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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.
Start study this July
With more degrees starting in July than ever before, you can start study sooner.
Study contemporary Australian Indigenous art at Griffith
Learn from the best
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.
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 represented. Continue the family-oriented approach to your studies in your second and third years with complementary studio electives, from painting and sculpture to photography, installation and electronic media.
Choose your own path
Your study will be based on research into your own family history and traditions. Our teaching respects Aboriginal protocols concerning the ways in which techniques and images may be used.
You’ll also complete an award major from choices that include:
- Creative advertising photography
- Drawing
- Jewellery and small objects
- Painting
- Photographic art practice
- Photojournalism and documentary practice
- Print media
- Sculpture
Exhibitions and artist talks
You’ll enjoy access to an exciting calendar of on-campus exhibitions, guest lectures, master classes and artist talks. You’ll also have unique opportunities to exhibit, screen and sell your work in our campus galleries.
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.
Dale Harding
Bachelor of Contemporary Australian Indigenous Art graduate
Dale's ability to fuse traditional craft forms with political and cultural themes has won over fans and art critics alike, with his work shown throughout the country at galleries including GOMA and the Museum of Contemporary Art. 'Graduating from the Bachelor of Contemporary Australian Indigenous Art gave me not only the framework, but also the skills, to develop in my studio practice and enhance my ability to write and speak about my work. It provided a platform to bounce off a number of shows nationally every year since I graduated. It has been great!'
Study options
| Degrees | Campus | OP rank |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Visual Arts | South Bank |
It is important to check the degree requirements including placement requirements, before you apply.
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.
Life at Griffith
You can gain more than just a degree at Griffith. With plenty of opportunities to balance life and study, you can make memories and mates to last a lifetime.
May 15, 2018
Renowned art museum acquires work by QCA student
Read more about Renowned art museum acquires work by QCA student
Key dates
Monday 5 February — Friday 21 December
Ongoing Q&A sessions
Book a 30 minute, personalised appointment with a member of our student recruitment team, to help find the right degree for you and get personalised advice about your study options. You can also find out about scholarships and discover pathways to university. Find out more
Monday 21 May — Friday 25 May
Q&A Sessions
Book a 30 minute, personalised appointment with a member of our student recruitment team, to help find the right degree for you and get personalised advice about your study options. You can also find out about scholarships and discover pathways to university. Find out more
Tuesday 22 May — Tuesday 22 May
GriffithBUSINESS Ambassadors Workshop 2 - Gold Coast campus
The GriffithBUSINESS Ambassadors Program offers students their first real look at university life, whilst providing them with a greater understanding of social innovation and social enterprise through working with academic staff from Griffith University. Find out more
Wednesday 23 May — Wednesday 23 May
GriffithBUSINESS Ambassadors Workshop 2 - Logan campus
The GriffithBUSINESS Ambassadors Program offers students their first real look at university life, whilst providing them with a greater understanding of social innovation and social enterprise through working with academic staff from Griffith University. Find out more
Thursday 24 May
Parent and Student Advice Night - Gold Coast campus
Tour the campus and get personal study and subject selection advice with our expert study advisers at this informative on-campus event. Meet current Griffith students and their parents and hear about their experiences of the transition from school to university. Find out more
Thursday 24 May — Thursday 24 May
GriffithBUSINESS Ambassadors Workshop 2 - Nathan campus
The GriffithBUSINESS Ambassadors Program offers students their first real look at university life, whilst providing them with a greater understanding of social innovation and social enterprise through working with academic staff from Griffith University. Find out more
Tuesday 29 May
Future-proof your career - The Griffith STEM Roadshow - Mackay
Learn how you can future-proof your career with study in STEM. Hear from Griffith lecturers, researchers and students about Griffith programs and how you can prepare yourself for the careers of the future. Find out more
