Links
to Arts Organisations
The PgCert/PgDip/MA Social Applications of the Visual Arts complements
both the Arts Council of England’s
and Birmingham City Council’s
development plans with reference to the arts in society and the strategic
policies of regional
development agencies and arts organisations. It is intended to assist
in the expansion in the production and consumption of the arts in society
and in the improvement of the public’s perceptions of, access to
and participation in the visual arts. In particular, it enables individual
graduates and arts employees to develop their personal careers through
work-based learning, informed and guided by current theory and critical
positions. In bringing these functions together, the course offers a highly
flexible, interactive programme of academic study and practical engagement
that develops a vital understanding of the diversity of current professional
practice in the social applications of the visual arts.
Links to Practice
In many cases, visual arts graduates and practitioners continue to develop
as artists (the artist/curator, the artist/writer). A dominant model in
the cultural industries is now that of a portfolio career where individuals
combine several different modes of work, employed on short-term contracts,
freelancing and working in consultancy, or any combination of these in
multiple job-holding. Accordingly, the course either develops the communication
and organizational skills needed for managing diverse roles and occupations
which require adaptability and initiative, or providing a means by which
workers already in the field can integrate workplace experience with critical
reflection and professional development. As indicated by the range of
specialist modules and links built up with a number of professional bodies,
the course serves a large public constituency through a number of key
social and professional contexts.
Links to Experience
Students are expected to hold a relevant first degree which provides a
suitable basis for arts facilitation/mediation. This could be either a
practice based or purely academic qualification, for example a BA in fine
art, one of the design subjects, arts administration, history of art and
design, media studies, or cultural studies. The suitability of broader
qualifications will be judged on the potential shown in the application
and at interview.
Students without formal entry qualifications will be considered if their previous experience and achievements are relevant and they demonstrate the potential to meet the academic demands of the course.