Undergraduate - Course2119 - Bachelor of Fine Art

The Bachelor of Fine Art is the intensive, studio-based program offered in the Department of Fine Arts for students wishing to pursue a career as a practising artist. The course structure introduces students to a range of discipline-specific and interdisciplinary practices and methodologies. Students are instructed in core competencies and contemporary practices in the fine arts.

In the first year of the program students are encouraged to explore the relationship between a variety of media such as painting, sculpture, printmaking, photography, video and others, while gaining instruction in core skills and contemporary issues in the fine arts. The first year streams may cover topics such as spatial practices, representational and perceptual practices and lens-based practice and are augmented by intensive studio workshops in drawing, fabrication and theory.

In the second and third year, students can elect to specialise in a practice-based art field.

The supporting theory program for the Bachelor of Fine Art introduces the undergraduate students to contemporary approaches and research methods relevant to their studio practice, and provides pathways towards higher degrees by research in art and design.

Upon successful completion of the Bachelor of Fine Art, graduates will have the ability to undertake sustained studio practice founded on concepts and skills pertinent to their chosen medium. They will have the capacity to critically assess contemporary discourse on fine art, having attained understanding and imagination in aesthetics, history, theory and cultural issues. Graduates of the Bachelor of Fine Art will have the ability to evolve their own aims, interests and vision, to be expressed through their studio work whilst working independently.

The course consists of the following:

(a.) Contemporary practices (72 points)

This is the main study of the course and offered at each year stage. The contemporary practices sequence of units promotes an experimental and increasingly research-focused approach to projects and learning environments. The students are encouraged to develop collaborative and cross-disciplinary approaches to their practice and outcomes as well as developing individual projects. Teaching is focused around studio-based and research-led models and themes.

The first year of the program introduces students to a range of interdisciplinary practices and methodologies. Students are encouraged to explore the interdisciplinary relationship between a variety of media such as painting, sculpture, printmedia, photomedia and others, while gaining instruction in core skills and contemporary issues in the fine arts. The first year streams may cover topics such as spatial practices, representational and perceptual practices, conceptual practices, time-based and performative practices and are augmented by intensive studio workshops in perceptual and conceptual drawing, fabrication and theory.

The second year extends the student's study through research-led thematic clusters delivered across a range of mediums. In second semester, the students may choose to study abroad at the Prato campus, where specialised studios and theory options are offered.

The third year program develops as a research and professional studio practice, presenting the student with the opportunity to work with lecturers to develop individual or collaborative projects.

(b.) Complementary studies (12 points)

In their first year, students undertake 6 credit points in each of drawing and digital imaging for contemporary art.

(c.) Theory studies: Theory of art and design and contemporary practices research labs (36 points)

The theory program for the Bachelor of Fine Art introduces all undergraduate students to key ideas and theories informing contemporary practices. Two Theory of art and design core units (12 points) are taken in first year, 'Introduction to visual language' and 'Modernism and the avantgardes', which introduces the student to the key aspects of art theory concepts, practices, theories and figures of art. 'Perspectives on post-war practices' is a 6 credit point unit taken in the third semester to enhance students' knowledge of contemporary practices. A further 18 points are taken as elective units in Theory of art and design in the second and third years of study. These units provide pathways to studies at higher degree research level.

(d.) Electives (24 points)

Students take twenty-four points of elective studies comprised of one 6 point unit per semester from the second year level. The first year complementary study units, 'Digital processes' and 'Drawing', offer core skills development. They also provide pathways to advanced studies in digital audio video, photomedia processes and fabrication, CAD imaging, web design and digital publication, and further drawing. These units may be taken as medium-specific elective sequences from second year onwards. These may include topics such as Artist's Book studies, Studio painting, Small sculpture, Advanced fabrication and casting, Drawing for research, Anatomical drawing, and Sculpture in the expanded field.

(e.) Occupational health and safety (0 points)

A compulsory health and safety unit that deals with issues relevant to art and design.

All units are 6 points unless otherwise indicated.

First year (48 points)

First semester

• FNA1111 Introduction to contemporary practices 1 (12 points)
• Complementary study: DWG1201 Drawing 1B (fine art/visual arts) OR PHO1204 Digital imaging for contemporary art
• TAD1101 Introduction to visual language (6 points)
• OHS1000 Introduction to art and design health and safety (0 points)

Second semester

• FNA1112 Introduction to contemporary practices 2 (12 points)
• Complementary study: DWG1201 Drawing 1B (fine art/visual arts) OR PHO1204 Digital imaging for contemporary art
• TAD1102 Modernism and the avantgardes

Second year (48 points)

First semester

• FNA2111 Contemporary practices 3 (12 points)
• TAD2102 Perspectives on post-war practices
• elective

Second semester

• FNA2112 Contemporary practices 4
• theory of art and design (choice)
• elective

Third year (48 points)

First semester

• FNA3111 Contemporary practices 5 (12 points)
• theory of art and design (choice)
• elective

Second semester

• FNA3112 Contemporary practices 6
• theory of art and design (choice)
• elective

Bachelor of Fine Art