MA Art and Design: Interdisciplinary Practices draft

Program Overview

The MA Art and Design: Interdisciplinary Practices program develops your professional practice, encourages you to work across mediums and methods, and explore the hybrid nature of art and design in contemporary culture. With expert staff, external project opportunities, and an international community, this program prepares you for diverse creative careers, PhD research, or other roles in the arts industry.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Our MA Art and Design: Interdisciplinary Practices develops your professional practice while engaging with the hybrid nature of art and design in contemporary culture. You will apply art and design methodologies to challenge conventional viewpoints. A multidisciplinary team of expert staff encourages you to work across mediums, processes and working methods (such as photography, installation, print, digital media, sculpture, illustration, curatorial practice, textiles, drawing, sound, graphic design, site-specific art, participatory arts or 3D design). This stimulating course offers you an education in contemporary art and design from an interdisciplinary perspective. You will be supported as creative individuals from a range of tutors and practitioners, with the aim of pushing your existing practice in new directions. The course helps you develop a wider contextual understanding of your practice, while gaining strong research skills in order to develop interdisciplinary projects underpinned by contextual and theoretical debates. You will be encouraged to develop independent study in relation to different cultural perspectives and a range of contemporary art and design practices, such as fine art, curation, visual communication, fashion, product and interior design. Our course prepares you for life as a creative professional, a PhD researcher or work in other career areas.

Outline:

Modules:

Core Modules:

• Practices and Processes in Art and Design (40 credits): This module is self-directed by you and allows you to develop your individual art and design practice through an interrogation of processes and the relationship of theoretical and/or contextual research to your practice.
You will engage with rigorous testing, experimental making and the exploration of ideas and their application to professional contexts through practical outcomes. This module will create a developmental platform for your practice supported by the opportunity to acquire new practical skills in alternative media and/or related disciplines where relevant.
• Advanced Practice 2 (40 credits): This module enables you to reflect upon, question and review your individual and/or collaborative arts based practice in relationship to contemporary debates within your chosen field of study.
• Research in Practice (20 credits): This module enables you to articulate in verbal and written (or negotiated equivalent) forms the breadth and depth of your knowledge and understanding of relevant theories and contexts in relationship to your arts based practice, placement, internship or other negotiated professional engagement.
• Major Project (60 credits): The purpose of the module is to enable you to undertake a sustained, in-depth and theoretically informed research project exploring an area that is of personal interest to you.
It is important that we can support you appropriately, so you will be guided towards choosing a research topic which is relevant to your discipline and in which your lecturers have expertise. The outcome may take the form of a written dissertation or a practical outcome with accompanying reflective, critical and contextual material. The main consideration when choosing your topic is that it must be relevant to your programme and you should consider the relevance of this topic to your future academic or professional development.

Optional Modules:

