Fine Art

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Undergraduate Degree

Faculty of Education and Arts

Description

The Fine Art program is designed to ensure that each student is able to gain basic knowledge across a range of fine art disciplines, encountering ongoing studio-based experience. The art history and theory courses introduce students to current fine art theory and research methods. Thus, students are allowed to develop their own expression within an art-making context and gain critical skills in examining and interpreting contemporary and historical art.

In the studio program, students will engage in the myriad forms of two- and three-dimensional art, as well as photomedia. Study within these fields may lead to ongoing work and study in the arts, including work as a practicing artist or craftsperson. Graduates are multi-skilled and may also gain employment in arts-related organisations like galleries and museums, art schools and colleges, design studios and community arts organisations. Skills in digital imaging may lead to a range of occupations in commercial art fields such as web design, film/video production, graphic design and the medial. Art has also become of interest in health settings, especially in counselling. Further experience or study may be required to enter into specialist fields, such as that of artists, curators, teachers and therapists.

Direct experience is gained practicing art within the studio courses. Students have the opportunity to participate in the activities of the autonomous student exhibition venue, Watt Space. An elective course is also available, allowing students to practice in a professional studio of a practicing artist or approach external bodies such as private and public galleries to gain experience in curatorial practice.

View examples of students' work on the online gallery.

For more information about Fine Art, visit the School of Drama, Fine Art and Music site.

View our Bachelor of Fine Art (Callaghan Campus) in the Program Handbook and the online prospectus What Can I Study?.

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Further Study Options

Some occupations require a higher level of completed study than an undergraduate degree, and for this reason it is worthwhile considering the range of Honours, Research Higher Degrees (RHD), Postgraduate Coursework programs and additional study options available. These options may also be useful for specialising in a particular area, or to stimulate career change. Some of the future options following a degree in Fine Art include:

Honours: Bachelor of Fine Art (Honours)

Postgraduate Study

Research
Masters by Research
PhD

As the global job sector can be competitive, it is of great advantage to complete a postgraduate qualification, particularly by independent research (such as Masters by Research, or PhD). See examples of research areas within this discipline here.

Coursework
After completing a degree there are a broad range of postgraduate options available in a variety of fields which can allow you to specialise in a particular area of interest or build upon your existing knowledge base. To explore such options please visit the Postgraduate Handbook at http://www.newcastle.edu.au/campaigns/postgrad/.

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Sample Jobs

The following list provides some example jobs available to graduates of Fine Art, in a variety of art and non-art related roles. Some of these jobs will depend on the amount and level of study undertaken, level of experience, the combination of other majors and electives studied, and some may require further study.

Getting the Edge

Most employers seek to recruit people who have relevant work experience and an appreciation for their industry. Here is a check list of ideas about gaining experience and industry knowledge.

  1. Check the type of experience most employers in your field of interest expect. Don’t overlook the part time work you may be currently doing. Most employers understand that the skills are transferrable even if the work is not in their industry.
  2. Check your academic program for any courses that involve a placement or the opportunity to undertake an industry based project.
  3. Check your school for Summer Scholarships for research opportunities.
  4. Check vacancy sites for advertised traineeships, part time employment and vacation work opportunities in your field.
  5. Source and approach organisations directly about possible work shadowing or information interview opportunities.
  6. Source and approach organisations directly for paid work opportunities.
  7. Consider volunteering.

Note: Gaining experience may be important but not at the expense of your studies. Make sure you do not overload your timetable with unrealistic work commitments.

 

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Sample Employers

Many Fine Art graduates set up their own creative businesses, seek funding from arts grants, scholarships and fellowships, or juggle several casual or part time jobs to sustain their art making. Furthermore, non-art related roles may lead to roles in a variety of small, medim or large organisations. The jobs within the larger organisations listed below will depend on the amount and level of study undertaken, level of experience, the combination of other majors and electives studied, while some may require further study.

Recruitment Timing

Some large organisations have specific graduate recruitment programs designed to employ the pick of graduates each year. You must be in your final year of study or recently completed to apply for these programs. The timing of these recruitment drives varies and may occur at any point in the academic year, in some cases starting as early as the first few weeks of the first semester or trimester.

Find out if employers in your area/s of interest have graduate programs, when they typically recruit and what recruitment methods they use. Check with the Careers Service .

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Societies and Associations

Associations and societies often provide relevant and up to date information about a variety of issues relating to specific industry sectors. These can be a good starting point to learn more about occupations through profiles, industry news, links to academic journals and information on research developments. Many also offer student membership, conference and professional development activities, newsletters and the opportunity to participate in projects.


Don’t overlook student societies and associations. As well as student chapters of professional associations, some faculties or schools have discipline based student associations. Check your school or faculty web site; perhaps you might start one if one doesn’t exist.

Some academic disciplines run Seminar Programs that involve regular seminars presented by University of Newcastle academics, visiting academics and postgraduate students. Check your schools website for the timetable.

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Job Search Sites

Searching job sites is a good way to gain an understanding of: industries recruiting professionals in this field; types of roles and the requirements or expectations of employers for these roles. There are many online job search sites, here are a few to start with:

Australian and International

  • CareerHub: the University of Newcastle Careers Service careers and job search site for enrolled students and graduates.

Australian

  • CareerOne: Australia wide job listings, all levels and industries including executive positions
  • MyCareer: Australian and international listings
  • Seek: comprehensive Australian job listings, also includes New Zealand and UK listings
  • The Big Chair: Management and Executive Jobs

International

Sample Job Ads and Tips for Applying

Job ads provide useful information about the job and the required skills, experience and qualifications. Information like this is useful in career planning. Below is a small sample of job ads with tips on planning and job applications; explore further to gather more useful information for your planning.

Please note, the job ads listed on this page are not current and were sourced from a variety of websites in 2010.

 

 

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