Advanced Diploma in Fine Art

Thie Advanced Diploma in Fine Art equips learners with the specialised knowledge and skills for professional practice as visual artists, or for employment in the field of visual arts and the academic grounding for further studies in visual arts. The qualification leading to this qualification is based on specialised learning and development. This qualification will enable learners to apply their skills, knowledge and attitudes in the area of specialisation in Fine Arts. The qualification will develop learners' practical and theoretical skills in articulating concepts in visual, verbal, tactile and written form in their chosen area of specialisation. An awareness amongst learners of the need to be sensitive and reflective of issues relating to diversity, inclusivity, cultural values, human rights, gender, development and change will also be nurtured in this qualification. Lifelong learning and its importance are developed in this qualification, and this will assist learners to function better in and contribute to the world of work, function better as a citizen in South Africa and contribute to cultural, social cohesion, environmental and economic development. Learners' capacity to make informed judgments about critical ethical issues in the visual arts will be developed, coupled with study skills, enabling them to access further study paths and higher learning.

This qualification's overarching purpose directly informs the qualification's exit level outcomes, delineating the specific skills, knowledge, and attitudes that graduates should demonstrate upon successful completion. These outcomes, supported by targeted graduate attributes, ensure that learners develop into competent, reflective, and ethically responsible artists capable of engaging with contemporary practice and contributing to societal development:

Exit level outcomes

• Conduct a professional exhibition of artwork.
• Appropriately contextualise own art making within contemporary perspectives.
• Critically assess and interpret artworks and the art-making process.
• Communicate effectively as professional artists.
• Apply various research methodology models most relevant to Fine Art practice.

Several graduate attributes are cultivated throughout the above outcomes, which prepare learners to operate effectively within the visual arts sector and contribute meaningfully to society, fulfilling the broader purpose of the qualification.

The attributes include

• Professional Artistic: Competence: Demonstrates high-level technical skills and expertise in studio, exhibition, and contemporary art practices.
• Critical and Reflective Thinking: Applies critical analysis and reflection to artworks and the art-making process, fostering ethical and socially responsible practice.
• Cultural and Social Awareness: Understands and contextualises art within contemporary societal issues, promoting social cohesion and cultural development.

< Effective Communication Skills: Articulates ideas, concepts, and artworks clearly and confidently through visual, verbal, and written forms to diverse audiences.

• Lifelong Learning and Professional Development: Demonstrates the ability to continue learning, adapt to evolving artistic practices, and apply research methodologies aligning with outcomes related to applying research skills, contextualising work, assessing artworks, and advancing their professional practice.

The qualification contributes to the national pool of trained practitioners in visual arts practice and interpretation, who, upon completion, will be able to work as professional visual artists, entrepreneurs, or formally employed visual artists in the visual art and related sectors. Graduates will also be equipped to further their studies at Postgraduate levels and drive knowledge creation and artwork development in the visual arts.

Rationale

Fine Art is identified as a critical priority in South Africa and plays a vital role in equipping learners with the necessary knowledge, skills, cultural values, and social cohesion to be functional in society and as individuals. It contributes to the workforce, community development, and overall social well-being.

This qualification responds to this critical priority and provides learners with advanced learning through acquiring the knowledge and skills needed for social and economic development. It enables learners to develop the necessary competencies to access further higher education and training, pursue career development, and gain employment opportunities.

This qualification was developed and structured with input from industry, internal and external stakeholders, with direct collaboration from the qualification advisory board and aligned with industry norms and best practice.

The qualification targets learners who hold a Diploma in Fine Art or an equivalent qualification at NQF level 6 and want to pursue further studies in Fine Art or further develop their practical skills and competencies as visual artists, as they operate in the visual arts and related arts sectors.

This qualification and the related pathways provide the learners with the necessary academic rigour and opportunities to explore learning pathways that further their academic grounding and technical competencies in the form of a Postgraduate Diploma and/or Level 8 Honours Degrees in Fine Art en route to Master's and Doctorates. Horizontal articulation pathways also exist in the Bachelor of Arts streams.

