Bachelor of Visual Arts

In th Bachelor of Visual Arts degree, you can specialise in paint/print, photography or sculpture.

Paint/Print pathway

You'll approach image making as a process that involves fluid interaction between visual qualities, ideas, technologies and media. Using media and technologies in ways that suit your inventive purposes, you'll then develop a territory of interest for art making. Participate in workshops and seminars on painting concepts and techniques, printmaking concepts and techniques, studio practice and how to work with ideas and images, and on the critical analysis of works of art.

Photography pathway

Develop an independent lens-based direction from a foundation of learning in photographic theory and technical learning. You'll learn work with a broad range of high-end equipment and facilities, including large format analogue photography, studio lighting and digital processes that include moving image work. By questioning what photography is and how it operates in the world today, you'll develop a photographic art practice that is critical and current.

Sculpture pathway

Explore the breadth of sculptural artworks and contexts in contemporary art. You'll be encouraged to develop individual approaches to your making through experimental and open-ended investigative methods. There's a strong focus on the exploration of sculptural concepts and ideas driving contemporary art, inclusive of materiality, time, objects, space, site and place as well as installation, performance and social art practice. In the final year, students develop individual projects based on their own research interests and related media, methods and processes.

Minors

To help you develop a broad range of skills, you study a minor (60 points) as part of this degree:

Your study is based in the making of art, supported by theory classes along with a mix of one-on-one tutorials, group critiques, seminars, exhibitions, visits from artists and critics, noho marae, and gallery visits.

Bachelor of Visual Arts papers are delivered over either one semester or a full year. You need to complete 120 points each year and 360 points for the entire degree. In each year you will study and complete core compulsory papers alongside your selected minor.

Year 1

Explore the fundamentals of visual arts theory and practice. You're encouraged to develop your own artistic interests and approaches to art-making. In Semester 2, you specialise in paint/print, photography or sculpture.

You study the following papers

• VSAR501 Visual Arts Studio I (30 points)
• VSAR502 Visual Arts Theory I (30 points)
• SAR503 Visual Arts Core Studio (45 points)

You also study one paper from your chosen minor.

Year 2

You continue doing a mix of studio and theory papers, becoming increasingly self-reliant. You develop advanced visual, media, method and conceptual skills, and create a coherent body of art that incorporates complexity and subtlety.

You study the following papers

• VSAR601 Visual Arts Studio II (60 points)
• VSAR602 Visual Arts Theory II (30 points)

You also study two papers from your chosen minor.

Year 3

At the end of Year 3 of the Bachelor of Visual Arts, you have the opportunity to exhibit your work through the AUT School of Art and Design festival

You study the following papers

• VSAR701 Visual Arts Studio III (75 points)
• VSAR702 Visual Arts Theory III (15 points)
• VSAR703 Visual Arts Professional Practice (15 points)

You also study one paper from your chosen minor.

More details about papers in this programme

Search for a paper (Arion)

Detailed progamme structure and paper outlines (Blackboard)

Email artbox@aut.ac.nz

Enrolment in papers is subject to meeting all requirements and availability of papers.

Broaden your options by studying double degrees

Double degrees double your knowledge and opportunities but don't take double the time to complete. If you study double degrees, you apply for and enrol separately in each of the two degrees. If you’re considering doing this, please seek course advice to discuss your plans. You may be able to cross-credit relevant papers from one degree to the other, although the number of cross-credits will vary depending on the degree combinations. Double degrees may be completed either one after the other or concurrently.

Study the Bachelor of Visual Arts and:

• Bachelor of Business

Detailed programme structure

By studying both degrees you develop design skills for roles in visual arts and business. This includes the ability to create high value products, services and brands, and to balance creative design and strategic thinking to complement design and business.

Postgraduate study

Postgraduate study will open up even more career opportunities for you. A one-year honours degree or 18-months master's degree will enable you to specialise in and research a particular area within your chosen discipline.

• Bachelor of Art and Design (Honours)
• Master of Visual Arts