13 January, 2019

A jobs renaissance in the arts sector has prompted TAFE NSW Wagga Wagga and Albury to offer their first ever dedicated degree course – a Bachelor of Creative Practice.

To commence in semester one 2020, the Bachelor of Creative Practice is aimed at arming creative practitioners with the practical skills – and business nous – to forge a career in the arts.

According to a new report by the BYP Group titled NSW Creative Industries: An Economic Snapshot, NSW boasts 42 per cent of the nation’s creative jobs and produces 70 per cent of Australia’s creative industry exports.

It also found that over the past five years, employment growth in the NSW creative industries were almost double the average growth rate of other professions.

TAFE NSW Head Teacher of Visual Arts Mary-Jane Griggs said as automation continued to reshape the workforce, demand for creative skills was surging.

“The cultural sector is growing like crazy. All tiers of government now make it part of their business to provide the community with cultural pursuits and more jobs are opening up.

“There are so many creative businesses springing up and so many surprising career paths in the arts, from art education and administration to curating galleries or starting your own art business.”

Ms Griggs said the landmark degree offered eight hours a week face-to-face teaching in the renowned arts facility, Gallery 43, at TAFE NSW Wagga Wagga, and in the studios at TAFE NSW Albury. During the three-year course, students will undertake two hands-on subjects in the studio, and two other subjects spanning art history and theory, art entrepreneurship and innovation.

“This degree will ensure that artists have the practical skills and experience that they need to pursue a career in visual arts or open their own business.

The TAFE NSW degree has been lauded by some of the Riverina-Murray's most respected arts figures including the Creative Director of Eastern Riverina Arts’, Scott Howie, who has described it as a “game-changer”.

“It’s great to have a bachelor degree in the arts available in the region, especially one that focuses on the practical skills of building a career in the industry,” Mr Howie said. “As we make the transition to the knowledge economy, these hands-on skills are becoming even more important for artists.”

To find out more about studying the Bachelor of Creative Practice at TAFE NSW Wagga Wagga from semester one, phone 13 16 01 or visit www.tafensw.edu.au/courses/art-and-design-courses

Media contact: Daniel Johns, TAFE NSW Media and Communications – Business Partner, 6938 1441, mobile 0477 722 428.