This qualification benefits the learner, Society and the Economy in the following ways

• Cultural Enrichment: Graduates contribute to the cultural vibrancy of society by creating meaningful, diverse, and innovative artworks that reflect societal values, histories, and contemporary issues.
• Economic Contribution: Visual artists stimulate local economies through the creation, exhibition, and sale of artworks, supporting related industries such as tourism, hospitality, and cultural tourism.
• Creative Industries Growth: The qualification supports the development of a skilled workforce capable of innovating within the creative industries, which are increasingly recognised as vital drivers of economic growth and diversification.
• Community Development & Social Cohesion: Art plays a crucial role in community development initiatives, promoting social inclusion, dialogue, and understanding across diverse groups.
• Employment Opportunities: Graduates can establish careers as independent artists, educators, curators, gallery managers, or arts administrators, thus contributing to a dynamic and sustainable arts sector.
• Enhancing National Identity: Through artistic expression, graduates help promote South Africa's rich cultural heritage and contemporary identity on national and international platforms.
• Fostering Innovation and Creativity: The qualification encourages innovative thinking, problem-solving, and entrepreneurial skills, which are transferable to various sectors of the economy beyond the arts.

The institution's RPL Policy is aligned with the national policies and criteria set by the Council on Higher Education (CHE) and SAQA. The institution recognises that potential learners may have previous training or experience. RPL is undertaken within the context of the institution's commitment to broaden access to higher education.

RPL can be considered for access or advanced standing within this qualification. RPL may therefore be used to ascertain competence for admission or access to this qualification and for module exemptions for advanced placement.

This mechanism accelerates redress of historical educational and employment discrimination while maintaining academic rigour. Evidence of prior learning for admission status is assessed through formal RPL processes by approved institutional policy, which is aligned with national guidelines on the Recognition of Prior Learning. Learners submitting themselves for RPL will be thoroughly briefed before the assessment and must submit a Portfolio of Evidence (PoE) in the prescribed format.

Entry Requirements

• Diploma in Fine Art, NQF level 6.

Or

• Diploma in Fine and Applied Arts, NQF level 6.

Or

• Equivalent qualification, NQF level 6.

This qualification consists of compulsory and elective modules at NQF level 7, totalling 120 credits.

Compulsory Modules, NQF Level 7, 60 Credits

• Art Theory IV, 36 Credits.
• Research Methodology IV, 24 Credits.

Elective Modules, NQF Level 7, 60 Credits (Select one modules)

• Ceramics: Fine Art IV, 60 Credits.
• Drawing: Fine Art IVI, 60 Credits.
• Printmaking IV, 60 Credits.
• Painting: Fine Art IV, 60 Credits.
• Sculpture IV, 60 Credits.

1. Conduct a professional exhibition of artwork.
2. Appropriately contextualise own art making within contemporary perspectives.
3. Critically assess and interpret artworks and the art-making process.
4. Communicate effectively as professional artists.
5. Apply various research methodology models most relevant to Fine Art practice.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Produce artworks in disciplines of either Painting, Printmaking, Ceramics: Fine Art, or Drawing, which show coherence in form and content and are relevant and functional within the contemporary art-making perspective.
• Use technical skills in art practice in a professional way.
• Apply conceptual skills in art practice in a professional way.
• Apply problem-solving skills and creative thinking professionally.
• Work independently of others with self-confidence and responsibility.
• Are self-responsible and skilled in time management.
• Produce a final exhibition of artworks created in the relevant discipline.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Create their own relevant forms of expression of original thoughts/ideas.
• Produce creative work in selected media.
• Use relevant methodologies inherent to generating ideas, concepts and art-making processes.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Analyse and interpret the conceptual underpinning of artworks.
• Analyse and interpret the use of materials in artworks.
• Analyse and interpret the methodologies and strategies inherent to making art.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Communicate ideas, concepts and artworks in professional visual form.
• Use verbal language effectively to convey ideas and insights intelligibly and achieve one's own purposes.
• Present and explain artwork and ideas clearly to diverse audiences, including peers, clients, and the public, using appropriate visual and verbal communication skills.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Show capacity to implement Research Methodology theory and practices.
• Compile and present research findings and own conclusions into a Research Proposal in a correctly set out academic essay.
• Disseminate research findings and own conclusions in a professionally presented exhibition.

Integrated Assessment

This qualification will integrate all ELOs and AACs into formative and summative assessments through the continuous assessment modality. This ensures that the ELOs are assessed in an integrated manner across the various learning and assessment opportunities. The institutional assessment policy mandates a minimum of four assessments per year for year courses and two assessments for semester modules.

Formative assessment 50%: these take the form of regular assignments, presentations, and review of studio works as a form of learning, to support learning and as an assessment of learning.

Summative Assessment 50%: This is achieved through the various continuously assessed assignments, artworks, the research project, the design project and the exhibition.

The above approach ensures that the ELOs are sufficiently assessed through the various learning and assessment opportunities.