Handbook

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General information

Undergraduate

Postgraduate

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Single degrees

Bachelor of Visual Arts – Bendigo (RBVA)

In this course students are encouraged to specialise or to diversify in line with contemporary practice in the visual arts. The strong lecture and studio sequence of Theory and Methodologies in the Studio Practice subjects is structured to accelerate development in the range and depth of students’ creative concepts. Theoretical and visual cultural studies contribute to studio production of folios in their major medium, selected from an offering of ceramics, painting and drawing, photography, printmaking or animation. Visual Arts Media Workshops in these major media expand students’ technical expertise through challenging applied assignments. Comparative Studies in Visual Media provide opportunities to explore new means of combining and hybridising media from another discipline in conjunction with the major, and this subject itself can become a major study. Additional disciplines of illustration and photojournalism provide further options in this subject. The first year in the degree is supported by a vigorous Art and Visual Cultureprogram. Professional Studies is a compulsory subject in the final two semesters of the course and guides students in the vocational outcomes of their study.

For students who successfully complete all requirements of the course and whose academic transcript indicates that more than 50% of their studies are devoted to one medium, this specialisation will be reflected in the title of their degree.

Students should note that this course is available at the Mildura Campus, but the range of disciplines may be restricted.

Recognition

The course is primarily designed to produce professional artists, although graduates may also have the opportunity to work as art administrators, gallery curators and directors, dealers and commercial gallery staff, art critics, historians, photojournalists, professional photographers, illustrators, secondary art teachers or art lecturers with relevant further study.

Contact hours

Contact hours refers to the minimum time students are required to attend studio study and develop their work within this practical environment. During staff–student engagement time, teaching will occur in the form of lectures, workshops, technical demonstrations, tutorials, individual staff–student consultation, and studio practice as directed by the student’s approved, individual research proposal. When staff are not present outside formal engagement times, studio technical support staff may be available for technical demonstrations, information and assistance. From the second year onwards, studies are built upon specific studio subjects and developed through sustained studio practice and independent research.

Course structure

The course is undertaken by full-time study over three years. It may also be undertaken by part-time study after consultation with the Visual Art Selection Committee. All compulsory subjects must be successfully completed. This course is valued at 120 credit points per year.

First year

Second year

Third year

Studio major

Sequential studies in any one given medium offered in Theory and Methodologies in Studio Practice subjects constitute a major area of study. Students are encouraged to expand their technical knowledge in their chosen media by undertaking parallel studies in Visual Arts Media Workshop subjects. The aesthetic and technical base is further expanded through the studio-based Comparative Studies in Visual Media subjects in another medium. Studio majors available are: ceramics, painting and drawing, photography and visual arts.

Facilities available

Quality facilities include industry-standard animation computing and digital imaging facilities, photographic studios with separate darkrooms for black and white and colour production, extensive painting and drawing studios, and intaglio and relief printmaking studios. There is a ceramics centre with clay preparation plant; wheels; and electric, natural gas, LPG and wood-fired kilns. Students have access to studios during weekday evenings and at weekends, under the regulations as prescribed by the Head of School of Visual Arts and Design. A large gallery is maintained with a continuing program of exhibitions.

Regulations

While it is permissible to take longer than three years to complete the course, any subject failed must be passed on the second attempt in the consecutive semester or year. Any formal written examination will be moderated. Reconsideration is not possible for the studio-based subjects Theory and Methodologies in Studio Practice, Visual Arts Media Workshops, and Comparative Studies in Visual Media, where the whole folio is assessed by a panel of examiners.

Special assessment details

Visual Arts Media Workshop and Comparative Studies in Visual Media subjects will be progressively assessed on three assignments per semester. Theory and Methodologies in Studio Practice subjects are based on folio assessments, which will be assessed by a panel of staff responsible for studio subjects. The examination panel for the Theory and Methodologies in Studio Practice F assessment includes outside moderators selected for their high standing in visual arts.