• Contemporary Philosophy and Aesthetics (20 credits): This module, Contemporary Philosophy & Aesthetics explores how Fine Art is made and understood conceptually.
How thinking in Fine Art works. This may inform research into practice via the meeting of philosophy, visual culture and social contexts within Fine Art practices. We may look at exhibitions artists and cultural discourses. For example: texts, films, music, fashion and events. It sets the stage for developing your own critical knowledge of the complexities underlying modern and contemporary life and in so doing, building your concepts and language, in your own practices.
• Models and Methods of Curatorial Practice (20 credits): The purpose of this module is to introduce you to contemporary curatorial thinking.
Throughout the module, you will encounter a range of concepts, themes, approaches and methodologies relevant to your discipline including the role of the curator and exhibition making; the museum and gallery as context and framework; the role of the artist-curator-artist, curating for new media and technologies and curating global exhibitions. You will be supported to develop skills in confidently articulating your knowledge in verbal and written forms.
• Queer Strategies in Practice (20 credits): This module attends to both historical and contemporary models of practice in relationship to the emergence of queer theory.
We will explore a range of art practices and queer methods that critique or subvert dominant modes of representation and operation. Focus is given to the following areas: Introduction to queer theory, Art beyond representation, Queer Speech, Queer horror, Education and transgression, Queering the Archive; Care; Queer reading.
• Small Arts Business Set Up (20 credits): This module provides you with an insight into entrepreneurship and small business start-up within the arts and related sectors.
Its focus is an exploration of the practicalities of starting-up a creative business. It also covers the nature of the creative industries as a whole as well as the significance of entrepreneurship within the arts and society as a whole.
• Photography as Research (20 credits): The acts of photographing and researching are intrinsically linked.
They are both activities concerned with expansion and contraction. If we imagine a photograph as a means to isolate a sphere of reality (with all of the caveats this statement demands) that are rendered, most often, in fractions of seconds. Then we could think in a similar way about research. An effort to know more and more about less and less. You will be introduced to artist-made books, self-publishing, digital publishing and other non-gallery modes of sharing and communicating art.
• Technical Methods, Workshop Practice and Learning (20 credits): The module will be based on a specific workshop process (e.g.
for example in the print room this might be etching, screen-print or lithography etc. ), technical method (e.g. for example this might be around casting techniques, film and video making, 3D modelling etc.) or material (e.g. You will independently identify and investigate your chosen line of enquiry to enable you to engage in practical hands on experience of a fabrication/production process. You will be introduced to key examples and debates within Social Practice with focus given to the following areas: Activism, Antagonism, Participation, Collaboration, Community, Environmentalism, Relational Aesthetics, Socially Engaged Practice, Dialogical Art & Institutional Critique.
• Art and Transcultural Communication (20 credits): This module provides a grounding in arts and transcultural communication, using artistic practices and discursive frameworks to highlight and examine issues related to communication.
Communication, but also translation and interpretation intended from a linguistic, visual, cultural, artistic and curatorial perspective, are crucial when working internationally (and locally) with different communities. This module is for those students who aim at working and researching in a transcultural global environment more critically and effectively.
• Art and Ecologies (20 credits):
• Collaborative Practice (20 credits): The module is an opportunity to learn and critically reflect on the skills of collaboration by enabling you to create a research-informed interdisciplinary project with students from complementary disciplines, or with academic staff.

Course Schedule:

• Full-time: 12 months or 18 months (including Professional Placement)

Teaching:

• Teaching Methods:
• Independent learning
• One to one tutorial support
• Group tutorials
• Taught staff led seminar
• Student led seminars
• Studio seminar series (visiting artists/professionals’ talks)
• Lectures and conferences
• Library research/resources
• Field trips (where appropriate)
• Faculty:
• Demitrios Kargotis (Course Leader)
• Steve Bulcock (Head of Undergraduate Studies)
• Unique Approaches:
• Dynamic, collaborative and exploratory teaching
• Group tutorials and student-led seminars
• Public exhibitions and events
• Interim Show and Final Masters Exhibition
• Opportunities to test and gain feedback from peers, staff, and the public

Careers:

• Potential Career Paths:
• Graphic design
• Independent contemporary art practice
• Typography
• Gallery education
• Arts administration
• Event management
• Photography
• Community arts and education
• PhD researcher
• Other career areas
• Opportunities:
• External live projects
• Placements with organizations in the city and beyond
• Networking opportunities in the creative industries
• Outcomes:
• Highly successful arts professionals
• Employment in a range of related professions across the creative industries
• Appointments in Higher Education Institutions nationally and internationally

Other:

