendly recognition of partners, cooperation and openness to differences of opinions, beliefs and views. It allows you to fully identify yourself in the context of art-creativity and society, while at the same time feeling the value of differences. Educationality in art must assume shaping in tolerance and the main conviction about the role of ethical values. The above assumptions translate directly into the specializations of applied Arts and fine Arts. The specializations complement universal education with a practical aspect. Taking up the challenges of developing utilitarian projects enriches the concept of creative development with a social aspect. It also teaches formal discipline and how to take up artistic challenges taking into account a specific context (cultural, civilizational, etc.).The artistic education in the field of fine Arts studies educate and develop independent creative thinking, shape innovative attitudes, provide reliable and comprehensive knowledge of the issues of art, including the latest artistic and exhibition achievements and concepts, as well as the workshop and technological specificity of the specialisation. The curriculum includes general artistic, graphic and information technology preparation. A lot of importance is attached to theoretical modules, allowing students to go beyond the beaten paths of art and expand their awareness, which harmonizes with the profile of a graduate ready to undertake educational tasks. The studies prepare you to defend your bachelor's degree and take up master's studies. They end with a bachelor's degree. Year I is an introductory year with the same program for both specialties. It includes general art and field education as part of the foundations of both specializations. Classes in the history and theory of art are conducted. In the second year, the student chooses a specialisation by starting classes in selected blocks of specialisation modules. It also continues some of the modules from semesters 1 and 2. Year III is used to prepare a diploma artistic project in a selected specialty. Students prepare a written work thematically related to the artistic diploma project and constituting a form of in-depth self-commentary. The Faculty of Arts and Educational Sciences, within which the studies are conducted, has a very well-prepared didactic base with specialized studios, including extensive technical and apparatus facilities, ceramics, artistic glass, visual structures, design, printmaking, digital graphics, multimedia and photography, drawing, painting and sculpture, etc. and an experienced and qualified staff of teachers with recognized artistic and scientific achievements.The graduate's qualifications are consistent with the needs of the labour market. Thorough general artistic preparation, the ability to creatively transpose various issues into the language of art, high awareness of artistic and applied issues in the field of art, the developed need to improve oneself and good adaptation to the changing needs of the market as well as social and cultural life and the challenges of civilization make the graduate attractive to potential employers or able to undertake their own professional and artistic activity.

The condition for admission to the diploma examination is to achieve the learning outcomes provided for in the study program, to obtain a certificate of an appropriate level of language proficiency in a foreign language and to obtain positive grades for the diploma dissertation. The condition for graduation is to pass the diploma examination with at least a satisfactory result. A graduate receives a higher education diploma confirming obtaining the qualifications of the appropriate degree. Detailed rules of the diploma process and the requirements for the diploma thesis are set out in the Rules and Regulations of Studies at the University of Silesia and the diploma regulations.

The direction is fully consistent with the Mission of the University of Silesia adopted by the Senate of UŚ and the new Development Strategy of the University of Silesia in Katowice for the years 2020-2025.According to the fundamental assumptions of the strategy, the program is closely linked to research - artistic activities conducted at the Faculty of Art and Education Sciences. Quoting the UŚ Strategy: "Didactics constitutes the essence of the university as a place of transmitting knowledge, skills, and academic values to successive generations of students and doctoral candidates. At a research university, education at the highest level is connected with ongoing research." In reference to the UN Agenda for Sustainable Development 2030 - tasks 4.7 and 11.4. Thus, the program aligns with the priority operational goals, particularly 1. (increasing the impact of the university's scientific activities on the development of science) and 3. (raising the quality of education for students and doctoral candidates); Within the strategic area: EDUCATION, the educational offer aims to establish a closer link with research activities and actions under Goal 1: 1. 1. (Optimization of directions and programs of studies and postgraduate studies considering the development directions of higher education in the world and the needs of: educational candidates and students, the labor market, modern education).2. (Fundamental differentiation of education in bachelor's and master's studies assuming that the diploma thesis, aimed at solving a research problem, is the central module of education in master's studies).3. (Development of the assumptions for teacher education). 4. (Creation of interdisciplinary fields of study and postgraduate studies covering socially important areas). 6.