Bachelor of Arts in Contemporary Art

Purpose

The Bachelor of Arts in Contemporary Art qualification aims to enable learners to acquire the necessary theoretical knowledge, technical skills and professional workmanship capabilities, necessary to act as independent and self-motivated practitioners within the contemporary art sector.

The Contemporary Art Department of the CTCA furthermore endeavours to embrace an ethos that will encourage graduates to strive to uphold and protect the integrity and sustainability of the South African arts industries.

Upon qualifying the learner will be able to

• Acquire an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the core theories, methodologies and discourses of contemporary art.
• Develop appropriate research methodologies so as to enable them to conduct self-motivated, independent and original research.
• Display a proficient level of technical mastery over the tools, processes and software platforms used in accordance with best- practice standards of the contemporary art industry.
• Understand and apply ethical and professional judgment necessary to successfully conduct oneself as an independent practitioner in the field of contemporary art.
• Create creative communicative artistic outcomes that are informed by critical thinking, reflexivity and appropriate aesthetic codification.
• Demonstrate the mental faculty necessary for an individual to critically analyse the contextual circumstances of a challenge on a systematic level.

Rationale

During the development of this qualification three important factors were taken into consideration

• The cultural need for the further development of the South African contemporary art sector.
• The international demand for 'African artists' and the contribution of this sector to the Gross domestic product (GDP).
• The international demand for trans-disciplinary practice in the contemporary art industry.

Contemporary art in and from South Africa has achieved a significant profile globally, with a substantial number of artists being exposed on major international platforms for presentation and critical reception. The sector has been invigorated by the emergence of a new generation of young artists, curators and entrepreneurs, who are increasingly connected into continental networks and critical forums.

Studies have emphasised that this sector plays a significant role in addressing the mandate of government in the social and economic realm. In line with the findings presented in the studies, the Cape Town Creative Academy (CTCA) aims to support the growth of the sector by focusing on the following overarching objectives.

Furthermore, it is with this insight that the CTCA wishes to offer world-class tertiary education in the field of contemporary art in order to respond to the global demand for creative innovators and artists from the African continent. The CTCA in its approach has based its qualification on the trans-disciplinary integration of a traditional creative development, technical skills training, rigorous academic education, and entrepreneurial and business management learning, to ensure the delivery of a unique offering that is unmatched by any other institution in the region. This competitive advantage enables the CTCA to maintain a demand for its offering. With a dynamic cross-pollination of technical skills training, critical - thinking development and contemporary discourse the qualification will provide a platform that encourages trans- disciplinary practice. Contemporary art learners, will be trained with a diverse set of skills, including non-traditional skills such as digital design and business management, are equipped with invaluable knowledge providing them with a competitive edge in the international art industry.

With a trans- disciplinary approach to curricular development, this qualification aims primarily to address the needs of the following sub-sectors within the profession:

• Independent practicing contemporary artist.
• Academic Scholar within the field of contemporary art practices and related discourses.
• Educator/facilitator.
• Art critic/journalist.
• Curator/gallerist.
• Art consultant/art buyer.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The institution adheres to the principles of RPL as set forth by the National Policy for the Implementation of Recognition of Prior Learning (March 2013). The institution adapts the following criteria and methods to assess the level of entry for individuals.

The applicant will need to submit a portfolio of evidence containing samples of professional projects relevant to the field for which the applicant applies to obtain RPL.

The RPL panel will evaluate the application in accordance to prescribed guidelines by

• Identifying the level of competency and/or knowledge of the applicant.
• Matching and assessing the competency level to the Exit Level Outcomes of the qualification.
• Accredit the skills, knowledge and experience built up through informal and non-formal learning.

Entry Requirements

For admission to this qualification a learner must have

National Senior Certificate (NSC) granting access to Bachelor's Degree studies.

Or

Senior Certificate with endorsement.

