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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.
Top Ranking
Griffith named top creative arts school in Australia according to the latest Uni Reviews rankings
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.
August 07, 2018
Have camera, will travel
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 admission pathways to university. Find out more
Tuesday 24 July — Friday 24 August
Campus Tours
Join us on a free campus tour of our Gold Coast and Nathan campuses to experience life at Griffith. Take a look at our lecture theatres, teaching rooms and some of the many state-of-the-art facilities and amenities that are on offer. Find out more
Tuesday 4 September
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 admission pathways to study and support for non-school leavers and mature age students. Find out more
Wednesday 5 September
Mature Student Open Evening - Logan 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 admission pathways to study and support for non-school leavers and mature age students. Find out more
Thursday 6 September
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 admission pathways to study and support for non-school leavers and mature age students. 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 admission pathways to university. Find out more
Saturday 15 December — Thursday 20 December
Explore Your Options - Online
Chat online with our expert study advisers after you have received your entry score, to discuss your study options. Find out about admission pathways, entry requirements and program options, plus what you can do if your OP or ATAR score was higher or lower than expected.
*Excluding Sunday 16 December Find out more