怀特克利夫艺术与设计学院

The Fine Arts programme focuses on contemporary arts practice, current theoretical concerns, and formal visual languages.

Our focus is on encouraging the emergence and development of a meaningful artistic practice through a range of creative media. This is underpinned and supported by teaching the necessary skills, techniques and methodologies to foster student’s creative, practical and contextual development.

Students are encouraged to engage with the various aspects of painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, video, digital media and spatial activation. We also offer workshops and special topics classes throughout each year, focusing on specialised areas including moving image and 3D installation.

Whitecliffe gives students individual studio spaces, which can be accessed seven days a week. At the end of each semester, students stage formal assessment exhibitions within their studio spaces. These displays provide opportunities for showcasing work and are essential for resolving existing ideas and considering new directions.

The Whitecliffe Studios provides an excellent site for students, faculty and visiting artists to exhibit. These exhibitions expose students to professional contemporary practice and give them the opportunity to engage with the wider arts community. Students are also encouraged to explore other exhibition initiatives such as artist-run spaces, commercial galleries, and site-specific public spaces.

Year one for fine arts students includes a combination of both general arts and design with specialist fine arts courses. The programme covers practical and theoretical skills and knowledge where students develop core skills in design, drawing, materials and processes, together with critical and contextual studies.

Year two fine arts students develop a broad learning base utilising a variety of media. In semester one, students participate in a series of set assignments, special topics and workshops that assist them to evaluate complex issues and discuss critical frameworks relevant to contemporary art practice. In semester two, students focus on the transition from working with set assignments to work on extended studio based visual and theoretical research.

By the end of Year Three, students will present a professional, well developed body of work that represents an original area of inquiry. This supports their final graduating exhibition. These exhibitions are well attended by industry professionals and are an important opportunity to showcase student work.

Career opportunities

Exhibiting Artist

Curatorial Assistant

Gallery Manager

Secondary School Teacher

Tertiary Teacher

Arts Administrator

Art Consultant

Set Design and Construction

Art Magazine Editor

Art Project Manager