• International Community: The Art Based Master’s Programme is an international community of aspiring researchers and professionals and the programme attracts candidates from all over the world.
This diversity provides you with an opportunity to study with people from diverse social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and who bring a wealth of experience to the programme. This gives the ABM programme a dynamic energy that enriches everyone’s educational experience.
• Trips and Visits: As a Master’s student, you’ll benefit from the trips run annually by Birmingham School of Art.
Recent visits have included: Berlin, Florence, Liverpool, London, New York and Venice. However, you’ll be encouraged to operate independently and visit regional and national cultural centres such as Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Ikon, Eastside Projects, the New Art Gallery Walsall, Nottingham Contemporary, Tate Modern, ICA, Tate Liverpool and independent and alternative spaces in Birmingham and beyond. We maintain excellent connections with major institutions such as Ikon Gallery, Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Selfridges, Birmingham City Council, the Lunar Society, the Longbridge Light Festival, Birmingham Hippodrome to name a few. We are also members of the Colmore Row Business District.
• Sponsorships: The School works with Savills, Capsticks, Associated Architects and Deutsche Bank who sponsors of an annual award (£10,000) to support artists’ career development.
Numerous graduates have achieved excellent profiles as professional artists in the sector.

UK Student International Student UK students Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students. Award: MA Starting: Sep 2024 Mode Duration Fees Full Time 12 months £8,925 in 2024/25 Apply Online Full Time 18 months (including Professional Placement - see below ) £9,820 in 2024/25 Apply Online Part Time 24 months Show fees Apply Online £992 per 20 credits Year 1 - 100 credits Year 2 - 80 credits Fees for Part-time students This course can be studied on a Part-time study basis. The cost per year of study is based on credit requirements for that year. Award: MA Starting: Jan 2025 Mode Duration Fees Full Time 12 months £8,925 in 2024/25 Apply Online Full Time 18 months (including Professional Placement - see below ) £9,820 in 2024/25 Apply Online International students Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students. Award: MA Starting: Sep 2024 Mode Duration Fees Full Time 12 months £17,710 in 2024/25 Apply Online Full Time 18 months (including Professional Placement - see below ) £19,485 in 2024/25 Apply Online Award: MA Starting: Jan 2025 Mode Duration Fees Full Time 12 months £17,710 in 2024/25 Apply Online Full Time 18 months (including Professional Placement - see below ) £19,485 in 2024/25 Apply Online Included in your course fees Access to computer equipment You will require use of a laptop, and most students do prefer to have their own. Printing You will receive £5 print credit in each year of your course, available after enrolment. Field trips All essential field trips and associated travel costs will be included in your course fees. Key software Key subscriptions Not included in your course fees Clothing and safety equipment (mandatory) This course requires the purchase of safety equipment in order to use the workshop facilities. Excess printing (optional) Once you have spent your £5 credit, additional printing on campus costs from 5p per sheet. Field trips (optional) Accommodation and living costs

• Professional Placement option
The Professional Placement version of the course is optional and is offered as an alternative to the standard version of the course. This will allow you to complete a credit bearing, 20 week Professional Placement as an integral part of your Master’s Degree. The purpose of the Professional Placement is to improve your employability skills which will, through the placement experience, allow you to evidence your professional skills, attitudes and behaviours at the point of entry to the postgraduate job market. Furthermore, by completing the Professional Placement, you will be able to develop and enhance your understanding of the professional work environment, relevant to your chosen field of study, and reflect critically on your own professional skills development within the workplace. You will be responsible for finding and securing your own placement. You will also benefit from support sessions delivered by Careers+ as well as advice and guidance from your School. All students who do not find a suitable placement or do not pass the competitive selection process will be automatically transferred back to the standard, non-placement version of the course. Portfolio guidance We ask that this is submitted within four weeks of receiving your offer. Portfolio guidance We ask that this is submitted within four weeks of receiving your offer. Personal statement You’ll need to submit a personal statement as part of your application for this course. Not sure what to include? Postgraduate funding Graduate Scholarship Master’s loans Government-backed loans of up to £12,167 are available to UK, Irish and eligible EU nationals studying postgraduate Master’s courses in any subject area.Find out more about Master’s loans. Other funding opportunities Other funding options include scholarships, loans and bursaries offered by external organisations. These vary from year to year. Postgraduate funding View fees for continuing students