Doctor of Visual Arts

Program Overview

The Doctor of Visual Arts is a professional doctorate that extends studio research and practice, making original conceptual advancements in the discipline. It develops expertise for leadership in the field, research skills, and the ability to articulate a theoretical position within a visual arts discourse. The program requires a minimum of two years and a maximum of four years of full-time study or part-time equivalent.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Doctor of Visual Arts is a professional doctorate degree that extends studio research and practice, and makes original conceptual advancements in the discipline. It develops expertise needed to provide leadership in the field, and gain research skills and the ability to articulate a theoretical position within a visual arts discourse.

Objectives:

• Extend studio research and practice
• Make original conceptual advancements in the discipline
• Develop expertise to provide leadership in the field
• Gain research skills
• Articulate a theoretical position within a visual arts discourse

Program Description:

• The program is a time-based Higher Degree Research program requiring a minimum of two years and a maximum of four years of full-time study or part-time equivalent.
• To be eligible for the award of Doctor of Visual Arts, a student must acquire 240 credit points as prescribed below:
• 20 credit points for the prescribed course 8906QCA Visual Arts Research Methods in the first trimester of enrolment
• Complete a research project by enrolling in the Studio Practice and Research course each trimester
• Successfully complete a written component of at least 20,000 words
• In most instances, the studio research will result in a public exhibition of visual art, a public performance or screening of work completed during the candidature.
• The written component or equivalent, to be submitted in the format as prescribed below:
• A written theoretical dissertation that is unambiguously related to the student's research in studio practice
• A written exegesis that:
• Gives a clear description of the research
• Places the research in a disciplinary context
• States how the research was developed
• Explains the techniques and processes used in the work exhibited
• Progress review requirements:
• Completion of the Early Candidature Milestone within 6 months (equivalent full-time) of commencement
• Completion of the Confirmation of Candidature Milestone within 1.5 years of commencement for full time candidates or within 2 years of commencement for part-time candidates
• Completion of the Thesis and Candidature Review Milestone within 2.5 to 2.75 years (equivalent full-time) of commencement

Outline:

Content:

• Visual Arts Research Methods
• Studio Practice and Research

Structure:

• The program is offered full-time or part-time.
• The full-time program is typically completed in two years, while the part-time program is typically completed in four years.
• The program consists of coursework and a research project.
• The coursework component includes the following courses:
• Visual Arts Research Methods
• Studio Practice and Research
• The research project component involves the development of a body of original research in the field of visual arts.

Course Schedule:

• The course schedule for the program is as follows:
• Trimester 1:
• Visual Arts Research Methods
• Trimester 2:
• Studio Practice and Research
• Trimester 3:
• Studio Practice and Research
• Trimester 4:
• Studio Practice and Research
• Trimester 5:
• Studio Practice and Research
• Trimester 6:
• Studio Practice and Research
• Trimester 7:
• Studio Practice and Research
• Trimester 8:
• Studio Practice and Research

Individual Modules with Descriptions:

• Visual Arts Research Methods: This course provides students with the theoretical and methodological foundations for conducting research in the field of visual arts.
Topics covered include research design, data collection, and analysis, and the ethical considerations involved in research.
• Studio Practice and Research: This course provides students with the opportunity to develop a body of original research in the field of visual arts.
Students will work under the supervision of a faculty member to develop a research project that is both theoretically informed and practically relevant.

Assessment:

• The program is assessed through a combination of coursework and research.
• The coursework component is assessed through a variety of methods, including essays, presentations, and portfolios.
• The research project component is assessed through a final dissertation.

Teaching:

• The program is taught by a team of experienced faculty members who are active in the field of visual arts.
• The program uses a variety of teaching methods, including lectures, seminars, workshops, and tutorials.
• The program also provides students with access to a range of resources, including a dedicated research center, a library, and a studio space.

Careers:

• The program prepares students for a variety of careers in the field of visual arts, including:
• Artist
• Curator
• Educator
• Researcher
• Arts administrator