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Visual Arts & Design and Performing Arts Unit

Offering of Fine Arts as a degree program at the University of Kelaniya (then known as the Vidyalankara Campus of the Universityof Sri Lanka) commenced in 1975 under the Department of English with a batch of about 30 students. The objective of the program originally was to provide the students with an academic training in all forms of Fine Arts, though the curriculum included a small studio-component that included painting,music, and dancing. About three-years later, in 1978, the Department of Fine Art was established.The curriculum was expanded to include more studio-based subjects, allowing students to develop practical skills in one chosen area of a studio art, while learning historical and theoretical aspects of fine arts in general. When the new ' unit system ' was introduced in 1998, the curriculum was streamlined as three degree programs; namely, Visual Arts and Design, Performing arts, and image Arts, where students could specialize only one stream. Graduates of these degree programs often find employment as teachers in secondary schools and in various institutions that function under the Ministry of Culture. In the year 2005, the Department of Fine Arts was divided as two units as ‘Visual Arts and Design and Performing Arts Unit’ and ‘Image Arts and Drama and Theater Unit’. The Visual Arts and Design and Performing Arts Unit offers two degree Programmes; namely, The Bachelor of Arts in Visual Arts and Design and The Bachelor of Arts in Performing Arts with specialization in either Music or Dancing. The visual Arts and Design and Performing Arts Unit is located in the newly built Prof.Senaka Bandaranayake Hall (formally known as Cristo Hall).

Vision

We provide graduates with an unparalleled educational experience in order to expose them to a range of multicultural ideas and perspectives.

Mission

The mission of the unit is to enhance the reputation and the quality of it's study programmes and to situate itself as a leading provider of outstanding undergraduate art education in Sri Lanka. Advanced practical training to provide an academic excellence which can be utilized at national and international level.

Upcoming Events

Recently completed Events

ICTMD Symposium 2023: 04-09 December 2023

The 12^th symposium of the ICTMD Study Group on Music and Minorities with a joint day with the ICTMD Study Group on Indigenous Music and Dance.
Hosted by: Department of Fine Arts, University of Kelaniya.
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THA - 2023

Thaa 2023- cultural show jointly organized by Visual Arts, Design & Performing Arts Unit of the Department of Fine Arts, Faculty of Humanities, University of Kelaniya and Performing Arts Students’ Association will be held on the 22nd of February 2023 at the Sri Dharmaloka Hall, University of Kelaniya. Developing and appreciating the creative skills of the students were the prime objectives of the show.

“Thaa 2023” which is being organized in relation to course units of undergraduate degree programmes relevant to Performing Arts was made more fascinating by the novel creations of the undergraduates.

Sangeeth Manjari- Entertainment of Music-2022 was organized by the Music students' Association of Visual Arts and Design and Performing Arts Unit, Department of Fine Arts of the University of kelaniya was held on 12th October 2022 at 9.00 am in the Senake bandaranayake hall (Cristo). This was the first event that was organized physically after the establishment of the Music Students' Association (MUSICA). This event included North Indian Classical Violin recital performed by Kavindu Tharaka Andarege, Final Year Student and Western Vocal recital performed by Anuradha Weerakkody, Final Year student.

The inauguration of the 3rd batch of the Master of Fine Arts Degree Programme offered by the Visual Arts and Design and Performing Arts Unit of the Department of Fine Arts was held at the Ven. Prof. Kotahene Sri Pragnakeerthi Thero Memorial Hall (K14) of the Faculty of Humanities, University of Kelaniya. The event was graced by the presence of Senior Professor Kapila Senevirathne (Dean, Faculty of Graduate Studies), Dr. Sudath Senarath (Dean, Faculty of Humanities), Dr. B.D. Nandadeva (Retired Professor, and the founding course coordinator of the MFA Degree programme), Senior Lecturer Ms. Lanka de Silva (Unit Head, and the current coordinator of the MFA Degree programme), distinguished academic members contributing to the MFA Degree programme, and other faculty members, along with former and new students of the degree programme.

Centenary Year Celebrations of Humanities and Social Sciences at Sri Lankan Universities (1921-2021). The Students of the by Visual Arts, Design & Performing Arts Unit of the Department of Fine Arts, Faculty of Humanities, University of Kelaniya, proudly performed in the inauguration ceremony. Dance choreographed by Dulanga Gunarathne, Danushka Senevirathna and Akila Palipana. Music by Milinda Tennakone.

Visual Arts & Design Undergraduate Degree Show 2020.

The fact that we can present them here is a great achievement. You will have noticed that the last year has brought a significant extra challenge for our society, and especially for this group of graduates. Particularly in the light of the general anxious and insecure feelings because of the Covid-19 crisis within society in recent months, it shows the enormous strength and flexibility of the graduates that they reached the finish line – sometimes half improvising and half tinkering. ...
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THA - 2018

Thaa 2018” cultural show jointly organized by Visual Arts, Design & Performing Arts Unit of the Department of Fine Arts, Faculty of Humanities, University of Kelaniya and Performing Arts Students’ Association was held on the 21st of November 2018 at Dharmaloka Hall. Developing and appreciating the creative skills of the students were the prime objectives of the show.

“Thaa 2018” which is being organized in relation to course units of undergraduate degree programmes relevant to Performing Arts was made more fascinating by the novel creations of the undergraduates.

BHARU- 2018
Duwani 2019” Musical show jointly organized by Visual Arts, Design & Performing Arts Unit of the Department of Fine Arts, Faculty of Humanities, University of Kelaniya.Performing Arts Final year Students Organized this event and It was held on the 12th of July 2019 at Dharmaloka Hall.

NRUTHYALAMBHANA -2019

Nruthyalambhana 2019” cultural show jointly organized by Visual Arts, Design & Performing Arts Unit of the Department of Fine Arts, Faculty of Humanities, University of Kelaniya.Performing Arts Final year Students Organized this event and It was held on the 5th of July 2019 at Dharmaloka Hall.

VISTA - 2018

“Vista 2018”: Arts and Creation Exhibition jointly organized by the Visual Arts, Design & Performing Arts Unit of the Department of Fine Arts, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya and the Visual Arts Students’ Association was held on the 27th, 28th and 29th of November 2018 at the premises of Senaka Bandaranaike Hall. This was held with the prime objective of improving & appreciating creative skills of the undergraduates and creating a friendly environment within the University by motivating them towards Aesthetics.

This exhibition which was organized in relation to a course unit of Visual Arts degree programme, consisted of paintings, sculptures and carvings relevant to different traditions.

A foreign artist, Mr. Vijaya Khan conducted lectures on all the three days of the exhibition.

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