The Master of Fine Arts (Research) is a two year research degree program administered by the University's Research Higher Degrees Unit and supervised by the School of Visual and Performing Arts. In the first instance you should discuss your proposal with staff at the School of Visual and Performing Arts before submitting a formal application. We will assist you in the preparation of your application.
The Program Proposal
Your research proposal should delineate the intended direction of enquiry, be concise and well written, clearly define its methodology, and indicate its form of documentation. Students can undertake enquiry of a visual or written nature, or a combination of both.
The Program Structure
Once your candidature has been approved by the Research Higher Degrees Unit, you will be appointed a supervisor in the School of Visual and Performing Arts who will work with you for the duration of your research. You will also have an associate supervisor and a research supervisor. Your supervisor will arrange critiques and reviews of the project throughout the course of the research.
The School of Visual and Performing Arts promotes a vibrant research culture through a range of activities including: seminars, critiques, guest lectures, conferences, exhibitions and performances for graduate students and other researchers in the School during the year. We offer supervision in the following areas: art theory, arts management, ceramics and glass, curatorship, digital art, drawing, painting, photography, sculpture and textiles.
Our special relationship with the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery also enables approved Masters research projects to be undertaken. These could include the theory of conservation management, public arts management and cultural collection practices. You will be given a studio space, or office space if the project is in art theory, and you will have the opportunity to access the Schools facilities, either in a cross-disciplinary or discipline-specific mode. Twenty-four hour access to studios and most facilities is available.
Before you apply
To be eligible to apply you should hold an Honours degree in visual arts. Special arrangements are possible for those outstanding applicants without the normal Honours qualification. Further details of this entry pathway are available from the Research Higher Degrees Unit.
Assessment
Assessment is by external examination. You arrange with your supervisor the form of presentation that the examination submission will take. This will vary depending on the research project. For example, studio/performance based candidates will present their research outcomes in visual form. This will be supported by a 12,000 word exegesis demonstrating the theoretical premises upon which the research is based, as well as other appropriate documentation (journals and sketchbooks). Art theory candidates will present three bound copies of a thesis which is to be no more than 40,000 words in length.
Application Process and Enrolment Form
To download a copy of the application form please click here.
For further information please contact: Graduate Program Director: Dr Deborah Malor or visit http://www.research.utas.edu.au/
