Master of Arts (Art in Public Space)
Quick facts
Student type:
Quick facts
-
Entry score
Not applicable
-
Duration
Full-time 2 years, Part-time 4 years, Reduced duration available -
Location
Melbourne City -
Fees
AU $25,920 (2022 annual)
Next intake
February, JulyEntry score
Not applicable
Duration
Full-time 2 yearsLocation
Melbourne CityFees
AU$34,560 (2022 annual)
Next intake
February
Overview
In the Master of Arts (Art in Public Space), you are invited to further develop your practical and theoretical knowledge in the field.
This degree brings together both education and research and encourages active collaboration between art and design practitioners and the community. You will address issues within art in public space that are central to current international cultural debate. You will gain a broad understanding of discourses and practices of public art by examining current definitions of public space, and learning to deal with the challenges that arise from such definitions.
You will explore multiple views of how art is presented and received in the urban context and address questions such as:
- Where are the spaces that enable art to be an active interpretation, rather than decoration, of the city?
- Who should define policies for public culture?
- How can art negotiate the new spaces of the contemporary public sphere, such as the internet?
“I wanted to pursue postgraduate study in Art in Public Space at RMIT so that I could strengthen my producing practice through expanding my curatorial and artistic methodologies in public art. The program was really beneficial in recontextualising my practice and building up my own modes of inquiry into public space through the model of site-responsive artist residencies and laboratories.”
- Ilana Russell, Master of Arts (Art in Public Space)
Details
As a student of this degree, you will have access to dedicated studios, equipment and specialised technical advice to realise your projects across a range of sites.
You will have lecturers who are practicing artists and creative practice researchers with extensive experience in their field, as well as access to expertise of a technician. You will also have access to the PS50 public exhibition program and other on-site projects that are developed with non-government organisations, government, community and cultural organisations, cultural institutions and industry partners.
Early in the degree, the focus is on collaborative projects that expose you to new ideas and methods of working. Throughout your study you will develop projects that reflect your specific interests and will culminate in a major project that is assessed through documentation in a research catalogue and public presentation at a postgraduate conference.
The Master of Arts (Art in Public Space) nurtures a cohesive learning environment by combining small group and individual practices and encouraging collaborative projects and peer to peer discussions.
In this degree, you will have the opportunity to work directly with leading-edge industry partners through practical research projects.
You will have access to public art opportunities and projects developed with government and non-government organisations, community and cultural institutions, and industry partners. In previous years, we have worked with Melbourne Water, City of Hume, City Space Architecture (Bologna, Italy), and Heide Museum’s Centre for Projection Art.
The content of this degree is global in outlook. International opportunities available to you include residencies, field trips, exchanges and study tours. Students have the opportunity to collaborate and work with peers from around the world including London, Italy, The Netherlands and China.
The capstone experience of this degree will bring together your comprehensive research and catalogue in a presentation at the Art in Public Space postgraduate conference.
2 years full-time or 4 years part-time (without advanced standing).
1 - 1.5 years full-time or part-time equivalent (with advanced standing).
For further information about advanced standing see the Pathways section.
The Graduate Certificate in Art in Public Space and Graduate Diploma in Art in Public Space are available as exit awards of this degree. Any advanced standing you receive for the masters program is not transferrable to an exit award. If you wish to exit early with one of these programs, you must have completed all courses specified in the relevant program structure.
Throughout your degree you will complete core subjects, including multiple studios, and subjects that cover critical frameworks, research, and professional creative practice. In addition to your core subjects, you will also have the opportunity to select multiple electives that allow you to further specialise and hone your practice.
This degree is designed to be focused on you: your interests and your practice. You will develop your experience as a practitioner working in the public realm. You will reflect on your specific interests and develop projects that reflect your research interests.
Choose a program structure
| Title | Location | Duration | Plan code | CRICOS | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Arts (Art in Public Space) | City Campus |
2 years full-time
4 years part-time
reduced duration available
|
2 years full-time
|
MC281 | 103235B |
Choose a program structure
Program code: MC281
Career
As a graduate of the Master of Arts (Art in Public Space), you will have the skills required to produce public art projects in professional environments, and the expertise to work in the field of criticism and specialised arts management. Graduates are often employed as client representatives and public art project, business and site managers.
Public art is an expanding field of arts practice that is increasingly supported by government in Australia and overseas. Due to the strong industry support, the field is continuously developing new and inventive arts practices.
Graduates will be qualified for such roles as:
- practicing artist
- cultural development officer specialising in public art
- art in public space project manager
- curator specialising in public art.
Architects and designers also undertake this degree to further develop their careers in their existing fields.
Admissions
You must have:
- successfully completed an Australian Bachelor degree (or equivalent overseas qualification) or
- have at least 5 years of relevant work experience or professional practice.
To have your professional experience considered you must include in your application a CV and a personal statement that details your experience.
You must have successfully completed an Australian Bachelor degree or equivalent overseas qualification.
You may also be considered if you have at least 5 years work experience or professional practice.
