- Location
Dunedin School of Art (P Block, Riego Street - click here for a map)
- Duration
- Six months full-time; one year part-time
- Delivery
On campus
- Credits
- 60
- Level
- 8
- Start
- February and July
- Apply
- Now
-
LocationIntakeStudy breaks
-
Dunedin22 February 2021
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Dunedin19 July 2021
-
Dunedin21 February 2022
Advance your art study without committing to a lengthy qualification.
If you are seeking initial engagement in postgraduate research, this full-time, one semester Postgraduate Certificate in art is for you and will allow you to study in a structured learning environment. A postgraduate qualification in the Visual Arts can lead to an exciting and diverse range of professions and the skills you develop are transferable to a wide variety of employment situations. Use this programme as a bridge into further postgraduate studies to increase your career prospects; successful completion of this qualification will allow you to staircase into the second semester of the Postgraduate Diploma in Visual Arts.
Embrace the opportunity to develop and produce a body of critically-engaged studio work and to write a set essay on an aspect of related research methodology. Enjoy the chance to work within Otago Polytechnic's nationally unique range of workshop facilities and benefit from the Dunedin School of Art's focus on individual supervision and student-centred learning, supported by an active community of artists, to enhance professional development.
Skills required
- The ability to think laterally and independently.
- Motivation and a good work ethic.
- Confidence and the ability to accept criticism.
- Adaptability and open mindedness.
Entry requirements
- You must have completed a Bachelor of Visual Arts (Level 7) OR equivalent qualification at a bachelor's level, OR any other undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline.
- Exceptional applicants not meeting the entry requirements but with appropriate documented professional experience may also be considered.
- You must submit an annotated portfolio, curriculum vitae and a project proposal. The portfolio must be no larger than 2MB.
- Selection for admission includes an interview.
- If you do not hold the above qualifications, you must demonstrate appropriate ability through a portfolio and associated writings which will be approved by the Postgraduate Admissions Committee.
- International students will be individually assessed to ensure they meet the entry requirements.
- If English is not your first language, you must provide:
- New Zealand University Entrance OR
- Overall Academic IELTS 6.5 with no individual band score lower than 6.0 (achieved in one test completed in the last two years), OR
- Acceptable alternative evidence of the required IELTS (see here for NZQA proficiency table and here for list of recognised proficiency tests).
If you need to improve your English Language skills, we offer a wide range of English programmes.
Application and Portfolio Requirements
Your application should contain the following:
- A curriculum vitae of no more than two pages which lists the relevant qualifications and previous exhibiting histories and references or includes any reviews or responses which are relevant.
- An annotated portfolio with images that indicate the scope of the work to date in a focused way (2MB file size limit). These images should relate to your project proposal.
- A project proposal of 500-1000 words with an annotated bibliography.
Annotated portfolio details
You should provide approximately 15 images of work (including images of installations where applicable). Each image should be numbered and correspond with an annotated list including information as to title, date, size, materials and position within your practice. Images should illustrate a range of work as well as development over a period of time. If available, you should attach exhibition catalogues, reviews, articles or any other material relevant to your work. There is a 2MB file size limit for the portfolio.
Please note: While all reasonable care will be taken, Otago Polytechnic does not accept responsibility for damage or loss of portfolio material.
Contact details
Alexandra Kennedy
Postgraduate Coordinator
Senior Lecturer: Professional Practices, Art History and Theory, Painting
Phone: 03 479 3741 / 0800 762 786
Email: alex.kennedy@op.ac.nz
Location: Room P203, Dunedin School of Art, Riego Street, Dunedin
Additional documentation
You must supply certified copies of your passport and visa (where appropriate).
Selection procedure
Selection for admission includes an interview.
Additional costs
Material costs vary according to individual projects. As an indication, you may borrow up to $1,000 in addition to any student allowance for course-related costs.
You will study
Further develop your undergraduate experience of the history and contemporary conventions of your chosen field, within appropriate learning contexts at a postgraduate level. Create a systematic proposal supported by studio evidence that forecasts a projected exhibition project. Your proposal will be reinforced by relevant research methodologies.