(Increasing the connection of study programs with applied scientific research through collaboration with employers, including enabling internships with those employers). Goal 3, which is individualization of education and project-based problem-solving. Actions: 1. (Providing individual research support and tailored study programs for the most talented students, modeled on the program implemented at the College of Individual Interdisciplinary Studies, in conjunction with Goal 1 in the area of education). and 2. (Developing pathways for interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary education and education in cooperation with external entities).A careful analysis of global trends and the demand for new ways of teaching art, as well as the needs of the socio-economic environment, encourages the development of the field of art education in order to create an innovative direction, with specializations in applied arts and fine arts. This is a concept that transforms the existing assumptions of art education as a field training art teachers towards a holistic education in art, taking into account attractive specializations and unique skills, knowledge, and competencies that can provide a foundation for an attractive profession for graduates. According to the assumptions of the Strategy, 'study programs are created with the educational needs of students in mind, responding to labor market needs, while also allowing students to acquire universal knowledge and skills appropriate for university education. (…) Programs are created with consideration of POB research issues, the expectations of the socio-economic environment and employers, as well as global challenges. Artistic education is a modern educational offer that harmonizes with contemporary concepts of art education. It transforms the traditional education of art students specialized in specific, narrow disciplines into a holistic project based on creative searching for artistic and practical solutions. It is a strict implementation of the postulate formulated in the UŚ Mission: 'curricula serve not only to acquire professional knowledge but above all to shape creative attitudes towards the world.' This is how we see the students and graduates of Artistic Education — as creative, conscious individuals striving for continuous improvement and well-responding to the changing needs of the market as well as social, cultural, and civilizational challenges.They will also be aware consumers of art and design who can express justified critical opinions and educate others in this area. Quoting the Mission of the University of Silesia: "The principle guiding the University's operation is the pursuit of continuously opening new cognitive horizons." The educational program, largely based on developing projects that consider the utilitarian aspect, allows for shaping student attitudes focused on dialogue, friendly recognition of partners, collaboration, and openness to differing opinions, beliefs, and views. It allows one to identify oneself in the context of art-creation and society, while simultaneously feeling the value that differences represent. The educational aspect of art must aim at fostering tolerance and a fundamental belief in the role of ethical values. Referencing once again the Mission of the University of Silesia:„(…) the condition for good work and positive educational outcomes is the effort put into shaping a creative attitude towards reality. The task of educational activities is to unleash the skill of asking questions and subsequently seeking answers together. The closer the answer is related to the student's independent reflection, the more the mission of the University is fulfilled (…). This is facilitated by the establishment of new, more flexible teaching programs, as well as the opportunity to combine several fields of study. Study programs should encompass the most diverse and varied possibilities for acquiring knowledge, in accordance with the demand in the job market, but they should also cultivate a sense of intellectual and professional flexibility combined with openness to the necessity of continuous education and a readiness for retraining or expanding knowledge depending on life or professional context.”Market observation of education suggests that artistic education, along with the two specializations of fine arts and applied arts, will be well-received by candidates and students, making the program a distinguishing feature of the University in the educational market. For graduates, it will become an opportunity to obtain attractive jobs. Education in the two specializations allows students to significantly individualize their learning path and tailor it to their own academic, artistic preferences, and dream career, which directly responds to the statement in the UŚ Strategy: "Students have the opportunity to freely choose education modules within the department's offer and can establish scientific cooperation with mentors." It is worth mentioning that the concept of the program is based on the achievements of the faculty of Arts and Education Sciences and the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities.For years, courses in the fields of sculpture, painting, drawing, graphics, artistic workshops, ceramics, artistic glass, photography, as well as interdisciplinary and unique activities, and also in art sciences have been conducted. The creative and practically enriched character of the program will significantly enhance the opportunities for collaboration with external stakeholders who wish to cooperate in the areas of both specialties. The artistic education program significantly enriches the educational offerings of the Faculty of Art and Educational Sciences — it will integrate the academic community of the entire Cieszyn Campus as well as the city and region, in accordance with the assumptions of the UŚ Strategy: "Cooperation with the economic environment is undertaken. (...) Active transfer of scientific achievements to the economy takes place. University towns participate in the life of the University and support it in strategic actions. (...)"The university collaborates with schools. It plays a cultural role, serving to inspire critical and creative thinking. It organizes educational and cultural events addressed to the local community, which support the comprehensive development of the individual, create social bonds, and emphasize the importance of reflection on individual and collective identity.