OverviewAbout this course
Cultivate your visual arts skills and knowledge and benefit from a broad range of electives empowering you to work with confidence in the industry. You’ll learn to combine specialised technical, creative and conceptual skills to plan and realise your creative vision in this exciting course.
OutcomesWhat you'll gain
Learning outcomes
Through a mixture of theory and practical course work, learn to:
Refine your drawing using varied visual representation tools
Develop your own sustainable professional practice
Realise and present a body of creative work
Establish and maintain safe creative practice
Analyse cultural history and theory
Course outcomes
Gain practical experience and develop specialist skills that give you an advantage in the job market.
A nationally accredited qualification at Diploma level
The competence to develop and organise work that has the potential to achieve business outcomes
The ability to plan and organise exhibited work
The confidence to network for business development and to develop your own creative practice
A strong understanding of how the visual arts industry operates
Strong pathways to continue your study and enhance your career opportunities
SuitabilityIs this course right for you?
Entry requirements
This course requires evidence of previous experience or study before you can enrol
You'll need to provide evidence of your technical and organisational skills to conceptualise and create works in your selected medium.
You may have acquired such skills and knowledge through experience in creative practice or formal study.
Completion requirements
During your study you’ll need to provide your teacher with the following evidence:
Entry recommendations
To be prepared for this course, we recommend that you have:
Conceptual, technical and organisational skills gained through formal study or from your experience in a creative field
A portfolio of your work
A genuine interest in the visual arts and creative industry
Access to a computer and a reliable internet connection
Skills to use basic features of Microsoft Office such as Word, Excel and Powerpoint
Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) at a Year 12 high school level
TAFE NSW may ask you to complete a Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) skills test. This skills test helps us to understand your individual study needs, to design an individualised plan that supports your study success and ensures your LLN skills match the demands of the course.
TAFE NSW is committed to meeting the learning needs of every community. Meeting these needs can mean there are additional entry requirements at different campus locations. Check your preferred location for further requirements. If you need help preparing for study, contact us to find out how we can support you.
PathwaysFuture career and study options
Career pathways
Our graduates go onto roles like: artist (sole trader), technical officer arts, assistant gallery assistant/attendant , community artist, art tutor and art retail assistant.
Study pathways
Take your study further with other courses offered at TAFE NSW:
Previous study1 Course
Begin here to gain experience and confidence in this study area.
Further study1 Course
Advance your skills to take your career to the next level
Related study1 Course
Strengthen your expertise and gain specialist skills to expand your employability.
Your experience counts
At TAFE NSW, we recognise your previous study and work experience. You can apply for recognition of prior learning or a credit transfer with any of our courses. If you're successful you'll get your qualification faster.
UnitsUnits taught in this course
Courses are made up of a combination of both core and specialty units. In the Diploma of Visual Arts qualification, you’ll need to successfully complete 15 units of competency, including 5 core and 10 speciality units.
Please note, not all specialty units are offered at every TAFE NSW location. It is highly recommended that you check with your preferred campus for information about the specialty units offered at that location.
Core units are central to the job outcomes of a particular industry or occupation. These are the units industry has agreed are essential to be capable and qualified at a particular study level.
Refine drawing and other visual representation toolsCUAACD531
Realise a body of creative workCUAPPR511
Develop sustainability of own professional practiceCUAPPR512
Present a body of own creative workCUAPPR513
TAFE NSW servicesFacilities and support
TAFE NSW provides support services across all campus locations and online. Whatever your needs or circumstances, we have the people, resources, counselling and facilities to support you in focusing on your studies.
TAFE NSW Disability Support Service
TAFE NSW Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) support
TAFE NSW Aboriginal Support; Learner support (ABE)
TAFE NSW Careers, Counselling and Pathways Service
TAFE NSW Libraries
Scholarship programs – be supported as you explore your talents and fulfil your potential
Read&Write literacy and study support software is available free for all TAFE NSW students to use while studying on campus and at home
LinkedIn Learning – an online resource which offers innovative courses and tutorials to improve your personal and professional skills
Student associations – get social with our student community
Info sessionsWant to know more?
There are a total of 12 information sessions planned for this course. They'll take place at different locations across the state.
You can select a study option below to see the sessions available. Or you can view all sessions related to Aboriginal Cultural Programs