Program Details

The Master of Art (MArt) is a three session coursework masters program that provides an intensive postgraduate experience in contemporary fine art practice. The program is structured to further one's own practice or form an introduction for those who are new to the field of Fine Arts practice.

When you choose to study fine arts at COFA you are provided with a lively and critically supportive context in which you will be able to undertake exploration and research across genre and media. This is possible under the guidance and mentoring of a committed staff of nationally and internationally recognised artist educators and researchers.

Students can also apply for the Graduate Diploma (two sessions full-time) or Graduate Certificate (one session full-time).

The Master of Art program provides a foundation or an extension for people who are, or would like to become, practicing artists in the visual arts or related fields. It allows a focused investigation into art practice, which is grounded in critical and investigative thinking and which also prepares students for further study at research level.

The main discipline areas within the MArt in which students can major are: Painting; Drawing; Printmaking; Sculpture, Performance and Installation; Photomedia; and Time-Based-Art. Interdisciplinary practice is encouraged and research excellence promoted.

Graduates of the Master of Art program generally work as practicing artists and/or find employment in the arts industry. For example:

• A graduate in the area of Sculpture may be employed in community arts education; in the arts industry as preparators, arts officers, curators, exhibition designers; in film, theatre and television as producers, set designers and prop makers; and in collaboration with architects, private clients and urban planners to produce site specific sculpture for interior and public locations.
• A graduate in the area of Time-Based-Art may work in the film industry dealing with digital and sound technology. Alternatively, they may find work assisting in the making of films, documentaries, advertisements or videos. Time-Based-Art graduates are also familiar with CD-ROM and web page design and management techniques and may work in one or both of these areas.
• A Painting graduate may exhibit and sell their work through galleries and/or museums. They may also work in galleries as curators or administrative staff or produce work for public of private commission. Skills and insights that are learned in the degree could enable graduates to work in many other related fields.

Many graduates of the Master of Art and subsequent research programs at COFA have achieved national recognition by winning prizes such as - the prestigious Blake and Archibald Prizes, the Helen Lempriere Travelling  Art Scholarship, the Fulbright and Rotary scholarships, the Samstag Award and ‘Sculpture by the Sea’.