Postgraduate Diploma in Visual Arts

Summary

Advance your art studies and enhance your career prospects in the Arts industry.

This programme gives you the opportunity to undertake practical and theory-based guided art research in a structured learning environment. A postgraduate qualification in the Visual Arts can lead to an exciting and diverse range of art professions, and the skills you develop are transferable to a wide variety of employment situations in education, or the arts industry and management. Perfect as a springboard into further postgraduate study, the Master of Visual Arts would be a logical extension to this qualification and may lead to higher level employment opportunities in the art and design sector.

With support and advice from highly experienced tutors, create a systematic and professionally-exhibited body of work, accompanied by two written texts that demonstrate your intellectual rigour and contemporary relevance. Benefit from Otago Polytechnic's nationally unique range of workshop facilities and 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.

You will study

This programme provides you with the opportunity to further develop your undergraduate experience of the history and contemporary conventions of your chosen field, within appropriate learning contexts at a postgraduate level.

Qualification structure

Semester one includes coursework on research methodologies with the completion of a 2,000 word essay relevant to a body of critically-engaged studio work.

Semester two builds on semester one leading to further development of the studio work and the completion of a 3,000 word essay on related contemporary practices.

Further study options

If you achieve an overall grade of B (70%) or higher during your Postgraduate Diploma, you’ll meet the minimum academic entry requirements for our Master of Visual Arts (another year of study). Alternatively, you could choose to pursue our Master of Fine Arts (another two years of study).

Your workload

You will participate in a weekly public seminar and postgraduate workshop (12.30-5.30 pm) 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.