Tama Art University

Three Policies
Department of Art Studies

Purposes and Educational Goals (Diploma Policy)

In a society where advances in science and technology are leading people to recognize the importance of art altogether, the Department of Art Studies aims to cultivate human resources who can acquire the ability to “create," “think,” and “communicate” using their own hands and minds, and convey art to the world. To that end, based on Tama Art University's philosophy of "Freedom and Will," the Department of Art Studies has organized its own curriculum, in line with the Diploma Policy, based on “creating," “thinking,” and “communicating,” cultivating students' abilities to observe and think, conceive and execute, and imagine and express.

“Creating” entails actually experiencing the various forms of artistic expression that form the basis of “thinking,” speculating on their background, so as to cultivate a suitable outlook for comprehending theory.

"Thinking" explores the roles of the acts of expression learned through experience in "creating," and how these are viewed in the overall context of art, by studying theory and deepening one's own thinking.

"Communicating" makes use of the theory and practice cultivated through "creating" and "thinking," so as to engage in dissemination of art in various context, generate channels directly connected to society, and bring one’s own original ideas to completion.

Based on the philosophy of the university, students in the Department of Art Studies acquire the capabilities to “create," “think,” and “communicate,” the stated objectives of the department. Students who have achieved this goal receive bachelor’s (BFA) degrees.


Curriculum Policy

Students enrolled in the Department of Art Studies take common course subjects offered by the General Education Department and specialized subject courses offered by the Department of Art Studies in a progressive and systematic manner, in line with their interests.

Students who take introductory classes in "art and appreciation" during the first year, taught by all full-time teachers, learn the process of producing works of art and expression through language that are the foundation of "creating." Also, during first- and second-year basic classes, speakers invited from outside the university, who are active on the front lines of artistic expression and theoretical research, teach required classes in 21st-century cultural theory and the specific English necessary for an Art Studies program at an art university.

During applied studies in the third and fourth years, students belong to one of the distinctive seminars (design subjects) taught by full-time faculty members. It is possible to take multiple seminars. Students actively experience organizing activities that connect to society and the world through practical learning tasks such as planning and managing exhibitions and film screenings, producing magazines and books, specialized surveys and research, and managing of budgets.

In the Department of Art Studies, students can acquire two national certifications, a curator’s qualification and an art instructor’s license (a type of teaching certificate for junior high school and high school) by earning credits in the undergraduate program.

In both required and elective subjects, to evaluate the results of study, rigorous grading is carried out based on criteria specified in advance. These results are then utilized for further improvement of educational methods.


Admissions Policy

University researchers, museum curators, artists and art producers... the Department of Art Studies has thus far produced diverse human resources in various fields. We are constantly building on time-honored traditions while updating them for the future.

The Department of Art Studies today enables students to acquire the basic abilities of “creating,” “thinking,” and “communicating,” and cultivates a wide range of “professionals capable of disseminating the arts to the world.”

Students are expected to enjoy art, have the capacity to “feel” and, above all, the ability to “consolidate” history, theory, and practice in the field.

The Department of Art Studies offers a diverse range of admission examinations intended to identify students’ latent potential.

Based on drawings, short essays and so forth, subjects at which examinees excel are identifed, and they are led to demonstrate their full potential.

We also offer a recommendation entrance examination intended to discover qualities and abilities that can not be assessed only by the general entrance examination, which focuses on academic ability.

Creating, thinking, and communicating.

We are seeking students with a sense of enthusiasm and mission, who are interested in all aspects of the arts, and dedicated to communicating them to the world.