The School

Established in 1982, Adelaide Central School of Art is an independent, not-for-profit, Higher Education organisation specialising in the training and education of practising visual artists. This focus is reflected in the three-part structure of School, Gallery and Studios, its curricula and pedagogy and especially in its policy of employing only practising artists as teachers.

Currently the School offers both award and non-award programs.

The undergraduate award program offers an Associate Degree of Visual Art, a Bachelor of Visual Art and a Bachelor of Visual Art (Honours) award while the postgraduate program offers a Graduate Diploma of Visual Art and a Master of Visual Art.  The School also offers a double degree program with the Flinders University of South Australia, allowing students to combine a Bachelor of Arts with a Bachelor of Visual Arts.

The School's non-award program includes weekend recreational courses, workshops and masterclasses for professionals such as the New York Studio School Drawing and Painting Marathons which attracts artists from all over Australia.

The School's approach to visual arts education is based on the assumption that there is an accessible, cumulative body of knowledge associated with the making of visual art. There is a strong belief that the creation of meaning in art is inseparable from its making and for that reason students must acquire a sound level of technical and conceptual competence and teachers of art should be artists practicing in the areas in which they teach.

Drawing is taken to be the most basic skill in visual art. It is believed that it should be recognised as a media in its own right as well as the basis for other media, and that it should be dealt with broadly and in depth, both technically and conceptually.

Finally, it is considered that in a changing, pluralistic world, students must be exposed to a very wide range of art and ideas from which to develop their own.

To support its philosophy the School has adopted a traditional "studio-based" model of visual arts education and training which is taken to mean small groups with the opportunity for one-to-one interaction, an emphasis on studio practice and the importance of the role of artists as teachers.

Pedagogical skills and the School's values are passed to new staff by induction procedures and mentoring by more senior and experienced staff. There is also a commitment to ensure ongoing staff development of each lecturer's teaching and professional art practice.

Adelaide Central Gallery

Adelaide Central Gallery is an integral part of the School's concept. Although it has both an educational and organisational marketing role, it operates on a fully commercial basis. Its programme of exhibitions extends two years in advance and includes work in all media by local, national and occasionally international artists. Exhibitions change every four weeks, enabling students to view a wide range of professional art.

There are both formal and informal opportunities for students to be involved in all aspects of gallery operations including curatorship, display and marketing. There is also the opportunity to see their own work in a professional context and meet on a person-to-person basis the exhibiting professional artists. Most exhibiting artists agree to give an informal lecture to students about their works on show, which is both informative and inspiring. The exhibition program is available by clicking the link to the 'Gallery' on this site.

Central Studios

Central Studios has been affiliated with the School for 25 years. It is an incorporated group of some 20 professional visual artists who work in a wide range of media and styles. Arrangements can be readily made for students to interact with Central Studios artists and observe firsthand the execution of professional work, and to see what it means to have a career as a practicing artist. Examples of their work and curriculum vitae are available by clicking the link to the 'Studios' on this site.

 

 

Adelaide Central School of Art
45 Osmond Terrace
Norwood, South Australia 5067 Australia
Telephone +61 8 83645075
Facsimile +61 8 8364 4865
Email: acsa@acsa.sa.edu.au
www.acsa.sa.edu.au
CRICOS 01126M