UTAS scored a four out of five in the visual arts and crafts category in the ERA results.
Professor Noel Frankham, Head of the UTAS Tasmanian School of Art in Hobart, welcomed the results.
He said UTAS and University of Wollongong were the only universities outside the Group of Eight to rate highly for visual arts and crafts, sharing a history of early commitment to postgraduate study in the discipline.”
“No university scored five; six of us got a score of four and of those six, four were Group of Eight institutions,” he said.
“That’s a good position to be in.”
Prof. Frankham said UTAS was one of the first universities to give postgraduate awards in the visual arts, starting in 1983. In 1995 UTAS introduced PhDs in visual arts.
“We now offer PhD’s in art and design studio practice within the School of Art, Hobart, and the School of Visual and Performing Arts, Launceston, so the state is well served with research study opportunities.
Prof. Frankham said the School of Art has had great success with research PhDs, producing high quality graduates, many of whom remain connected with the university.
“Our early success with ARC funding, linkage grants in particular, have been influential in building and enhancing a research culture in the school.
“The vision of people like Geoff Parr, Jonathon Holmes and Paul Zika in instigating our research strengths is wonderful and has clearly born fruit.”
Photo caption: Professor Noel Frankham, Head of the Tasmanian School of Art, believes UTAS’ commitment to postgraduate research in the visual arts helped achieve its high ERA score.