Research

School of Art research focuses on contemporary art, photography, sound and craft.

CAST (Contemporary Art and Social Transformation) is the School's core research group. CAST leads collaborative socially-engaged artistic projects in fields including public art, creative care and art and ecology, with a particular interest in how artistic practice intersects with issues of equity, access and democracy.

In partnership with community, industry and government partners, our staff and postgraduate researchers work locally, nationally and internationally to undertake research and present their work.

Bailey Peninsula Eastern Antarctica

Our artistic research is exhibited at prestigious national venues such as the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art, the Museum of Contemporary Art and National Gallery of Victoria, as well as internationally at venues including Tate Modern; Institute of Contemporary Art, Singapore; Museum for Moderne Art, Arnhem, Netherlands; and Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art.

Postgraduate research programs

As a postgraduate research candidate in the School of Art, you will be supervised by experts in your field. The School of Art offers a rigorous, supportive and dynamic environment where the investigation of ideas and material practice informs the production of contemporary art, photography, sound and craft. Central to the program is a balance between studio practice and the conceptual and theoretical concerns that underpin creative research.

Candidates engage with their peers to develop extended dialogues and provide critical support for each other’s research. Being part of the RMIT School of Art means you are part of a global community with opportunities for debate and relationships.

The School of Art offers the following postgraduate research programs:

Postgraduate research in these programs may be carried out through a practice- based project combined with an exegesis/dissertation, or by a theoretical thesis.

Please refer to the Find a Project page for information on current research projects in the school. Applicants are to align their intended research with one of these projects in their Expression of Interest. Each project is led by a group of experienced research supervisors, who welcome new researchers to propose independent projects that align with the overall project description.

You are required to submit a research proposal, CV and folio of works (for practice-based projects) as part of your formal Expression of Interest.

Before you apply

  • Refer to How to apply for information on the application process and key dates.
  • Check your eligibility: Ensure that you meet the entry requirements for Postgraduate Research programs at RMIT. (Please note that RMIT will consider cases for equivalence where an applicant’s professional achievements and industry esteem are exceptional and demonstrated in the application.)
  • Identify the Research Project you wish to apply for and prepare an initial draft research proposal aligning your independent research idea with the project description.
  • Make contact with potential supervisors to seek their agreement to supervise and/or further develop your research topic for your EOI. Supervisors attached to each project are listed in the Project Guide. As a general rule, the first named supervisors are project leaders and suggested as potential Senior Supervisors.
  • The agreement of two available supervisors that are currently registered to supervise research at RMIT is required to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI).
  • Submit your EOI online (via the link below) uploading your proposal, CV, folio and evidence of agreement to supervise from two research supervisors.
  • If your EOI is successful, you will be invited to submit a full application for admissions.
Person holding yellow blocks.

Find supervisors and explore projects

With a broad scope of exciting projects, we can help you identify and secure the project that best aligns with your experience, needs and vision.

 

Important dates

Please refer to the RMIT School of Graduate Research website for important dates relating to current admission and scholarship rounds.

As a general rule, the School of Art considers applications for a mid-year and end of year round, tied in with the scholarship timelines published on the School of Graduate Research website.

Contact information

Coordinator of Postgraduate Research: Associate Professor Keely Macarow

Application enquiries: sgr.admissions@rmit.edu.au

CAST

CAST (Contemporary Art and Social Transformation) is the School's core research group, leading collaborative socially-engaged artistic projects. CAST has established capability in the areas of public art, socially-engaged art (including culturally-driven social enterprises), art and the environment (Aegis network) and art and education; and emerging strengths in creative care, migration and mobilities and queer creative practices. 

Image credits

  • Associate Professor Philip Samartzis, Bailey Peninsula, Eastern Antarctica, 2016, Photograph 
    Photo taken while Associate Professor Samartzis was undertaking fieldwork at Casey Station as the Australian Antarctic Division Arts Fellow
aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Luwaytini' by Mark Cleaver, Palawa.

aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.