Established in 1940, the College of Fine Arts is one of the premier institutions of art, that has been rendering continuous service by way of stimulating creative interaction among photographers, painters, sculptors, commercial artists and animators. Taking its roots as ‘School of Arts and Crafts’ to promote arts and local crafts, the college had gradually grown in stature as the Government College of Arts.
With the establishment of Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University (JNTU) in October 1972, the college merged with the University and became its constituent college. The college then attained independent status as the College of Fine Arts exclusively devoted to the development of applied art, painting, sculpture, photography and animation. It caters to three regions of Andhra, Telangana and Rayalaseema for all their art educational needs.
Courses offered
The College of Fine Arts offers undergraduate courses in Applied Arts, Animation, Painting, Photography and Sculpture. Each academic programme runs for four years, which includes a one-year common foundation course in the basics of art; the remaining six semesters are devoted to professional training. In the two-year postgraduate courses, aspiring students can specialise in Applied Arts, Painting, Photography and Sculpture.
Faculty
With an average age of 35 years, the teaching faculty at the college brings in a great deal of dynamism and diversity to the set up. The faculty members of the school, through their qualifications and intellectual pursuits in various specialisations in Fine Arts, lend the institute a unique flavour. Apart from the regular faculty, the college also enjoys a healthy and beneficial interaction with its visiting faculty. These are individuals with great proficiency in their chosen areas of profession and include entrepreneurs, alumni, and well-known academicians.
Infrastructure
The college has its own sprawling campus which includes buildings, workshops, library, computer labs and other required amenities. There are labs in almost every department, suited for every discipline. For animation, there are three different labs including 2D lab, 3D lab and a Lightbox lab, which is a specialised lab for animation. For photography students, there is a separate photographic lab as well as an editing lab to refine their work. The college also has graphic studios apart from a graphic lab. There is also an art gallery within the campus, which exhibits both students’ work as well art by outsiders.
“Digital technology is at its peak at the moment. New avenues have opened up in the field of art, architecture and design. We are promoting art in different horizons. We cover all the areas in which art, technology and creativity are combined together,” says SN Vikas, Principal of the college.
“Learning while doing is our main slogan. Our education is more design and practical-oriented,” Vikas adds.
— suhas@newindianexpress.com