Studio Studies 1

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

200-300 Hours

Students undertaking this subject are expected to have some experience in the making of visual art.

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Within the Studio Studies programme students are introduced to a range of materials, methods, techniques and concepts that provide a focus for their studies according to specific, technological and material practices relevant to the Drawing and Printmedia, Painting, Photography, Sculpture & Spatial Studies programmes.

Through a range of activities including structured projects, individual work plans, classes and workshops, students begin to approach self-directed studio practice. Students are encouraged to explore their ideas and concepts and investigate and experiment with a range of materials and processes. Students are expected to begin to articulate and discuss their work and the work of others in a contemporary visual art context. The component of methods and materials introduces the students to fundamental tools, skills, techniques and working processes of their particular discipline and emphasises safe work practices.

This subject should enable students to:
• comprehend and apply fundamental skills and techniques and gain knowledge and understanding of a range of methods and materials to enable confidence in exploring and experimenting with a variety of working processes;
• have confidence to analyse and articulate concepts and ideas through the individual and group tutorials and classes offered within the studio context;
• gain foundations for a practical understanding and application of sound occupational health and safety practices.
• gain skills that lead to becoming professional practitioners in the contemporary visual arts field;
• learn the skills and techniques required for contemporary art production;
• encourage the simultaneous development of students' conceptual and technical abilities by providing a study program that is designed to relate to the practical and theoretical requirement of visual art disciplines;
• enhance student awareness of their relationship with and responsibility to their cultural environment and society by providing opportunities for informed critical enquiry, social interaction and cultural exploration during their studies;
• to learn aspects of the history and theory of the visual arts and culture in order to build up their understanding and knowledge of the past and present.

Assessment is based on a substantial folio of work (100%) demonstrating the range of a student's activities during the semester, including any group of finished works, support work, drawings, journals/sketchbooks etc. and other works/material in any media the student chooses to submit. Ongoing feedback is provided to students via individual and group tutorials. The mid-semester review takes into account the student's progress against the following criteria:

• Course engagement
• Work development
• Studio use

Formal feedback is given to students who are deemed to be at risk. Academic staff write progress reports during the semester that students sight and sign. A single mark is assigned at the end of the semester.

Incidental Fees will apply for the purpose of accessing workshops/labs and purchase of materials as relevant.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On completing this subject students should be able to:
• demonstrate capacities for artistic imagination, creativity, transformation and interpretation;
• demonstrate practical skills in respect of critical analysis, problem solving, report writing, team work and oral and written communication;
• demonstrate a flexible and innovative approach to the national and international challenges for the professional visual artist in the 21st century;
• work at various levels, both as an individual and as a team member, in a wide variety of visual artistic environments;
• demonstrate an open, independent and inquiring attitude towards contemporary cultural developments and new ideas;
• understand their relationship with and responsibility to their cultural environment and society.