Graduate Certificate in Arts

Curtin University

This foundation course is ideal if you want to extend your skills and critical capacity in a creative discipline, add a new area of expertise to your repertoire, or learn new skills in the arts if you’re looking for a career change.

This course is hands-on with a strong practical and theoretical focus, preparing you to apply your specialised skill set and knowledge in creative professional settings.

You will be taught by industry and academic experts who can connect you to relevant industries and creative communities. During your studies, you will put your skills to practise in our purpose-built facilities and creative outlets, such as the Media Production Studio, painting and sculpture studios and the student-run Grok magazine, and be inspired by the creative works of the John Curtin Gallery.

Choose your stream

You will specialise in one of the following areas:

Creative Writing

Fine Art

Professional Writing and Publishing

Screen Arts

Social and Cultural Inquiry

If you successfully complete the graduate certificate, you will be eligible to enrol in the Master of Arts degree.

Please refer to the handbook for additional course overview information.

How this course will make you industry ready

We provide on-campus industry and community-based initiatives to enhance your learning and skills development. You will undertake a major project under the supervision of an experienced member of staff. This project can become an important portfolio piece for many students.

You will practise your skills on placement with industry, arts and community organisations in Australia and overseas, developing your confidence and engagement with relevant networks. You may also have an opportunity to engage with award-winning artists, writers and researchers on staff through our on-campus residency programs.

What jobs can the Arts lead to?

Career opportunities

Artist

Arts administrator

Audio, broadcasting or theatre technician

Cinematographer

Copywriter

Curator

Digital content producer

Film, theatre or television director

Media liaison officer

Multimedia developer

Producer

Production manager

Publisher

Sociologist

Technical artist

Visualisation specialist

Employment industries

Arts and creative industries

advertising and marketing

Film and television

Government

Media and entertainment

Not-for-profit sector

Publishing

What you'll learn

Understand the chosen discipline from the Arts, its theoretical underpinnings, ways of thinking and professional or creative approaches; understand and apply established knowledge, principles and key disciplinary concepts.

Apply logical processes as well as rational or theoretical and methodological processes to analyse an issue or components of a subject through critical engagement.

Determine what information is needed by accessing and evaluating the sources, authority and relevance of information; summarize information from a range of sources, and make valid judgements about the information.

Communicate appropriately with colleagues, professional and creative contacts and the general public and develop communication skills or media practices to communicate specific ideas and requirements to different audiences in varying situations.

Assess the application of existing technologies or the impact of emerging technologies on a selected discipline; develop the technology skills necessary for obtaining, assessing and representing relevant information; decide on appropriate applications and systems for professional and/or creative needs.