This qualification consists of compulsory Modules at NQF Levels 5, 6 and 7, totalling 360 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, at NQF Level 5, 60 Credits

• Academic Skills 100, 10 Credits.
• Business Studies 120, 10 Credits.
• Contextual Studies 100, 20 Credits.
• Technical Development 100, 20 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, at NQF Level 6, 180 Credits

• Studio Practice 100, 60 Credits.
• Business Studies 220, 10 Credits.
• Collaborative Practice 210, 10 Credits.
• Contextual Studies 200, 20 Credits.
• Studio Practice 200, 60 Credits.
• Technical Development 200, 20 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, at NQF Level 7, 120 Credits

• Business Studies 300, 20 Credits.
• Collaborative Practice 300, 20 Credits.
• Contextual Studies 300, 20 Credits.
• Studio Practice 300, 60 Credits.

1. Acquire an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the core theories, methodologies and discourses of contemporary art.
2. Develop appropriate research methodologies so as to enable them to conduct self-motivated, independent and original research.
3. Display a proficient level of technical mastery over the tools, processes and software platforms used in accordance with best - practice standards of the contemporary art industry.
4. Understand and apply ethical and professional judgement necessary to successfully conduct oneself as an independent practitioner in the field of contemporary art.
5. Create creative communicative artistic outcomes that are informed by critical thinking, reflexivity and appropriate aesthetic codification.
6. Demonstrate the mental faculty necessary for an individual to critically analyse the contextual circumstances of a challenge on a systematic level.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Insight and a comprehensive understanding of all the relevant theoretical knowledge are applied.
• The core concepts, principles and theoretical frameworks of Contemporary Art are comprehended, analysed and applied.
• Theoretical knowledge is critically applied to the practical outcomes.
• Knowledge within the context of a design problem is analysed, applied and critically responded to.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Specialised information is identified, processed, critically reviewed and integrated from a diverse set of information sources, and such information is used as the foundation.
• The ability to think of a creative response to specific design problem is displayed.
• An understanding of the research question at hand is shown.
• Relevant and appropriate scholarly research methodologies are followed.
• All project outcomes are rooted in rigorous and congruent field specific research.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Efficiency in the application of the appropriate tools, techniques and practical methodologies is displayed.
• The appropriate media and methods for the challenge at hand is effectively selected.
• All the project outcomes to the applicable production specifications are adhered to.
• All the project outcomes are presented in completeness, professionally and on time.
• All project outcomes are presented in accordance with the specified requirements.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• The growth and sustainability of the contemporary art sector is contributed to in a responsible and sensible manner.
• A sensitive awareness of the social, economic and environmental impact of their project outcomes is applied.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• The ability to process and execute a project with creative innovation is displayed.
• The ability to execute projects with aesthetic sensitivity and visual competence is displayed.
• Perceptual ability or observation is demonstrated.
• The aesthetic decision-making supporting the communicative function of the project outcomes is shown.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Information is analysed to develop and voice a critically informed opinion.
• The wider context of the challenge at hand is understood.

Integrated Assessment

The institution supports assessment that is appropriate, fair, manageable, integrated, valid, direct, authentic, sufficient, systematic and open. Learning only takes place when the desired exit level outcomes are clear. The assessments must articulate performance targets. The assessment of cognitive dexterity, aesthetic sensitivity and technical ability will have a hierarchical development and lead a learner to build from a knowledge base to strategic application.

The institution relies strongly on formative assessment, as a strategic component of teaching and learning activities. Due to this qualification's extensive focus on practice-based outcomes, it is vital that learners receive ample formative assessment feedback, as an integrated component of teaching and learning. Formative assessment will occur continually throughout, providing learners with ample, real-time feedback on their progression in the attainment of desired outcomes. The process of formative assessment will help the learner in his/her preparation for summative assessment that occurs at the conclusion of all modules. Formative assessment will be conducted in the form of:

• Seminar presentations.
• Project proposals.
• Progress reviews.

Summative Assessments

Summative assessment practices will ensure the fair and accurate assessment of the learner's competence in relation to the qualification's exit level outcomes and associated assessment criteria. The results will provide a comprehensive reflection of the learner's academic standing. Summative assessment will be conducted in the form of:

• Research projects.
• Formal examinations.
• Practical projects.
• Artist statements/rationales.
• A body of work/portfolio.

Project Requirements

The project requirements will be communicated through a detailed project brief in order to ensure the explicitness of project outcomes and how they will be assessed. The project brief will list and describe the relevant associated assessment criteria to be used in order to measure the learner's competence.