Contemporary Australian Indigenous art

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Combine your passion for Country and culture

A degree in Contemporary Australian Indigenous Art invests Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders with the skills and techniques to become professional artists and take on today's art world in all its various forms. In this unique degree, you'll learn from Indigenous lecturers and focus on traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, media, style, principles and philosophies. Through your studies in Contemporary Australian Indigenous Art, you'll explore the diversity of modern-day Indigenous art practice, and gain deep insights into contemporary culture and political art.

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Study contemporary Australian Indigenous art at Griffith

This degree is planned in accordance with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander principles and philosophies. Teaching respects Aboriginal protocols concerning the ways in which techniques and images may be used.

Your study will be based on research into your own family history and traditions. You’ll undertake field trips to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and study contemporary culture and politics. Bianca Beetson leads a dedicated team of CAIA staff. Her work has been exhibited across the country and strongly reflects her identity as an Indigenous Australian.

Choose your own path

In your first year, you’ll gain a solid foundation in art practice, visual culture, contemporary Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art and the culture and issues it represents. In your second and third years you’ll continue the integrated, family-oriented approach to the study of Australian Indigenous art along with complementary studio electives including painting, sculpture, photography, installation and electronic media.

You’ll also complete a major of your choice in:

Expanded Practice
Photographic Art Practice
Studio Art (painting, drawing, print, sculpture, jewellery and small objects)

Exhibitions and artist talks

You’ll have access to an exciting calendar of on-campus exhibitions, guest lectures, masterclasses and artist talks. You’ll also have unique opportunities to exhibit, screen and sell your work through our Galleries programs.

5-Star Rated

Creative Arts at Griffith is rated 5-stars for Educational Experience and Teaching Quality by the Good Universities Guide 2018, a leading independent provider of high-quality education and career information.

Queensland College of Art graduate exhibitions

Join us for a series of innovative and inspiring student-curated exhibitions featuring the next generation of creative thinkers, as they demonstrate the power and possibility of contemporary art and design

30 October – South Bank

1 November – Gold Coast

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Kim Ah Sam: Graduate success for emerging artist

Queensland College of Art graduate Kim Ah Sam was one of 18 emerging artists from across Australia chosen to exhibit at the 2019 Hatched National Graduate Show. The prestigious exhibition at the Perth Institute of Contemporary Art has been running since 1992 and showcases the country’s best up-and-coming artists.

_{Image: Kim Ah Sam, Weaving my story through country, 2018, Weaving 79 cm x 55 cm x 61cm}

Study options

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Degrees	Campus	OP
Bachelor of Contemporary Australian Indigenous Art	South Bank
Bachelor of Contemporary Australian Indigenous Art (Honours)	South Bank
Doctor of Visual Arts	South Bank
Master of Arts in Visual Arts	South Bank
Master of Visual Arts	South Bank

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Career outcomes

With a Griffith CAIA degree, you'll enter the professional contemporary art environment with a folio of work demonstrating your competence in Indigenous and non-Indigenous knowledge, technical skills, media and contemporary technologies.

You'll be fully prepared to work as an art practitioner, gallerist or curator. You may choose to continue your studies through honours or a postgraduate degree to pursue a career in art education.

Griffith CAIA graduates continue to win international accolades for their creativity, motivation and professional approach to their career development.

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28 Oct 2019

Griffith University to host global design research conference in 2020

15 Oct 2019

Griffith film alumni nominated for International Emmy Awards

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