To have your professional experience considered you must include in your application a CV and a personal statement that details your experience.
Semester 2, 2022
You must:
- submit the Art in Public Space selection task by 15 July 2022. Entry into this program is competitive, and applications are assessed in the order that they are received until this date, if places are still available. For your best chance at admission into this program, you are encouraged to apply as early as possible. The link to submit your selection task will appear on the applicant dashboard after you have submitted your application.
- attend an interview.
Selection task
The selection task requires:
- a statement describing your current practice. This statement could include: art, design, performance work (include any website links) and the interests you want to address with this program (maximum 250 words).
- a folio. Your folio should be a package of images that may include but are not limited to: drawings, sketches, paintings, models, photographs, and/or digital works that describe your practice. You should include a description of the concepts/ideas/context that lead to the works represented in your folio. You may upload your folio or supply a URL to your online folio or website, containing a maximum of 20 pages (maximum size 10MB). If your work is a collaboration, please detail precisely your role, and the role of the collaborator/s (maximum 200 words).
Semester 1, 2023
Selection task details and submission dates will be available on 1 August 2022.
Pre-selection kit: You are required to submit a completed pre-selection kit (PDF 124kb) along with your application.
Interview: You must attend an interview. The interview will be either in person or via telephone/video call.
To study this program you will need to complete one of the following English proficiency tests:
- IELTS (Academic): minimum overall band of 6.5 (with no individual band below 6.0)
- TOEFL (Internet Based Test - IBT): minimum overall score of 79 (with minimum of 13 in Reading, 12 in Listening, 18 in Speaking and 21 in Writing)
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE (A)): minimum score of 58 (with no communication band less than 50)
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): minimum of 176 with no less than 169 in any component.
For detailed information on English language requirements and other proficiency tests recognised by RMIT, visit English language requirements and equivalency information.
Don't meet the English language test scores? Complete an English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Advanced Plus Certificate at RMIT English Worldwide.
Pathways
If you have successfully completed one of the following qualifications in fine art, you will be eligible for advanced standing as follows:
| Qualification level | Advanced standing | Remaining program duration |
| Bachelor degree | 48 credit points (equivalent to one semester full time study) | 144 credit points (equivalent to three semesters full time study) |
| Bachelor honours degree | 96 credit points (equivalent to two semesters full time study) | 96 credit points (equivalent to two semesters full time study) |
| Graduate certificate | 48 credit points (equivalent to one semester full time study) | 144 credit points (equivalent to three semesters full time study) |
| Graduate diploma | 96 credit points (equivalent to two semesters full time study) | 96 credit points (equivalent to two semesters full time study) |
Credit
Applicants with a bachelor honours degree, graduate certificate, graduate diploma, or master's degree qualification majoring in a different discipline may also be eligible for credit transfer of up to 48 credit points (equivalent to one semester full-time study).
Fees
2022 indicative fees
Full-fee places: AU$25,920.
Additional expenses
- Student services and amenities fee (SSAF): AU$315 maximum fee for 2022.
- Other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment.
Annual fee adjustment
Amounts quoted are indicative fees per annum, and are based on a standard year of full-time study (96 credit points). A proportionate fee applies for more or less than the full-time study load.
Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide.
Defer your payment
This program is offered on a full-fee paying basis only. If you are offered a place, you will need to pay the full tuition costs of your program. However, eligible students (such as Australian citizens or holders of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) may apply to defer payment of some or all of their tuition fees via the Commonwealth Government’s FEE-HELP loan scheme.
Learn more about fees for postgraduate study.
Payments and refunds
For information on how to pay your fees or how to apply for a refund, please see Paying your fees and applying for refunds.
Eligible students (such as Australian citizens or holders of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) may apply to defer payment of some or all of their tuition fees via the Commonwealth Government’s FEE-HELP loan scheme.
How does a HELP loan work?
If your FEE-HELP and/or SA-HELP loan application is successful, the Australian Government will pay RMIT, on your behalf, up to 100% of your fees. This amount will become part of your accumulated HELP debt.
You only start repaying your accumulated HELP debt to the Australian Government once you earn above the minimum income threshold for repayment, which is set each year by the Australian Government (this also applies if you are still studying). The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will calculate your compulsory repayment for the year and include this on your income tax notice.
For more information about loan repayment options see Commonwealth assistance (HELP loans) or Study Assist.
In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF), which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student.
The SSAF is calculated based on your enrolment load and the maximum fee for 2022 is $315.
For more information about calculating your actual SSAF see Paying SSAF.
You may also be required to purchase other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment. These additional fees and expenses vary from program to program.
The annual tuition fee for 2022 is AU$34,560.
The total indicative tuition fee for 2022 commencement is AU$71,040.
In addition to tuition fees you also need to pay for:
- Student services and amenities fee (SSAF) in each calendar year.
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) - Student visa holders must have cover for the total duration of their visa.
- Some programs incur additional expenses.
You also need to account for your living expenses. Estimate the cost of living in Melbourne.
Applying for refunds
For information on how to apply for a refund as a continuing international student, please see Refunds.