Certificate IV in Visual Arts
Student type:
Quick facts
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Entry score
Not applicable
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Duration
Full-time 6 months -
Location
Melbourne City -
Fees
Next intake
July Entry score
IELTS 5.5
Duration
Full-time 6 months Location
Melbourne City
Overview
In this practical, studio-based program, you will gain broad knowledge across a range of art methods from teachers who are practising artists with national and international reputations.
You'll explore diverse approaches to art making, art theory, art self-development and portfolio creation.
With a strong focus on exhibition practice and hands-on experience in the arts, you will develop key connections with industry, artists and local galleries.
The program is offered mid year. It is run over 20 weeks from July to December.
Once you have completed this Certificate IV, you can apply for entry into the Diploma of Visual Arts.
Details
You will learn in studios specifically designed for each of the specialisation areas. You will be taught by professional practising artists and educators with a wide range of industry knowledge and experience.
Assessment is folio based, where the major emphasis of the program is the production of a folio of work that reflects your personal creativity. The folio will display a sequential development, with emphasis on the acquisition of skills and the adaptation of those skills to the production of artworks with a sound personal philosophical base.
Facilities/equipment include studios for printmaking, painting, sculpture and drawing and a MAC lab.
The program also offers strong links to the arts industry, gallery tours and exhibitions, guest speakers and visiting arts practitioners.
Many of the teaching staff within the program are practising arts professionals with extensive industry experience and networks, which will enrich your learning experience. Teachers are strongly encouraged to maintain their links with industry.
We are committed to providing you with an education that strongly links formal learning with professional or vocational practice. Because of RMIT's close links with industry, you will have opportunities to work projects such as public art, exhibitions and community-based projects.
This program also invites industry experts as guest speakers to ensure you are exposed to current developments in the arts. The regular use of sessional teaching staff also provides you with access to industry practitioners. You are encouraged to visit galleries and museums within the program and on your own initiative.
You'll also participate in an end-of-year exhibition.
The focus of this program is to develop and support you in all facets of the visual arts, offering you a life-long learning methodology. The program also serves as the first step into RMIT's School of Art.
This program is ideal for those wishing to gain foundation level skills in visual arts, including:
- secondary school leavers
- Year 12 students
- those who'd like to develop a portfolio to enter into higher education/vocational education
- those who've missed a place in higher education/vocational education.
You will create a folio as well as gain a solid introduction to the arts industry, and you'll develop skills in:
- drawing
- digital imaging
- sculpture
- printmaking
- painting
- art theory
- public art.
You will be able to use your portfolio of artwork to apply for further study or to seek work in the visual arts industry.
Assessment is through individual portfolios, oral and written tasks. You'll need to demonstrate competency in 15 units to complete this program. The competency units are in clusters and individual units.
Career
Careers in the art industry are broad and encompass a variety of skills. Through this program you will be equipped for a range of jobs in an industry that is growing due to increased government funding for projects.
The goal of artists is to exhibit and sell their work. Artists can be employed in a number of areas including self-employment, project-based work, in schools, councils and government organisations, public project and commission-based work and as artists in residence. Artists may work in private studios or collective artist-run spaces.
Students who complete the Certificate IV in Visual Arts may also continue with their studies in higher education.
You will graduate with the knowledge and confidence to make appropriate decisions regarding your future in arts roles such as:
- self-employed art practitioner
- paid employee in the visual art and crafts industry
- high-level support staff in art-related industries
- artist
- gallery or museum assistant/officer.
You will also gain the confidence and experience to pursue further study in arts-related fields at a higher level.
Admissions
You must have successfully completed an Australian Year 12 or an equivalent senior secondary school qualification with a minimum average of 50%.
You may also be considered if you have work experience in this field.
For information on international qualifications and corresponding entry requirements that are equivalent to an Australian Year 12, see the Entry requirements by country web page.
Equivalent qualifications may also include completion of the RMIT Foundation Studies program or a recognised post-secondary diploma in the relevant discipline with the required grades.
Applicants with work experience in this field will also be considered.
Entry requirements
- You must complete and submit the Visual Art pre-selection kit as part of your RMIT direct application by 5pm Monday 2 July, 2018*. Once you submit your online application, you will be prompted to complete the selection kit.
*Kits will be assessed in the order they are received until this date unless places are filled prior - Some applicants may be invited to attend a folio presentation.
Pre-selection kit
The pre-selection kit requires:
- a statement outlining what you expect to learn from the visual arts program (maximum 100 words)
- a statement describing a recent exhibition you have seen (maximum 100 words)
- a folio consisting of 6 to 8 images of visual art work you have created. This should contain a variety of works that demonstrate your interests and creative thinking, as well as your conceptual and technical skills.
Submitting a selection of work that displays your creative potential is recommended.
Examples of art works to consider for inclusion in your folio include, but are not limited to drawings, paintings, prints, photographs, public art ideas, models, sculptures, visual diary excerpts, sound and video.
Folio presentation
The folio presentation is an opportunity to discuss your folio and articulate your ideas.
Pre-selection kit: You are required to submit a completed pre-selection kit along with your application.
Folio presentation: You may be required to present your folio to a selection panel. You may be interviewed, 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 5.5 (with no individual band below 5.0)
- TOEFL (Paper Based Test): minimum score of 530 (TWE 3.5)
- TOEFL (Internet Based Test - IBT): minimum overall score of 50 (with minimum of 5 in Reading, 5 in Listening, 14 in Speaking and 15 in Writing)
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE (A)): minimum score of 42 (with no communication band less than 36)
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): minimum of 162 with no less than 154 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 Upper Intermediate Certificate at RMIT English Worldwide.
Pathways
When you successfully complete the Certificate IV in Visual Arts you are guaranteed entry into the Diploma in Visual Art.
Alternatively, you may be eligible for entry to other RMIT vocational study or undergraduate programs.
Fees
The tuition fees you will pay for this program will depend on whether you are offered a Victorian Government subsidised place or a full-fee place.
To find out if you are eligible for a government subsidised place, follow the steps at ‘How to check if you are eligible’*.
The student tuition fees as displayed by the fee finder are indicative only and subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide. Learn more about fees for vocational study.
You may be entitled to apply for a fee concession or exemption if you are in a Victorian Government subsidised place and you meet the eligibility criteria.
If your application for a fee concession is approved, you will be charged 20% of the standard government subsidised tuition fee for your program. You will also be charged a lower rate on your student services and amenities fee (SSAF).
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 2019 is $303.
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.
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.