Bachelor of Creative Arts (Visual Arts)

Course Description
The Visual Arts major in the Bachelor of Creative Arts (BCA) degree at the University of Wollongong is based in studio practice and related theory and history studies. The studio processes available include drawing, digital imaging, painting, photography, printmaking media, sculpture and textiles. Students are not restricted to only one process and interdisciplinary work is encouraged. Student work is shown throughout the year in one of five gallery spaces in the Faculty.

Visual Arts majors work within their chosen studios under the direction of lecturers for four hours per week, with at least another four hours per week additional studio hours. Students also take a drawing-based Visual Investigations subject of four hours per week (+ four additional hours) and a Visual Arts Theory and History subject (three hours per week). These are the compulsory core subjects to be taken in each session of the course.

In first year, studio subjects introduce students to a range of media and processes. Studio skills are taught and a critical approach to their use is fostered in weekly seminars that study the histories of each art and craft discipline. In second year, studio subjects build on these basic techniques and skills. Increased emphasis is placed on the students' ability to achieve independence in ideas, technical skills and work practices. Students are encouraged to contextualise their artwork in contemporary practice by developing research processes, attending exhibitions and participating in the wider artistic community. In third year studio subjects, students are expected to explore and develop personal themes and ideas to a greater depth. Professional practice as a visual artist is introduced. This includes skills in visual presentation appropriate to the medium, gallery practice, and compiling a professional portfolio. The focus is on the completion of a body of work for exhibition in the final year exhibition.

Visual Arts Theory and History subjects complement the work in studio practice. In their first year, students are given a foundation in 19th century European, Colonial, indigenous Australian and early modern art as a background to their second-year study of 20th century movements and theories in art and design. Contemporary theoretical perspectives are introduced gradually. By third year the focus is on contemporary visual arts practice, along with the current issues and debates, in Australia and overseas.

Below is a sample course structure (totalling 108 credit points) for a major study in Visual Arts:

First Year
12 credit points of Studio Practice including:

• introduction to a range of media and processes;
• histories of given art and design disciplines

12 credit points of Visual Investigations (complements the work in studio practice)

12 credit points of Theory

• 19th Century European, Colonial, indigenous Australian and early modern art

• techniques and skills to achieve technical competence
• independence in ideas, technical skills and work practices

12 credit points of Visual Investigations

12 credit points of Theory

• 20th Century movements and theories in art and design

• exploration and development of personal themes and ideas
• professional practice

12 credit points of Visual Investigations

12 credit points of Theory

• current visual arts practice
• attendant issues and debates in Australia and overseas

Note: check subject details for session on offer and pre-requisites and co-requisites.

Single degree BCA students must also include 36 credit points of electives in their degree of which no more than 18 credit points should be at 100 level.