Wednesday 30 May
Future-proof your career - The Griffith STEM Roadshow - Rockhampton
Learn how you can future-proof your career with study in STEM. Hear from Griffith lecturers, researchers and students about Griffith programs and how you can prepare yourself for the careers of the future. Find out more
Tuesday 5 June — Tuesday 5 June
GriffithBUSINESS Year 12 Workshop 2 - Nathan campus
The GriffithBUSINESS Year 12 Program provides an opportunity for high-achieving Year 12 business students to experience university first-hand. Students participate in a minimum of two workshops based around the theme of social entrepreneurship and innovation, as well as an online employability module. Find out more
Wednesday 6 June — Wednesday 6 June
GriffithBUSINESS Year 12 Workshop 2 - Logan campus
The GriffithBUSINESS Year 12 Program provides an opportunity for high-achieving Year 12 business students to experience university first-hand. Students participate in a minimum of two workshops based around the theme of social entrepreneurship and innovation, as well as an online employability module. Find out more
Thursday 7 June — Thursday 7 June
Careers in Commerce - Nathan campus
Years 10, 11 and 12 students are invited to attend the annual Griffith Business School Careers in Commerce Experience Day. Students will gain insight into the exciting career choices available to them as commerce graduates, and they will hear from speakers who have used their commerce qualifications to forge successful careers in the diverse areas of accounting, business law, economics, finance and financial planning. Find out more
Friday 8 June — Friday 8 June
GriffithBUSINESS Year 12 Workshop 2 - Gold Coast campus
The GriffithBUSINESS Year 12 Program provides an opportunity for high-achieving Year 12 business students to experience university first-hand. Students participate in a minimum of two workshops based around the theme of social entrepreneurship and innovation, as well as an online employability module. Find out more
Tuesday 19 June
Discover Griffith - Nathan campus
Join us at our Nathan campus for a fun and informative day with family and friends. You'll have the opportunity to tour our campus with a student ambassador, hear from program staff about your preferred degree and chat with our recruitment team about entry requirements and pathways to Griffith. Find out more
Thursday 21 June
Discover Griffith - Gold Coast campus
Join us at our Gold Coast campus for a fun and informative day with family and friends. You'll have the opportunity to tour our campus with a student ambassador, hear from program staff about your preferred degree and chat with our recruitment team about entry requirements and pathways to Griffith. Find out more
Saturday 21 July — Sunday 22 July
TSXPO (Tertiary Studies Expo)
Visit the Griffith University stand at the Tertiary Studies Expo to find out about your study options, how to apply and university life. Find out more
Tuesday 24 July
Sunshine Coast Daily Careers Expo
Visit the Griffith University stand at the Sunshine Coast Daily Careers and Employment Expo to find out about your study options, how to apply and university life. Find out more
Monday 6 August
Townsville Careers Expo
Visit the Griffith University stand at the Townsville Careers Expo to find out about your study options, how to apply and university life. Find out more
Sunday 12 August
OPEN DAY - Nathan, Gold Coast and South Bank campuses
Discover what's possible at Griffith at Open Day. Visit our Gold Coast, Nathan or South Bank campus to attend information sessions and activities, chat with academics about your preferred degree, find out about services and support, and tour our campuses. Find out more
Monday 17 September — Friday 28 September
Q&A Sessions
Book a 30 minute, personalised appointment with a member of our student recruitment team, to help find the right degree for you and get personalised advice about your study options. You can also find out about scholarships and discover pathways to university. Find out more
Tuesday 13 November
Mature Student Open Evening - South Bank campus
If you’re considering returning to university for postgraduate study, or starting for the first time, come along to a Griffith University Mature Student Open Evening to speak to our specialist advisers about pathways to study and support for non-school leavers and mature age students. Find out more
Thursday 15 November
Mature Student Open Evening - Gold Coast campus
If you’re considering returning to university for postgraduate study, or starting for the first time, come along to a Griffith University Mature Student Open Evening to speak to our specialist advisers about pathways to study and support for non-school leavers and mature age students. Find out more