Successfully complete the Diploma course and then continue to the Advanced Diploma of Visual Arts. When you study a visual art course, you'll create a professional folio of work. This diploma is taught by practicing artists in real studio environments. All of our staff are practicing artists with national and international reputation in the arts. This enables them to connect you to work on projects with industry, other practicing artists, and galleries.

The one-year Diploma offers both practical and theoretical courses, which have been developed in conjunction with the arts industry. It is designed to prepare you for a career in the visual arts or other related creative fields.

On completion of the first year, you will transition to the Advanced Diploma of Visual Arts. This is also a one-year course, which allows you to further investigate your creative practice with a more specialised focus.

A major focus is the production of a professional folio of work that reflects your personal creativity. The folio will display a sequential development, with emphasis on the acquisition of skills and the adaptation of those skills to the production of artworks with a sound personal philosophical base.

The course has a strong focus on exhibition practice and providing practical experience in the arts industry. You will undertake independent studio practice and develop a wide-range of highly specialised technical, creative and conceptual skills and knowledge.

Career Outcomes

You will have the knowledge and confidence to shape your future as a self-employed art practitioner, as a paid employee in the visual art and crafts industry, or as a high-level support staff member in an arts-related industry.

Artists can be employed in a number of areas, including self-employment, project-based work, in schools, councils and government organisations, public project and commission-based work and as artists in residence. Artists may work in private studios or collective artist run spaces.

Students who complete the Diploma or Advanced Diploma of Visual Arts may also continue with their studies in higher education.

You can choose to pursue further study or undertake work in a multitude of arts-related industries, such as gallery or museum work, community arts or as an art practitioner.

You will graduate with the knowledge and confidence to make appropriate decisions regarding your future in arts roles such as:

• self-employed art practitioner
• paid employee in the visual art and crafts industry
• high-level support staff in art-related industries
• artist
• gallery or museum assistant/officer.

Professional recognition and accreditation

Current students can join the Design Institute of Australia (DIA) as student members. Graduates can apply for associate membership and full membership once they have obtained their professional experience.

Please note: eligibility for DIA full membership is based on a points system.