Indigenous Arts Unit

The Indigenous Arts Unit is a Tafe programme situated at the RMIT Bundoora Campus. In 2006 the unit will offer the Certificate III in Aboriginal or Torres Strait Cultural Studies and the Diploma of Arts (Visual Arts).

The Certificate III award is a one-year full-time course that provides an introduction to both studio-based and cultural arts practices. The core studies include Drawing and Art History and the minor studies offered are Painting, Printmaking, Electronic Design and Professional Arts Practice.

The Diploma of Arts award is a two-year full-time course, offering skills-based training in visual arts including a specialisation in Painting and Studio and Materials. Core units include ATSI Context and Culture and Life Drawing. The minor courses are Printmaking and Electronic Design.

A part-time course of study is also available for both programmes.

On completion, each award may lead to pathways in arts-related careers and /or further study

Both courses have been specifically developed for Indigenous learners and aim to promote an awareness of ATSI cultural identity. Emphasis is placed on producing and developing artwork that reflects a high standard of creativity through the exploration of materials and techniques and personal enquiry.

There are no pre-requisites for each course; however, students are required to participate in a preliminary interview.

Enrolments are expected to take place in late January with an Orientation week scheduled for February prior to the commencement of Semester One.

The Indigenous Arts Unit is an active partner within the Koori community and in 2005 saw the formation of an Elders art programme with ACES. Our arts industry partners were represented by the Bundoora Homestead Art Gallery, of the City of Darebin, and the Koori Heritage Trust.

In July 2005 the unit hosted the Grugidj graduate exhibition at the Faculty Gallery of the School of Art featuring graduating Diploma students Jarrod Atkinson, Turbo Brown and Elders Uncle Herb Patten and Aunty Bunta Patten. This exhibition resulted in the acquisition of number of artworks by the National Gallery of Victoria.

Other student achievements included the inclusion of Turbo Brown as a finalist in the Telstra National Indigenous Art Prize and Aunty Bunta Patten receiving the Deadly Arts Award of the Victorian Indigenous Art prize.

For course enquiries please contact-

Kellyann Geurts / Fay Reynolds at the School of Art on 99254472

Indigenous Arts Unit Brochure (cover & inside)

For Indigenous student support please contact Eric Clarke, Koori Liaison Officer, at the RMIT ATSI Liaison Unit on 99254885.

NGV acquires RMIT indigenous artwork