Course Code: 912 AA
Course Duration: 1 year
Course Coordinator: Bernhard Sachs
Applications Close: 11/09/2009

Contents

Overview

A one year Master of Visual Art degree, with assessment by coursework. Students focus on their studio practice, as well as on the theoretical background of art and culture.

Description

This professional development course is an intensive studio-based program supported by regular formal seminars and offers the opportunity for emerging artists to consolidate skills and knowledge.

Objectives

The objectives of the Master of Visual Art are to:

  • provide the opportunity for the consolidation of experimental activity into an emerging visual art practice;
  • encourage the development of technical and manipulative skills of a high order and facility for their application in spheres of individual, industrial and social concern;
  • encourage sound work practices;
  • promote critical reflection on the work produced, contemporary art practice and the artist's role in society;
  • encourage in students the professional capacities required to conduct themselves as producers of culture within our society.
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Prerequisites

  • an honours degree, in a relevant discipline with at least H2B (70%) in the major, or equivalent,
    or
  • a graduate diploma or postrgraduate diploma in a relevant discipline with at least H2B (70%) in the major, or equivalent.

Applications for places in the Master of Visual Art course are made directly to the head of the School. Applications close on the first Friday in September each year.

Applicants are required to provide, with their application form, documentation of recent work. Specific information can be obtained from the course brochure.

All applications will be reviewed by a selection panel. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an interview. Interviews are normally conducted in mid October.

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Generic Skills

At the completion of the course or subject students should be able to:

  • exhibit extensive theoretical and practical knowledge of their discipline including relevant professional knowledge, skills, discipline and ethics as they relate to a practising visual artist;
  • demonstrate practical skills in respect of critical analysis, problem solving, report writing, team work and oral and written communication;
  • demonstrate a flexible and innovative approach to the national and international challenges for the professional visual artist in the 21st century;
  • critically and creatively angage with topics of cultural significance across communities;
  • understand and appreciate how the visual arts connect with the broader society and contribute to its social and economic development;
  • understand their relationship withand responsibility to their cultural environment and society.
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Student Commitment

Two semesters (full time only). Students are provided with on-campus studio accommodation.

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Course Progression Guidelines

The maximum time permitted for completion of the course is two years full time.

The progress of a student shall be deemed to be unsatisfactory if the student:
(a) fails to pass 50% of the total credit points in any semester;
or
(b) obtains two successive fails in any one subject.

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Qualification for Award

The award of the Master of Visual Art requires the successful completion of the prescribed subjects and the gaining of a total score of 100 credit points.

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Subjects by Year

Year 1

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Subjects

Year 1

755-830
THEORIES OF ART AND CULTURE 11A
Credit Points: 12.5
Coordinator: Edward Colless
Prerequisites: Nil
Contact hours: 2 hours per week (Semester 1

Subject description:

A series of weekly seminars dealing with the critical investigation of a significant topic in contemporary cultural research. The course is run as a reading group and critical workshop. Discussion is focussed on critical methods demonstrated in the reading material and, according to opportunity, on critical issues arising from current art exhibitions or events.

Assessment:

One written paper of 4,000 words, or equivalent (100%)

Time Commitment:

2 hrs contact and 4 hours non-contact per week

Prescribed Texts:

TBA

Special Computer Requirements:

N/A

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755-831
STUDIO PRACTICE 11A
Credit Points: 37.5
Coordinator: Associate Professor Jon Cattapan
Prerequisites: Nil
Contact hours: 10 hours individual tutorials, 40 hours of group tutorials/seminars. (Semester 1)
Semester: Semester 1

Subject description:

Students prepare a proposal for a program of studio practice appropriate to their needs. Emphasis is on consolidation of the advances made through experimentation within a graduate diploma course or the research of an honours year or equivalent experiences, the clarification of personal concerns and the focussing of studio activity. Guidance and assistance is provided through group and individual tutorials.


Note: An individual supervisor is assigned to overview the student’s development over the semester.

The Studio Seminar Each student is asked to present an exhibition of works in progress in the Postgraduate student gallery and to partake of a formal seminar where two of their cohort are nominated to present written responses to the art works presented (this is a public forum). In general the Studio seminar explores critically each student’s selected studio output and the attendant technical, aesthetic, personal, social and cultural implications. Each student is required to present a work-in-progress exhibition in the Postgraduate gallery, supported by a seminar presentation related to the work.

Assessment:

Submission of a body of work which reflects the range of student activity throughout the semester and which demonstrates the student's developing conceptual ability; critical capacity; development of independent work practises; technical, manipulative and perceptual skills (100%).

In order to be eligible for assessment a student must have attended a minimum of 80% of the scheduled Studio Seminars, presented work in one of the seminars and delivered prepared responses to the exhibited work in two others.

Time Commitment:

10hrs ind tuts, 40hrs grp tuts/sems + 325hrs prac

Prescribed Texts:

TBA

Special Computer Requirements:

N/A

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755-832
THEORIES OF ART AND CULTURE 11B
Credit Points: 12.5
Coordinator: Edward Colless
Prerequisites: Nil
Contact hours: 2 hours per week (Semester 2)
Semester: Semester 2

Subject description:

A series of weekly seminars dealing with the interdisciplinary study of significant issues in contemporary cultural theory. The course is run as a reading group and critical workshop. Discussion is focussed on consideration of, and speculation on, contemporary cultural theory demonstrated in reading material and, according to opportunity, in current exhibitions or art events.

Assessment:

One written paper of 4,000 words, or equivalent (100%)

Time Commitment:

2 hours contact and 4 hours non-contact per week

Prescribed Texts:

TBA

Special Computer Requirements:

N/A

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755-833
STUDIO PRACTICE 11B
Credit Points: 37.5
Coordinator: Associate Professor Jon Cattapan
Prerequisites: Studio Practice IIA
Contact hours: 10 hours individual tutorial, 30 hours of group tutorials/seminars (Semester 2)
Semester: Semester 2

Subject description:

Students prepare a refined proposal for their developing program of studio practice and attendant critical and professional concerns. Emphasis is on consolidation of the experimentation and levels of enquiry in Studio Practice IIA. A focussed body of works will be developed over the semester and emphasis will be placed on clarification of conceptual intent and working methodologies. A self-contextualisation of attendant aesthetic and professional issues will be addressed. Guidance and assistance is provided through group and individual tutorials.

Note: An individual supervisor is assigned to overview the student’s refined proposal and focussed development over the semester.

Professional Development Seminar: The Postgraduate Coordinator and invited speakers will lead discussion with the cohort on various aspects of professional exhibition models, professional documentation of artwork, ethical conduct/public liability, intellectual property, curatorial/museum sector, community involvement and ‘small business’ regimes appropriate to professional visual artists.

Assessment:

Submission of a body of work which clearly reflects the range of student activity throughout the semester and which demonstrates the student's conceptual and technical abilities and demonstrates a self-initiated focus. The presented artworks should also clearly reflect a high degree of professional resolve in achieving the aims of the semester’s refined proposal. 100%).

Together with the folio, the student must submit documentation of a representative selection of the semester’s work in the form of not less than fifteen and not more than twenty-four 35mm colour transparencies or in the form of a CD-Rom/DVD. Documentation to be retained by the School.

In order to be eligible for assessment a student must have attended a minimum of 80% of the scheduled Professional Development Seminars.

Time Commitment:

10hrs indvid tutes + 30hrs grp tutes + 325hrs prac

Prescribed Texts:

TBA

Special Computer Requirements:

N/A

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