Adelaide College of the Arts is a dynamic training centre for visual arts, housing a first-class gallery, versatile exhibition spaces, fully equipped workshops and modern studios.
Students in visual arts are able expand their creative thinking and practices, while developing an individual creative identity. Courses in visual arts are aimed at people who wish to work as practising artists, craftspeople, or in work that requires creative thinking or expression. Students develop skills that are highly technical, while learning to express conceptual qualities that are both contemporary and aesthetic.
Studio studies are supplemented with core studies in art history and visual language, drawing, concept development and design. Units in art practice enable students to mirror real-life practice as an artist and prepare our graduates ready for their career in contemporary visual arts.Courses in visual art at AC Arts cover a range of studio disciplines:
- Ceramics
- Digital media
- Drawing
- Jewellery
- Painting
- Photography
- Printmaking
- Sculpture
Facilities
AC Arts is a modern, iconic centre built in 2001 specifically for arts training. It includes purpose-built studios and workshops with industry-standard equipment and technologies that ensure learning is relevant and student-focused. This means all computer facilities, as well as subject-specific resources such as easels, cameras and jewellery benches, are modern and fully equipped.
Studios at AC Arts are designed to capture the natural light and, with large, open display and student amenity spaces, visual art students can mix with other performance-based art students, creating a communal atmosphere that promotes the exchange of artistic ideas.
Light Square Gallery, housed within AC Arts, promotes and supports the contemporary work of emerging local, national and international artists. Diverse exhibitions showcase to students the standards, skills and conceptual commitment of contemporary visual art practice.
Regional program
Visual Art and Contemporary Craft courses are also run from TAFE SA Mount Barker, Mount Gambier and O'Halloran Hill campuses, with specialisations including painting, concept design, drawing, ceramics, sculpture, textiles, art history, professional practice and colour theory.
Employment
Graduates are employed across many occupational sectors, with many operating as self-employed practising artists. Artists are employed in galleries, studios, or work with festivals, schools and education providers, or within the tourism and retail sectors.
Arts administration and arts management provide job opportunities for people to work in art-based or community-based organisations where the creative arts are a focus.
Many graduates undertake further study in visual arts at Honours or Masters level, while a visual arts qualification with a degree in education provides an avenue into teaching.
Industry partners
The Helpmann Academy is a partnership of the major tertiary arts training establishments in South Australia, including the state’s universities and TAFE SA. The Helpmann Academy assists emerging artists by fostering collaboration between artists and creating opportunities via grants, awards, exhibitions, professional mentorships, publicity programs and international exchange programs.