Bachelor of Fine Arts with Honours (F4A)

The BFA Honours Research allows students to concentrate on developing a body of work of a speculative and individual nature. The emphasis is placed on a spirit of excellence and a strong sense of independent enquiry. Experimentation is encouraged and the candidate should have a firm commitment to the articulation of visual art theory in written, verbal and visual form, and its integration into art practice.

The course is designed to prepare students for research training at postgraduate level, and to develop their respective practices as artists, designers or writers.

Students meet regularly with their supervisors, and participate in group discussions and critiques to gain feedback on their project during the course of the program.

The program of study need not be media-specific; however students will be supervised in the context of one of the following studio areas at the School of Art: Art and Design Theory, Drawing, Electronic Media, 3D Design, Visual Communication, Painting, Photography, Printmaking or Sculpture.

The BFA Honours Professional course allows students to concentrate on developing a body of work of a speculative and individual nature. The emphasis is placed on developing a professional approach to practice and maintaining a strong sense of independent enquiry. Experimentation is encouraged and the candidate should have a commitment to the articulation of visual art theory and its integration into art practice.

The course is designed to prepare students for successfully pursuing their respective practices as artists, designers or curators.

Students meet regularly with their supervisors, and participate in group discussions and critiques to gain feedback on their project during the course of the program.

The program of study need not be media-specific; however students will be supervised in the context of one of the following studio areas at the School of Art: Art and Design Theory, Drawing, Electronic Media, 3D Design, Visual Communication, Painting, Photography, Printmaking or Sculpture and Curatorial Practice.

1. Define and articulate, to relevant audiences, coherent and advanced knowledge of the underlying research principles and diverse contexts (e.g. social, cultural and historical) that inform all aspects of arts practice.
2. Demonstrate intellectual independence, self-awareness and reflexive practice through the critical analysis and evaluation of ideas, artefacts, performances, commentary and knowledge.
3. Exercise well-developed initiative and judgement in developing new cognitive and technical skills, to manage contingencies with some independence, provide solutions to complex problems and deliver conceptually multi-layered, resolved creative works.
4. Undertake self-directed, speculative inquiry in one or more disciplines to develop new, individual creative practice outcomes by adapting advanced knowledge and skills in diverse contexts, and executing projects with unforeseen outcomes.
5. Develop and sustain a researched, self-defined creative practice and/or inquiry that is both autonomous and connected with professional, scholarly, and/or social communities.

The Bachelor of Fine Arts with Honours has a strong emphasis on active engagement with industry, with students producing high quality creative outcomes that reflect authentic workplace and professional environments as well as developing skills in independent research practice and project management. Students will propose, develop and deliver multiple professional outcomes – public presentation of work, participation in an Honours conference – that require thoughtful engagement with peers and professionals in the creative and cultural industries. Through participation in Arts Forums, engagement with Arts in Residence, and exposure to key creative arts events and organisations, student will make meaningful connections with industry stakeholders, practitioners, researchers, creative artists and teachers from local, national and international contexts.

The Professional Honours stream can cater for projects developed in partnership with creative arts institutions and organisations and enable students to undertake industry placements as part of their project.