Diploma in Fine Art

This qualification is designed to equip learners with the comprehensive knowledge and skills required for successful professional practice as visual artists and for employment opportunities within the field of visual arts. It aims to cultivate practical and theoretical competencies, enabling learners to effectively articulate concepts visually, verbally, tactilely, and in written form. The qualification emphasises applying relevant skills, knowledge, and attitudes within the learners' chosen areas of specialisation. Furthermore, it seeks to foster an awareness of the importance of sensitivity and reflection regarding diversity, inclusivity, cultural values, human rights, gender, development, and change. The qualification also promotes an understanding of the necessity for lifelong learning, empowering learners to function more effectively in the professional sphere and as responsible citizens who contribute to cultural, social, environmental, and economic development in South Africa. Additionally, it develops learners' capacity to make informed judgments on critical ethical matters and enhances their study skills to facilitate access to further learning opportunities. Ultimately, this qualification contributes to the national pool of trained practitioners in the areas of visual arts practice and interpretation.

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

Exit level outcome

• Apply professional skills in exhibition and studio practice.
• Contextualise your art making from contemporary perspectives.
• Communicate effectively as a professional artist using appropriate visual, verbal, and written forms.
• Critically assess and interpret artworks and the art-making process, including ones and others' work.
• Apply technical and conceptual skills to produce resolved artworks in chosen media.
• Engage with ethical, cultural, and social issues in art practice and professional conduct.
• Utilise research skills to inform and develop art practice, drawing on relevant historical and theoretical frameworks.
• Collaborate with peers and stakeholders in creative projects, demonstrating teamwork and interpersonal skills.

Throughout the above outcomes, several graduate attributes are developed, which prepare graduates to operate effectively within the visual arts sector, access further academic development opportunities, and contribute to society, fulfilling the broader purpose of the qualification.

Graduates' attributes

• Enabling graduates to realise and present artworks professionally, reflecting the graduate attributes of technical competence, attention to detail, and organisational skills.
• To ensure graduates can position their creative output within current debates and trends, demonstrating critical awareness, cultural literacy, and adaptability.
• Addresses the purpose through developing articulate, confident, and versatile communicators, attributes essential for professional engagement in the arts sector.
• Contributes by cultivating reflective practitioners capable of constructive critique, analysis, and self-directed learning, promoting intellectual curiosity and critical thinking.
• Achieves this by ensuring graduates master relevant techniques and conceptual understanding, enabling creative problem-solving and the realisation of artistic intent.
• Fostering responsible, ethical practitioner's sensitive to diversity and social contexts, embodying integrity, empathy, and social responsibility.
• Supports through developing informed and research-savvy graduates capable of synthesising knowledge, demonstrating intellectual rigour and lifelong learning.
• Realises by preparing graduates for collaborative and interdisciplinary environments, nurturing teamwork, leadership, and interpersonal effectiveness.

Collectively, these developed exit level outcomes and graduates of the Diploma in Fine Art are prepared graduates who, upon completion, can work as practising 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 Advanced Diploma levels.

Rationale

Fine Art is recognised as a critical priority in South Africa, playing an essential in equipping learners with the knowledge, skills, cultural values, and understanding of social cohesion necessary to become functional and contributing members of society. This qualification provides a strong foundation through the acquisition of key competencies that are vital for both social and economic development.

This qualification responds to this critical priority and provides learners with foundational learning through acquiring knowledge and skills needed to respond to the identified need and for social and economic development.

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 high school leavers and learners interested in the fine arts and want to pursue 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 horizontal and vertical articulation to cognate Diploma's in the general field of arts at NQF level 6 and to and Advanced Diploma in Fine Arts at NQF level 7 which will pave the way for further studies at Postgraduate Level in Fine Arts.

This qualification benefits society by producing graduates who can add value to themselves, society and the economy through contributing to the cultural vibrancy of society through their artworks, economic contribution through the exhibition and sale of artworks, and supporting related industries such as tourism, hospitality, and cultural tourism. Society will further benefit from developing a skilled and capable professional workforce for the visual arts, fostering innovation and creativity. The qualification further 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

• National Senior Certificate (NCS), NQF level 4 with endorsement.
• National Certificate Vocational (NCV), NQF Level 4.

This qualification consists of compulsory and elective modules at NQF Level 5 and 6, totalling 360 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, NQF Level 5, 120 Credits.

• Art Theory I, 18 Credits.
• Communication I, 6 Credits.
• Drawing I, 24 Credits.
• 3-Dimensional Studies I, 36 Credits.
• 2-Dimensional Studies I, 36 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, NQF Level 6, 48 Credits.

• Art Theory III, 18 Credits.
• Communication III, 6 Credits.
• Drawing III, 24 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, NQF Level 6, 48 Credits.

• Art Theory II, 18 Credits.
• Communication II, 6 Credits.
• Drawing II, 24 Credits.

Electives Modules, NQF Level 6, 72 Credits (choose any two combinations)

• Ceramic II, 36 Credits.
• Sculpture II, 36 Credits.
• Painting II, 36 Credits.
• Printmaking II, 36 Credits.

Electives Modules, Level 6, 72 Credits (choose any two combinations)

Ceramic III, 36 Credits.

Sculpture III, 36 Credits.

Painting III, 36 Credits.

Printmaking III, 36 Credits.

1. Apply professional skills in exhibition and studio practice.
2. Contextualise your art making from contemporary perspectives.
3. Communicate effectively as a professional artist.
4. Critically assess and interpret artworks and the art-making process.
5. Apply technical and conceptual skills to produce resolved artworks in chosen media.
6. Engage with ethical, cultural, and social issues in art practice and professional conduct.
7. Utilise research skills to inform and develop art practice, drawing on relevant historical and theoretical frameworks.
8. Collaborate with peers and stakeholders in creative projects, demonstrating teamwork and interpersonal skills.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Produce artworks in the disciplines of 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.
• Demonstrate responsible and skilled time management.
• Produce a final exhibition of artworks created in the relevant discipline.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Create your 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.
• Examine and construe 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 purposes.
• Articulate the intentions, meanings, and contexts of artworks in written and/or oral form.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Artworks demonstrate competent use of materials, techniques, and processes appropriate to the chosen medium.
• Artworks reflect clear conceptual development and problem-solving.
• Final works exhibit evidence of planning, experimentation, and refinement.
• The presentation of artworks meets professional standards for finish and display.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Artworks and statements show awareness and sensitivity to ethical, cultural, and social contexts.
• Relevant ethical considerations are identified and addressed in the art-making process.
• The learner demonstrates responsible and respectful engagement with diverse communities and subject matter.
• Professional behaviour and integrity are evident in collaborative and independent practice.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Research sources are appropriately selected, referenced, and integrated into the creative process.
• Written or verbal statements demonstrate understanding of relevant art history and theory.
• Artworks and supporting documentation reflect informed connections between research and practice.
• Learner can articulate the rationale for artistic decisions regarding theoretical and historical contexts.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8

• Active participation and contribution to group projects are evident.
• Communication and collaboration with peers and external stakeholders are effective and constructive.
• The learner demonstrates respect for diverse perspectives and adapts to group dynamics.
• Project outcomes reflect shared responsibility and achievement of common goals.

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.

The modules that make up this qualification are all subject to the continuous assessment modality. All practical subjects in this qualification have three-year mark assessment sessions during the year and a Final Portfolio display for end-of-year assessment and mark.

Formative assessment 50%: these take the form of projects, regular tests, 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, portfolios and the exhibition.