Studio Practice
The Dunedin School of Art has eight areas of studio practice: Ceramics, Electronic Arts, Jewellery & Metalsmithing, Painting, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture and Textiles. The School of Design has four specialist areas: Communication, Fashion, Interior and Product Design. Postgraduate candidates may evolve unexpected relationships between traditional subjects or create new syntheses from them. As the organisation of your programme is shaped by your own proposal and desired end result, this qualification may be completed in one discipline, or across several.
Supervision
A studio and a theory supervisor are appointed for each candidate. The Postgraduate Coordinator will help you to interface with staff and other students at the School of Art and the School of Design and with the arts community within Dunedin and elsewhere.
Group Work
Regular studio critiques and more formal presentation of work during seminars and research workshops provide opportunity for feedback, discussion and debate.
Visiting artists and designers
An international visiting artists and designers programme feeds into your postgraduate studies and contributes to a community of practice, currency of ideas and valuable contacts.
Studio space and facilities
You are allocated a studio space and have around the clock access to project-related facilities. The Dunedin School of Art has consistently focused on the development of excellence in the material aspects of art-making; it is now one of the best-equipped art schools in New Zealand and is fully supported by fine technical staff. The School of Design is recognised as being at the forefront of design education in New Zealand and features include the best-equipped advanced prototyping facility in Australasia.
Exhibition opportunities
Dunedin is a city with many exhibition facilities ranging from small informal galleries to large, public spaces like the Dunedin Public Art Gallery. A number of fine regional galleries offer further exhibition spaces.
The Dunedin School of Art has played a part in visual arts education since its establishment in 1870 as a pre-eminent college of art. It was the first art school in New Zealand and is the world's southernmost tertiary arts institution. Under the helm of Con Hutton followed by Gordon Tovey, it developed a legacy of academic excellence and artistic individuality. Over the years the school has attracted such students as Colin McCahon, Anne Hamblett, Doris Lusk and Lisa Walker; more recent graduates include Rachel Rakena who exhibited at the Venice Biennale in 2008 and Emma Bugden who became director of ArtSpace Auckland in 2008.
Individuals choose the Dunedin School of Art at Otago Polytechnic for its resource competitiveness, quality of teaching and supervision and its sense of community. Our points of difference are our interest in an integrated theory/studio learning environment and our ability to retain well-equipped workshops in all technical areas with appropriate technical support. Our position within a supportive Polytechnic enables this.
Our graduates work in all fields of art, often complementing their own practice with curatorial work, teaching, public art projects, design projects or work in the arts access field. The skills they learn are transferable to a wide variety of employment situations.
Your workload
You will participate in a weekly public seminar and postgraduate workshop (12.30-5.30pm) where you will have the chance to interact with your fellow students. A one hour weekly meeting with your supervisor(s) will also give you the opportunity to hone your ideas and seek specialist advice in a more intimate environment. The rest of your time will be spent in self-directed study in your studio alongside your postgraduate peers, producing the necessary work to successfully complete the qualification. The School provides around the clock access to its facilities, allowing you the flexibility to study alongside part-time employment or other commitments.
Qualification structure
This semester-long study includes course work on research methodologies with the completion of a 2,000 word essay relevant to a body of critically-engaged studio work.
SEMESTER ONE |
Level |
Credits |
Studio Practice 1A |
8 |
45 |
Research Methodologies |
8 |
15 |
Programme total |
|
60 |
Further study options
If you enjoy this programme and want to continue your study after successfully completing it, you can transfer into the second semester of our Postgraduate Diploma in Visual Arts (another six months of study).
Alternatively, if you achieve an overall grade of B (70%) or higher, you’ll meet the minimum academic entry requirements* for our Master of Visual Arts (another year of study).
*entry requirement subject to final approval
Student loans/allowances
Student loans and allowances are for domestic students only. For information about student loans and allowances please visit the Studylink website. It is important to apply for your student loan/allowance at the same time as you apply for this programme, due to the length of time Studylink take to process. Loan/allowance applications can be cancelled at any time if you decide to withdraw your programme application or if it is unsuccessful.
Recognition of prior learning
If you have extensive knowledge and skills due to practical experience in this area, enquire about our recognition of prior learning process at Capable NZ. You may have already gained credits towards this qualification.
Links to useful websites
Connect with School of Art students, graduates and staff on our very active Facebook page.