The purpose of arts education is not to produce more artists, though that is a by-product. The real purpose of arts education is to create complete human beings capable of leading successful and productive lives in a free society. Dana Gioia
If you are well-versed in the Malaysian public education system, you’ll realise that Visual Arts Studies (Pendidikan Seni Visual) is a mandatory subject in primary and secondary schools.
While it is not often listed as the core subject in public examinations like Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) and Sijil Tinggi Pengajian Malaysia (STPM), it’s safe to say that every Malaysian has attended at least 11 years of formal art education for free.
The Visual Art Studies subject is often viewed as a bridge to cultivate creativity and imagination in the midst of heavy subjects like the Sciences, Mathematics and Languages.
So, if your favourite subject has always been arts and you’ve constantly been passionate about painting or drawing, then why don’t you try to enrol in a proper art school to perfect your craft in painting and visual arts?
Graduating from an accredited art academy will grant you the essential skills needed to succeed as an accomplished artist and even to set up your art studio or own exhibition in the near future.
This article will guide you systematically on how to enrol for a fine-art/visual art programme in Malaysia.
Is Art School For You?
First things first. You need to be honest with yourself by asking this question. Here are some pointers to help you decide if you should proceed with art for your tertiary education.
Qualities of a Future Art Student
Intend to become an art student and potential professional artist? Have a look to see if you tick the following boxes.
- You always have a spare notebook for constant doodling or colouring when you are feeling bored in class.
- During your spare time, you can spend all day sketching and painting based on an art reference and only come out from your room once you are done (or at least 70% satisfied). The latest celebrity news or sports event do not amuse you one bit.
- Your mind is constantly active with images, colours and motions revolving around them. At times, it is as if there is a movie that flashes in front of your eyes when you are “in the zone.”
- Your trivia and general knowledge involve the latest happenings in the art scene. You are constantly following the updates of Malaysian artists like Red Hong Yi on Instagram and can even tell the difference between various oil paintings on your Pinterest account.
- During school vacations, you are actively searching for the nearest art and painting workshop near you to diversify your art techniques. You always feel that there are always so many workshops and so little time.
- If you ever leave the house without a sketchbook and drawing pencils, it means the sun has risen from the west.
Source: Tatler Malaysia
Do you find yourself nodding to the majority of the given statements? If the answer is YES, it means that art academies are your next calling.
The next step revolves researching for the right programme and art academy that matches your needs and preferences in terms of learning modules, affordability, teaching quality and industrial collaborations.
Every year, thousands of students apply to enrol at some of the most prestigious art and design academies and faculty of arts in the country. You’ll be surprised that a wide range of undergraduate degree programs and postgraduate art courses are offered on a regular basis according to different semester intakes.
Having said that, it’s important to be intentional and well-prepared before you enrol for an art-related programme. Upon application, you should have mastered the basic knowledge of different drawing and painting techniques.
Check out this article if online painting lessons are your cup of tea.
Step-by-Step Educational Pathway To Enrol In An Art Programme For Your Tertiary Studies Locally
Now that you have reviewed all the necessary qualities to have a smooth progression at art schools, here is the step-by-step guide to successfully registering in an art academy or faculty in Malaysia.
Step 1: Register for the Visual Arts Studies subject (Pendidikan Seni Visual) for your SPM
Whether you are currently a Science stream or Art stream student, you can still register to sit the Pendidikan Seni Visual as an elective subject for your SPM exams.
This decision will give you a good head start in terms of basic drawing and painting techniques. You’ll also be trained to produce a piece of art within a designated time – a very important skill for future artists if you ask us especially when you need to thrive on deadlines.
Step 2: Choose a Foundation in Arts and Design programme/Take Pendidikan Seni Visual For Your Form Six studies
After completing your secondary education, you can either opt for a private pre-university programme such as a Foundation programme in Arts or a Diploma in Fine Arts.
Likewise, if you prefer to take the public education tertiary studies route, you can continue to take the STPM Seni Visual subject during your Form Six studies.
Photo by Elena Mozhvilo on Unsplash
Step 3: Directly register for the Diploma in Fine Arts programme
If you are firm and clear from the get-go to pursue fine arts, we highly recommend you to take a Diploma in Fine Arts programme. That’s because a Diploma programme is an accredited programme that allows you to seek employment after graduation and it is also covered under the PTPTN loan application, unlike a Foundation programme.
In other words, it is more affordable and student-friendly in the long run.
Step 4: Proceed to enrol in a Fine Arts degree after your Pre-University studies
Upon finishing your Foundation/STPM or Diploma programmes, you can continue to enrol in a Fine Arts degree with a Painting specialisation.
If education and teaching are your passion, you can even pursue postgraduate studies in Fine Art/Painting after completing your degree.
How To Choose From Many Art Schools and Art Universities In Malaysia?
This is where your research skill (or Googling talent) kicks in. Compare and review the institutions that fit what you are looking for rather than sending your application and portfolio to all the art schools and art universities in the country. Prioritize efficiency and accuracy!
Attend education fairs and talk to the education counsellor to find out more about the entry requirements and portfolio assessments before finalising your application. In today’s fast-paced world, it’s all about prioritizing efficiency and accuracy!
