Art Major

David Umbas
Career Planning Human Development 100
Research Essay

Research Art Major and Training Program Essay
Fine Arts Major

• Master of Art

◦ Description about Master of Art (Mart)

The Master of Art (MArt) is a three semester coursework masters program that provides an intensive postgraduate experience in contemporary fine art practice. The program is structured to further one’s own practice or form an introductoin for those who are new to the field of Fine Arts practice.
When you choose to study fine arts at COFA you are provided with a lively and critically supportive context in which you will be able to undertake exploration and research across genre and media. This is possible under the guidance and mentoring of a committed staff of nationally and internationally recognised artist educators and researchers.
Students can also apply for the Graduate Diploma (two semesters full-time) or Graduate Certificate (one semester full-time).

◦ Program Aims

The Master of Art program provides a foundation or an extension for people who are, or would like to become, practicing artists in the visual arts or related fields. It allows a focused investigation into art practice, which is grounded in critcial and investigative thinking and which also prepares students for further study at research level. Interdisciplinary practice is encouraged and research excellence promoted.

The main discipline areas in which students can major are: ✓ Painting ✓ Drawing ✓ Printmaking ✓ Sculpture, Performance and Installation ✓ Photomedia ✓ Time Based Art

◦ CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Graduates of the Master of Art program generally work as practicing artists and/or find employment in the arts industry. For example: ▪ SCULPTURE
A graduate in the area of Sculpture may be employed in community arts education; in the arts industry as preparators, arts officers, curators, exhibition designers; in film, theatre and television as producers, set designers and prop makers; and in collaboration with architects, private clients and urban planners to produce site specific sculpture for interior and public locations. ▪ TIME BASED ART
A graduate in the area of Time Based Art may work in the film indstry dealing with digital and sound technology. Alternatively, they may find work assisting in the making of films, documentaries, advertisements or videos. Time Based Art graduates are also familiar with CD-ROM and web page design and management techniques and may work in one or both of these areas. ▪ PAINTING
A Painting graduate may exhibit and sell their work through galleries and/or museums. They may also work in galleries as curators or administrative staff or produce work for public of private commission. Skills and insights that are learned in the degree could enable graduates to work in many other related fields.

◦ ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Applicants to the Master of Art should have a completed, recognised Bachelor degree or completion of the Graduate Diploma in Art.
In exceptional cases, applicants who submt evidence of other academic and professional qualifications may be considered for admission to the Graduate Certificate in Art. These applicants must submit a portfolio of their artwork and CV, and undertake an interview. Please note that students who enter the Graduate Certificate in Art can request an upgrade to the Graduate Diploma on completion of the Graduate Certificate program requirements.

Portfolio submission should include approximately twelve images (on a DVD/CD or hardcopy) of recent work, that are examples of technical and creative ideas in the area the applicant wishes to major in.

Typical Duration: 1.5 years fulltime (Masters by Coursework)
Typical Duration: 1 year fulltime (Graduate Diploma)
Typical Duration: 0.5 year fulltime (Graduate Certificate)

◦ Salaries for a Master of Fine Arts in Graphic Design

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average annual salary of a graphic designer was $47,820 as of May 2009. Senior designers earned a median annual salary of $60,000 while designers who were self-employed and worked as independent contractors earned a median of $57,000 as of May 2008 (www.bls.gov).The Master of Fine Arts (MFA) is a terminal degree in graphic design, and qualifies individuals to teach graphic design and art at vocational schools and community colleges. The median salary for technical college instructors, regardless of subject, was $41,967 in 2010 according to Payscale.com.

◦ Owner or Partners in A Firm

Graphic designers with an MFA may take their entrepreneurial skills combined with an understanding of the graphic design profession and open up their own graphic design firms. The BLS reported that as of May 2008, the median yearly wages for these professionals was $95,000, which was significantly higher than any other type of graphic designer's annual wages.