Visual Arts (Degree)
Bachelor of Visual Arts and Bachelor of Visual Arts/Bachelor of Advanced Studies at Sydney College of the Arts will allow you to develop the conceptual, theoretical and technical skills you will need to succeed as a practising artist or in a range of careers in the creative industries.
First Year
The first year comprises units of study that develop your creative work and your theoretical awareness of contemporary art practice. You learn about materials and methods appropriate for your work, and develop the technical skills required to make and document it successfully.
In first semester you are exposed to a wide range of studio specialisations represented at SCA. You complete two transdisciplinary projects (CASF1001 Studio Foundation) developed by a team of academic staff from different disciplinary areas. The projects entail both academic instruction and technical workshops that give you a choice in the media you use for the execution of your end-of-semester project outcome. You receive four hours of academic tuition supported by a two-hour technical workshop each week.
From second semester CAST1001 Studio 1 gives you an opportunity to locate yourself within two specific studio environments over two six-week blocks. You work with the production methodologies and creative contexts characteristic of the particular studio environment. Your projects are supported by technical workshops in the chosen studio specialisations. Studio 1 helps you to choose a studio specialisation in second year and reinforce pathways for future interdisciplinary projects.
You also complete two 1000-level Critical Studies units: CATE1001 Contemporary Art: an Introduction and CATE1002 The Avant-Garde.
You select your remaining units of study from a diverse range of core and elective units, including compulsory second major in the Bachelor of Visual Arts/Bachelor of Advanced Studies.
Second Year
In second year you select a studio specialisation. In first semester a studio specialisation unit of study provides a creative environment in which you explore and develop your own emerging ideas and personal artistic voice within your chosen disciplinary major. In second semester you build on experience you gained and expand your ideas as you renew the exploration of your personal artistic expression.
In addition to your studio specialisation, you select and complete two units of study from the Critical Studies area. Critical Studies provides you with the theoretical concepts and historical context you need for an in-depth understanding of contemporary art practice. It immerses you in current themes and debates in contemporary art, exploring artists’ practices while also linking these to modern and postmodern developments. You are encouraged to apply these critical skills to your own work and to that of other artists, writers, and curators.
In addition, you compliment your studies with electives that deepen your skills and knowledge of your studio specialisation or select units of study required in your second major.
Third Year
The primary focus of third year studio specialisation units of study is the consolidation of your own creative practice leading to the production of work for the graduate exhibition at the end of the third year. You are expected to work on independent and self-directed projects that continue to develop and extend ideas and approaches you initiated in second year.
In the last semester you pursue self-initiated practice to a standard appropriate for public exhibition.
The studio units of study integrate theory and practice in a flexible structure that fosters experimentation across a broad range of approaches, mediums and cross-disciplinary methodologies.
You also complete electives chosen from:
- a suite of SCA studio-style electives, including electives that deepen your skills of your studio specialisation;
the Critical Studies suite;
units of study offered across the University; or
select units of study required in your second major.
Honours
The honours year allows you to extend your potential in studio-based and written research. You may continue to work in the area of your undergraduate study or undertake research in a different area.
You can choose to complete honours in Visual Arts either by studio practice and research paper; or by dissertation.
Your final examination will take place at the graduate exhibition at the end of the honours year. You are required to present your research paper and substantial exhibition, performance or installation of artwork; or dissertation at an oral examination, to a panel of two examiners.
The requirements for honours in Visual Arts are described in the degree resolutions for the Bachelor of Visual Arts/Bachelor of Advanced Studies. 36 credit points of honours units will be included in the table for 2019.
Advanced Coursework
The requirements for advanced coursework in Visual Arts are described in the degree resolutions for the Bachelor of Visual Arts/Bachelor of Advanced Studies.
24 credit points of advanced study will be included in the table for 2019.
Contact / Further information
Undergraduate Coordinator: Mr Oliver Smith
Email:
Phone: +61 2 9351 1070
Example Pathway
| Bachelor of Visual Arts | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Year 1 |
Sem 1 |
CASF1001 Studio Foundation |
CATE1001 Contemporary Art: an Introduction |
Elective or 1000 level unit in another major/minor from Table S |
|
Sem 2 |
CAST1001 Studio 1 |
CATE1002 The Avant-Garde |
Elective or 1000 level unit in another major/minor from Table S |
|
|
Year 2 |
Sem 1 |
2000 level Studio Specialisation from Visual Arts Table A |
2000 or 3000 level Critical Studies unit from Visual Arts Table B |
Elective or 2000 level unit in another major/minor from Table S |
|
Sem 2 |
2000 level Studio Specialisation from Visual Arts Table A |
2000 or 3000 level Critical Studies unit from Visual Arts Table B |
Elective or 2000 level unit in another major/minor S |
|
|
Year 3 |
Sem 1 |
3000 level Studio Specialisation from Visual Arts Table A |
Elective or 3000 level unit in another major from S |
Elective or 2000/3000 level unit in another major/minor from S |
|
Sem 2 |
3000 level Studio Specialisation from Visual Arts Table A |
Elective or 3000 level unit in another major from S |
Elective or 3000 level unit in another major from S |
|
*Table S major or minor excluding Visual Arts major or minor