This qualification reflects the role of independent professional visual arts practitioners who have a command of wide-ranging, highly specialised technical, creative and conceptual skills and knowledge. These skills allow practitioners to extend and refine their practice to a point where they are able to originate, realise and exhibit a substantial body of resolved work that expresses their individual creative vision. The ability to engage in critical discourse and debate about one’s own work and the work of others is underpinned by a mature engagement with a range of theoretical concepts and historical perspectives.
Visual artists work in a wide range of contexts across the arts and other industries. They are often sole practitioners but may also hold positions in government or commercial organisations, bringing the visual arts perspective to areas such as business, community services and science. At this level, they may also teach art in a range of different community contexts.
Independent artists work within and across many media, and their practice may incorporate ceramics, digital art, glasswork, drawing and illustration, jewellery making, painting, photomedia, printmaking, public art, sculpture, textiles or wood design. They may also be involved in installation and public art work. More broadly, visual artists often teach in a range of community settings.
Subjects
Total number of units = 12
7 core units plus
5 elective units
The elective units consist of:
2 units from Group A
1 unit from Group B or Group C
of the remaining 2 units:
up to 2 may be from Group A, Group B and/or Group C
up to 2 may be from a Diploma or above in any currently endorsed Training Package or accredited course.
The elective units chosen must be relevant to the work outcome and meet local industry needs.
Core units
BSBCRT601A Research and apply concepts and theories of creativity
CUVPRP505A Establish and maintain safe professional practice
CUVACD601A Extend professional expertise with drawing and other visual representation tools
CUVPRP601A Originate a body of independent creative work
CUVPRP603A Engage in the business of creative practice
CUVPRP604A Publicly present a body of own creative work
The following examples are designed to assist in the selection of appropriate electives for particular outcomes at this level, but are in no way prescriptive.
Artist specialising in any creative form
Core units plus:
BSBIPR501A Manage intellectual property to protect and grow business
CUVPRP602A Collaborate in professional creative projects
CUVPRP605A Evolve ideas for professional creative work
CUVPRP606A Extend expertise in a specialised art form to professional level
Pathways...
Pathways into the qualification
People entering this qualification will have well-developed artistic skills and knowledge which may have been achieved through experience in a creative field or through formal study. It is recommended that people possess CUV50111 Diploma of Visual Arts or a diploma qualification in a related field.
Pathways from the qualification
This qualification prepares people for independent practice as a professional visual artist. Its conceptual and theoretical content also supports learning in higher education across a broad range of arts-related disciplines.
Entry Requirements
To enter this qualification, people must have the skills and knowledge described in the following units of competency:
CUVACD501A Refine drawing and other visual representation tools
Those skills and knowledge may have been acquired through experience in a creative field or through formal study.
Licensing Information
No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.
Employability Skills
The following table contains a summary of the employability skills as identified by the visual arts, craft and design industries for this qualification. The employability skills facets described here are broad industry requirements that may vary depending on qualification packaging options.
Employability skill
Industry/enterprise requirements for this qualification
Communication
articulating and debating complex ideas
communicating effectively with other on creative and technical issues
researching wide-ranging historical and contemporary information
developing and maintaining effective networks
reading and interpreting a range of complex information related to working at a professional level in the creative arts industry
presenting and promoting work to others
documenting own work as a professional artist
Teamwork
building professional collaborative relationships
maximising the potential of individual strengths within a collaborative creative project
Problem-solving
dealing with complex concepts and theories of creativity
developing and applying a range of strategies to resolve issues in professional creative projects
evaluating the effectiveness of different approaches to achieve different artistic effects
Initiative and enterprise
communicating ideas through creative expertise
initiating creative and innovative ideas
refining own individual style of creative expression at a professional level
integrating knowledge of current and emerging trends in own design work
thinking laterally about how own skills and knowledge can be applied professionally
demonstrating originality and innovative approaches to the creation of artworks
Planning and organising
establishing goals for professional creative projects
managing the complete creative project from initial ideas to realisation of final work
planning practice to improve own artistic technique
using time-management strategies to set priorities
Self-management
reviewing and reflecting on own work practice
researching and critically analysing current and emerging industry business practices
engaging with industry at a professional level
integrating professional standards and codes into own practice
Learning
developing specialised expertise with chosen techniques and art forms
developing and extending professional expertise in a range of professional and creative skills
using research and networks to proactively extend own skills and professional opportunities
identifying opportunities to maintain and enhance industry knowledge and engagement
developing and maintaining the legal knowledge required to operate a professional practice
Technology
maximising the potential of specialised technologies relevant to own creative practice
proactively using the internet as a sophisticated research tool
