Graduate Certificate in Arts and Community Engagement

The course is an introduction to Arts and Community Engagement project developments within the broad practice of Community Cultural Development (CCD). It is a highly practical and skill based study program that is underpinned by theoretical frameworks, reading discussions, visiting guest speakers, group workshops and individual goal setting. It is delivered in an intensive model across 100 hours.

The study program will be delivered as experiential learning and will include examination of the current community contexts of the creative arts as a community-based practice. It aims to build awareness of the principles of community development & empowerment, as well as improving understanding of concepts of culture & cultural diversity, identity & narratives of representation, and the collaborative role of the creative artist and entrepreneur in community leadership. It is a course to prepare a pathway into many sectors of community life and to meet employment needs in cross-sectoral organisations, It is made up of four modules or subjects following a pedagogical progression culminating in the student presenting an ‘real world’ project proposal.

• Display ability for collaborative & participatory practice in the creative arts within a community engagement model.
• Demonstrate an understanding of and examine current community cultural development practice.
• Work collaboratively & confidently as a community facilitator & cultural animateur across a range of disciplines and creative art practices.
• Communicate with high level of action research, verbal, and written skills.
• Exhibit the skills to interpret, analyse and problem solve.
• Present and implement a developed knowledge of the creative processes within a community-based arts program.

• Understand the concepts of culture, cultural diversity & identity, personal & interpersonal competencies and ethics in a community context.
• Display the skills of Intercultural dialogue and exchange.
• Have a broad global understanding, with high regard for human rights equity and ethics.
• Express an arts & community practice in an accessible form at a community level.
• Ability to strategically broker and network cross-sectional partnerships within a broad based arts and cultural domain.
• Ability to employ creative methodologies & evaluation measures.
• Understanding education methodology as a keep component of CCD.
• Promote social inclusion, build community leadership and foster community cultural renewal.

These skills will enable the student to be academically excellent, knowledgeable across disciplines, leaders in the community, attuned to cultural diversity and active global citizens. Thus fulfilling the Attributes of a graduate according to Learning and Teaching Plan 2007.

Four compulsory subjects, 12.5 credit points each.

1. In order to be considered for entry, applicants must have completed:
• either
– an undergraduate degree in performing arts or visual arts; or
– an undergraduate degree in another relevant discipline; or
– at least three years of documented professional practice in the creative arts industry.
Meeting these requirements does not guarantee selection.

2. In ranking applications, the Selection Committee will consider:
• prior academic performance; and/or where relevant
• the professional practice.

3. The Selection Committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Academic Board rules on the use of selection instruments.

4. Applicants are required to satisfy the university’s English language requirements for postgraduate courses. For those applicants seeking to meet these requirements by one of the standard tests approved by the Academic Board, performance band 6.5 is required.

Participants should posses and/or display the potential within skill areas such as:

• creative arts industry – performing arts, circus, graphic design, digital media arts , music, painting, sculptor etc.
• competencies in applying tools & techniques in imaginative play, lateral thinking, interpersonal & intrapersonal skills, social creativity, emotional & multiple intelligence methods,
• commitment to an intensive Summer or Winter School study model.

Graduates may progress to a wide range of other graduate coursework or research higher degree programs.

http:www.unimelb.edu.au/about/attributes.html

On completion of this course the students should demonstrate the ability to:

• work across disciplines, create and organise a range of aesthetic material
• communicate with high level use of verbal and written skill sets
• collaborate and be flexible
• use a range of research tools and methodologies
• lead others in the skills of problem solving
• interpret and analyse with a capacity for critical thinking
• reflect and evaluate to employ innovation methodologies
• work as a leader showing initiative and openness

network, broker and mentor