Creative Arts and Performing Arts
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Description
Students majoring in Creative and Performing Arts are provided the opportunity to study a range of courses in drama, visual art, and creative writing, taught from an interdisciplinary perspective. Graduates of this major are valued for their communication skills, artistic and creative ability, technical drama knowledge and understanding of interpersonal and group dynamics.
Employment opportunities exist in the arts in both the government and private sectors, as well as in other creative industries such as advertising, journalism, public relations and marketing. Creative and Performing Arts majors may find their employment opportunities in these areas are improved by combining their studies with related courses. Additionally, post-graduate study may provide a variety of other career opportunities in the education, legal and management sectors.
To view current and past student work in this major, see the online showcase.
For more information about Creative Arts, visit the School of Drama, Fine Art and Music site.
View our Bachelor of Arts in the Program Handbook and the online prospectus What Can I Study?.
View our Bachelor of Aboriginal Professional Practice in the Program Handbook and the online prospectus What Can I Study?.
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 the Bachelor of Arts with a mjor in Creative Arts include:
Honours
Postgraduate Study:
Research
Masters by Research
PhD
As the global job sector can be competitive, it is of great advantage to complete a post-graduate 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 post graduate 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 Post Graduate Handbook at http://www.newcastle.edu.au/campaigns/postgrad/.
Sample Jobs
The following list provides some example jobs available to graduates of a Creative and Performing Arts major. 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, while some may require further study.
- Acting/Drama Coach
- Actor
- Animator
- Art Dealer
- Art Director
- Artist-in-residence
- Arts Administrator
- Arts Manager
- Broadcast Journalist
- Casting Director
- Commissioning Editor
- Community Arts Worker
- Dramaturg and Literary Advisor
- Entertainment and Media Production Manager
- Festival/Events Co-ordinator
- Film/Television Production Assistant
- Gallery Manager
- Graphic Designers
- Illustrator
- Journalist
- Lighting Designer
- Media Analyst
- Media Planner
- Museum/Art Gallery Curator
- Museum Visitor Services Coordinator
- Narrator
- Performer
- Photographer
- Playwright
- Policy Officer/Analyst
- Practicing Artist/Craftsperson
- Publications Officer/Editor
- Radio/TV Announcer
- Screenwriter
- Script Manager
- Stage Manager
- TAFE Teacher
- Tour Guide
- University Lecturer / Academic
- Writer
- Youth Worker
Not everyone uses their degree in the same way and the transferable skills gained through university study may allow graduates to pursue a range of careers that might not be directly linked to their study. Below is a sample list of job titles that might be suitable for graduates who have majored in Creative and Performing Arts.
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.
- 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.
- Check your academic program for any courses that involve a placement or the opportunity to undertake an industry based project.
- Check your school for Summer Scholarships for research opportunities.
- Check vacancy sites for advertised traineeships, part time employment and vacation work opportunities in your field.
- Source and approach organisations directly about possible work shadowing or information interview opportunities.
- Source and approach organisations directly for paid work opportunities.
- 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.
Sample Employers
Creative and Performing Arts graduates find employment opportunities in small, medium or large organisations of varying industries. Below are some examples of organisations that may recruit those holding this major. Check employers’ websites for sections titled Employment, Careers, Graduate Programs, or for similar sections. Some employers may also offer vacation work opportunities.
- ACP Magazines (Australia)
- Allen & Unwin (International)
- Arclight Films (International)
- Art Gallery of NSW (Australia)
- Artists in Schools, NSW Department of Education & Training (Australia)
- Ausfilm International (International)
- Austereo (Australia)
- Australia Council for the Arts (International)
- Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) (Australia)
- Australian National Library (Australia)
- Australian Professional Theatre Companies (Australia)
- Australian Regional Gallery listing (Australia)
- Australian Secret Intelligence Service (Australia)
- Australian Taxation Office (Australia)
- Belvoir Street Theatre (Australia)
- Beyond International Films (International)
- Commercial Galleries, Australian listing (Australia)
- Dendy Cinemas (Australia)
- Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (Australia)
- Granada Productions (International)
- Hopscotch Films (International)
- Museum of Contemporary Art (Australia)
- National Archives of Australia (Australia)
- National Art Gallery of Australia (Australia)
- National Museum of Australia (Australia)
- NSW Department of Arts, Sport and Recreation (Australia)
- NSW Department of Education (Australia)
- NSW Local Government (Australia)
- Office for the Arts (Australia)
- Prime Newcastle (Australia)
- Red Rock Global Media (International)
- Regional Arts Australia (Australia)
- RHI Entertainment Australia (Australia)
- Rising Sun Pictures (Australia)
- Saatchi & Saatchi (International)
- SBS Television (Australia)
- Southern Cross Ten (Australia)
- Splash Entertainment (Australia)
- State Theatre Company (SA) (Australia)
- The Sydney Morning Herald (Australia)
- Sydney Theatre Company (Australia)
- Unilever (International)
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 .
Job Prospects and Salary
For up-to-date information please see Job Outlook Australia. This site provides basic Australian labour market information including job prospects, skills requirements and salaries. You might try some of the classifications below as a guide on this site.
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.
- Art Education Australia (Australia)
- Arts Law Centre of Australia Online (Australia)
- Arts NSW (Australia)
- Arts Queensland (Australia)
- ArtsHub (Australia)
- Artsinfo (Australia)
- Australasian Association for Theatre, Drama & Performance Studies (ADSA) (Australia)
- Australia Council for the Arts (Australia)
- Australian Circus and Physical Theatre Association (Australia)
- Australian Culture and Recreation (Australia)
- Australian Directors Guilde (Australia)
- Australian Film Commission (Australia)
- Australian Interactive Media Industry Association (Australia)
- Australian Publishers Association (Australia)
- Australian Writers' Guild (Australia)
- Communications Council (Australia)
- Communications Law Centre (Australia)
- Community Broadcasting Association of Australia (Australia)
- Community Broadcasting Foundation Australia Ltd (Australia)
- Drama Australia (Australia)
- Drama NSW (Australia)
- Hunter Writers Centre (Australia)
- Live Performance Australia (Australia)
- Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance (Australia)
- MusicNSW (Australia)
- National Association for the Visual Arts (Australia)
- Octapod (Newcastle) (Australia)
- OzFilm Resources Listing (Australia)
- OzFilm (Australia)
- Regional Arts NSW (Australia)
- Regional Galleries Association of NSW (Australia)
- Screen Hub (Australia)
- Screen Producers' Association of Australia (Australia)
- Theatre Australia (Australia)
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.
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
- Overseas Jobs
- Mind Exchange: links to job listings in Asia, Europe and Latin America
- International Jobs
- Agency Central: UK recruitment agency and job sites directory
- Command Group: a recruitment company with vacancies in Australia, Hong Kong and Singapore
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.

