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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Top Ranking

Griffith named top creative arts school in Australia according to the 2017 Uni Reviews rankings

Find out more about 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

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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

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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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November 06, 2018

Photography lecturer recognised for work in Cambodia

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Contemporary australian indigenous art