College of Arts and Crafts plans to add new courses

Updated on: Monday, June 03, 2013

The 74-year-old College of Arts and Crafts is undergoing various changes. Last year, its syllabus was modified for the first time after its establishment and now the college administration plans to add new courses.

The college administration has proposed to introduce the Master of Fine Arts (MFA) course. "A proposal in this regard has been passed by the syndicate and now we are seeking a green signal from the governor," said Chandra Bhushan Shrivastava, principal of the college. Once MFA is launched, this four-semester course will have 40 seats (10 in each department). "After getting permission for MFA, we will seek permission for PhD in fine arts too," added the principal.

"The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) syllabus was modified for the first time last year since the establishment of the college. This was done to bring the syllabus in line with that of other national-level fine arts colleges. We also converted the five-year BFA course to a four-year one, like other fine arts colleges across the globe," said the principal.

Earlier, matriculates were eligible for admission, but now only intermediate passouts would be allowed. The maximum age for students applying for BFA course is 25 years, and a minimum of 45% marks in intermediate is required to appear at the entrance test.

The entrance test here is very different from other PU colleges. Students have to appear in three papers and the test is conducted in two sittings. The test for first and second papers is conducted together and students get three hours for it.

The first paper carrying 35 marks is 'Still Life', in which students have to make sketches on the given topic only with the help of pencils. In the second paper that carries 35 marks - 'Memory Drawing' - students are given topics, such as season or festival, and they have to paint it with colours. Half-an-hour time is given for the third paper that carries 30 marks and comprises of multiple-choice questions based on arts, culture, history, basic science and current affairs.

Application forms for the entrance test are available at Rs 300. The college offers foundation course in the first year of BFA, teaching painting, sculpture, applied art and print making/graphics. This course is common to all students. Later in the specialization course (over the next three years), students have to choose either of the above-mentioned subjects. Besides, history of arts is a compulsory subject common to all students under the specialization course. Students also have to choose one of the optional courses (photography and mural) during their specialization. "Graphic and mural have been introduced as new subjects from last year," the principal told TOI.

"To improve the quality of education, we are planning to organize guardians' meet every month; also, we will keep the parents updated with their ward's attendance, that would be soon shown on our newly-constructed website (http://www.collegeofartsandcraftspu.in/)," he added.

"The college campus has now Wi-Fi facility, including in hostels. The present boys' hostel has 32 seats, and the construction of 60-seat girls' hostel will start by July," said the principal, adding that the college at present has UGC-2F and 12B accreditation and the administration is applying for NAAC accreditation too.

The BFA course has 60 seats, and other than last year every year more than 200 students apply for admission. "Last year, due to confusion over the introduction of entrance test system, our course got delayed till December. Thus, only 67 students applied for it, out of which only 48 turned up for admission. But this year, we have preplanned our examination schedule for an updated BFA course," Shrivastava said.

Out of the 60 BFA seats, 30 are reserved under various caste-based quotas. Besides, the college offers quotas under the categories of disabled, army men, teaching and non-teaching staff, music and sports and NRIs. "If we get applications under these quotas, we refer them to the university and as per permission allot the seats. The seats under these quotas are in addition to the 60 seats," the principal said.

At a glance

The College of Arts and Crafts was established at Govind Mitra Road on January 25, 1939 by late Radha Mohan. Later in 1949, the government of Bihar took control of it and renamed it as the Government School of Arts and Crafts. In 1957, the college shifted to its present location at Vidyapati Marg. The institution was rechristened on April 12, 1977 as the College of Arts and Crafts and was made a constituent college of Patna University. The college had been offering a five-year diploma course, which was, in 2012, converted into a four-year degree course.

Important dates

Availability of forms: June 5 to June 30

Last date for submission of forms: June 30

Entrance test: July 5

Results: July 12

Commencement of classes: July 25

College of Arts and Crafts plans to add new courses

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