Handbook

The Master of Art program is a postgraduate coursework program that provides a comprehensive interdisciplinary postgraduate experience in contemporary Fine Arts practices. The program is designed to provide a critically nurturing learning atmosphere in which experimentation and skills acquisition are encouraged. An innovative studio environment supports the development and growth of critically informed creative practices, developed in the context of contemporary ideas and alert to the continuing influence of historical precedent. The program allows students to develop a professional approach to researching, developing and fulfilling their creative aspirations, and to transition from student to self-aware practicing artist.

The Master of Art has two main components: a core that addressed significant themes and practices in contemporary art and studio-based classes in key areas of practice.

In the art core you will learn about the central and evolving concepts and practices of contemporary fine art studio practice, to help you situate yourself in a world marked by interdisciplinarity, new and innovative engagement with materials and methods, and the necessity of experimentation and innovation.

The studio-based courses enable you to either focus on a specific area of practice (see below), or to put together your own suite of courses.

The program culminates in a major project and paper, which enables you to integrate your creative practice and develop as a creative arts professional.

Studio courses are available in the following areas of practice:

• Planar Practices Studio - which engages with creative practices that are image based and exhibited primarily on the wall. It supports the developments of individual and collaborative practices in painting, drawing, printmaking and forms of photography that are experienced primarily as a still image and video as a wall based projection.
• Temporal and Spatial Studio - which facilitates creative practices where the artist, working alone or with others, creates works of art that are experienced in time and space. It supports creative practices such as video, animation, sculpture, installation, performance, audio and experimental approaches to image capture.
• Future Making Studio - which focuses on the making of objects, whether with new materials and digital technologies or traditional craftsmanship. It addresses the integration of technical knowledge and skills with material and contextual understanding. Future Making works with ceramics, jewellery, metal, textiles, furniture and lighting.

As well, students may take studio courses from areas of practice offered in Program 9313 Master of Design.

The Master of Art provides for pathways for both those with backgrounds in art and those who wish to enter art from other professional backgrounds. Graduates of the Master of Art are prepared to be independent professionals, able to undertake leadership, research and innovation roles across a wide range of visual art practices. The major capstone project enables students to integrate their strong practice-based skills with their understanding of art as a contemporary, evolving and interdisciplinary practice.