Master of Fine Art

Overview

This program is designed in particular for practising artists who have a specific research interest or project they wish to pursue within a formal and supportive institutional context. The School seeks to provide opportunities for suitably qualified candidates to develop their potential for research, to extend their knowledge and competence and, in turn, to contribute to the understanding of current art practice and associated theories and of contemporary society and its culture.

Description

The candidate undertakes the research project by means of studio-based and historical/theoretical methodologies, under the guidance of a supervisor. In addition to regular contact with the supervisor, the candidate will be required to participate in both the Studio Seminar and the Research Seminar programs.

Seminars
Candidates will be required to attend up to 15 Studio Seminar sessions and up to 10 Research Seminars.

The Studio Seminar

The Studio Seminar addresses the manifestations of the various studio practices and their technical, aesthetic, personal, social and cultural implications. Each MFA candidate is required to present a work-in-progress exhibition in the Postgraduate Gallery, supported by a seminar presentation related to the work, its sources and processes of production.

The Research Seminar

The Research Seminar will provide an introduction to research methods and the presentation of outcomes, with particular reference to guidelines for the research paper and its relation to the exhibition component.

The second half of the program will concentrate on the definition and focus of individual projects with sessions based on candidates' reports of interim research outcomes.

For further information please email Dr Marie Sierra. To search for an email address for a staff member at the VCA please follow this link or use the email form on this website.

Objectives

The objectives of the Master of Fine Art are to:

• provide the opportunity for candidates to extend their knowledge, understanding and competence within the visual arts;
• promote research in and via the visual arts;
• aid, through research, the advancement of the practice and theory of visual art;
• provide opportunities for the investigation of the conjunction between the cognitive and formative aspects of the visual arts.

Prerequisites

From BFA Honours or equivalent qualification, or demonstrable relevant professional experience, which is deemed suitable preparation for work for the Master's degree.

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 capacities for artistic imagination, creativity, transformation and interpretation;
• 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;
• work at various levels, both as an individual and as a team member, in a wide variety of visual artistic environments;
• contribute to a range of visual arts environments as artistic collaborators and leaders;
• demonstrate an open, independent and inquiring attitude towards contemporary cultural developments and new ideas;
• critically and creatively engage 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 with and responsibility to their cultural environment and society.

Student Commitment

Four semesters full-time, with examination within the fourth semester; eight semesters part-time, with examination within the eighth semester. On-campus studio accommodation may be available by negotiation. Note: International students may undertake this course on a full-time basis only.

Assessment

A public exhibition (75%) supported and complemented by a research paper of not less than 10,000 words (25%), examined by two external examiners

Course Progression Guidelines

The maximum time permitted for completion of the course is four semesters full-time or eight semesters part-time.

Student progress is monitored by the candidate's supervisors who are required to report in writing any lack of satisfactory progress to the candidate and to the Coordinator of Postgraduate Studies. Where satisfactory progress has not been maintained, a candidate shall be given the opportunity to present and explain the reasons for this.

Qualification for Award

The award of the Master of Fine Art requires successful completion of the approved project.