Photo by KOBU Agency on Unsplash
During the discussion with the person in charge or lecturers of the programme, you will gain a better understanding of what the respective programmes can offer you and how your drawing and painting techniques can be developed during your years of studies there.
Having said that, each further education and higher education art institution will have its own specialisms:
- Painting (Oil painting, watercolour, acrylic painting etc)
- Mixed Media
- Fine Art
- Graphic Art
- Visual Art
- Visual Communication and Computer Graphics
- Computer Animation
- Spatial Design
- Photography
- Illustration
- Ceramics
- Textiles
Take your time to find the best programmes and core modules that work best for you!
Furthermore, don’t forget to explore the industrial and career opportunities of the programmes that you intend to go into. Some of the careers that you can venture into the range from freelancer, painter, illustrator, sculptor, designer, carpenter, engraver, and graphic designer to caricaturist and photographer...
In the meantime, feel free to explore the experiences of taking various art workshops at painting associations
Thinking of brushing up your painting and art skills now? Continue reading to find out where to find a reliable private tutor.
Securing A Strong Foundation And Diverse Art Skills With An Art Tutor
While you have weekly visual arts lessons in school, it is understandable that a group of you might want extra guidance and personalised lessons to take your art skills to the next level.
After all, if you aspire to be a professional artist and painter who regularly produces commissioned work, you’ll need to stand out among the rest and be memorable.
How nice would it be if you can receive direct feedback and constructive criticism to enhance your art skills from the get-go so that you will have a seamless transition during your tertiary education later? If we are being honest, there’s a higher expectation for students who choose to directly apply for an art programme.
At Superprof Malaysia, we assure you that you will be able to find a painting/art tutor with various industrial and teaching experiences at an affordable price too.
Just follow these few steps.
- Step 1: After keying in “Painting/Art” as your desired subject and your preferred location, review and compare the tutors’ profiles in terms of their hourly rates, qualifications, past students’ reviews and portfolio if any)
- Step 2: As soon as you have confirmed your desired tutor, directly contact your tutor to discuss your needs for the lessons. You can do so through the private messaging option on the tutor’s profile.You can opt for the Student Subscription Plan (at only RM25) to have unlimited access to all the tutors that offer their lessons at Superprof. At the same time, you can also start finalizing the number of lessons, and the lesson schedules and confirm your availability.
- Step 3: Start getting ready for your first lesson with your Superprof tutor from the comfort of your home or your discussed location. Remember that Superprof provides home tutoring and online tutoring options from various cities in Malaysia. Some of the covered cities include:
- Ipoh
- Johor Bahru
- Kuala Lumpur
- Kuching
- Miri
- Kangar
- Petaling Jaya
- Subang Jaya
- Seremban
- Shah Alam and many more
Also, most Superprof tutors offer their first lesson for free. So don’t miss out on this great opportunity!
Universities/Institutions That Offer Fine Art Programmes In Malaysia
After building a strong foundation in your art skills, it’s time to start hunting for a good art programme after reviewing the relevant details based on your research.
Looking for a second opinion?
Here are four local educational institutions that you can enrol in for a Fine Art Diploma/Degree.
Whether you are looking for a private or a public institution, we got you covered in the recommendations below.
Malaysian Institute of Art (MIA)
First on our list is MIA. This institution is located in Ampang, Kuala Lumpur.
Under the Diploma in Fine Art programme, students will get to learn the following core modules such as:
- Painting 1,2,3,4,5
- Art and Design Fundamentals
- Figure Drawing
- Fundamental of Art Criticism
- History of Art and many more
Even though it is a diploma programme, this is a 3 years intensive and in-depth course that equips students for the industry.
Applicants need to submit two drawing to be reviewed before they will be accepted by the programme.
The total fee for the programme is RM33,000.
The One Academy
A private art and design institution in Petaling Jaya, The One Academy is quite a household name among aspiring art students in Malaysia.
Also a 3 years diploma course, students will master the following modules:
- Oil Painting
- Water Colour
- Life Drawing
- Colour Studies
- Art Marketing and other electives
Important tip: In terms of the entry requirements for Diploma programmes in Malaysia, applicants need to have at least 3 credits for their SPM (must pass History and Malay language) and also pass the portfolio review or drawing test that is conducted by the institution.
Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash
Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Penang
You can apply for the Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Fine Arts at USM after your STPM studies.
Over the course of three years, you will study a wide range of subjects:
- Basic Painting
- Foundation of 2 Dimensional Studies
- Theory and Method in History of Visual Art
- Conguration of Form in Painting
- Digital Painting and other modules
The total fee for this programme is RM1620.00 per semester. There are altogether eight semesters for this degree.
Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS)
If you are currently based in East Malaysia, you might want to apply for the Bachelor of Applied Arts with Honours (Fine Art).
Under this programme, students will be exposed to a multi-dimensional fine art degree which covers areas such as 3-Dimensional sculptures, print-making, painting, photography and electronic arts.
The fee per semester is RM1695.00.
We’ve reached the end of the article. While you’re exploring the best places to take art classes in Malaysia, may you enjoy and excel in arts and reap the rewards as a professional painter in the future.
Enjoyed this article? Leave a rating!
Loading...
