Contemporary Art - master

Programme description

The program is structured around five courses:

SAK-3003 Thematic fields fundaments (15 ECTS)
The purpose of the Thematic fields fundaments course serves as a theoretical and artistic grounding for the Master programme. The course consists of main study topics which are to be decided each year by an Advisory Board convened and presided by the head of department. The course can have a focus on theoretical, discursive as well as aesthetic matters. The purpose of the course is to serve as a basis for an achievement of an advanced level in research, theory and artistic practice. It is held during the first semester of the program, and constitutes a foundation for the SAK-3005 Thematic fields advanced course.

SAK-3004 Self-Organisation 1 (15ECTS)
The course is both practical and theoretical focusing on different methods dealing with self-organisation. The students work with their own projects and have to complete compulsory requirements and tutorials to be eligible to take the exam. Such compulsory requirements are to plan, prepare and arrange a collective regional study trip.

SAK-3005 Thematic fields advanced (15 ECTS)
The course is a continuation of SAK-3003. Students must pass SAK-3003 to be eligible for the this course. The purpose of the course is to give a deeper understanding of theoretical and artistic matters related to the study topics from the SAK-3003 course and to further develop the student's skills in research, theory and artistic practice.

SAK-3006 Self-Organisation 2 (15ECTS)
The course is a continuation of SAK-3004. Students must pass SAK-3004 to be eligible for the SAK-3006 course. This course is both practical and theoretical and gives a specialization and deeper understanding of the self-organization processes. The students have to complete compulsory requirement and tutorials to be eligible to take the exam. Such compulsory requirements are to plan, prepare and arrange an international study trip.

SAK-3900 Master Project (60 ECTS)
The Master Project is each student's object of investigation (artistic project). The field of study is determined by each student based on his/hers experiences and the direction in which he/she wants to expand his/hers artistic practice, and is to be approved by the teaching staff in the beginning of the program. During this course the student should explore, develop and materialise his/hers field of interest.

Programme structure

Learning outcomes

After completion of the Master Degree Program the candidate should have achieved the following learning outcome:

Knowledge

• A profound understanding and critical approach within the Thematic Fields
• An advanced level within research, theory and artistic practice
• Experience of pedagogical methods and strategies in art

Skills

• Ability to explore, develop, materialize and communicate artistic practice and research in a profound and clear way
• Show independence and originality in confrontation with artistic challenges
• Initiate, lead and complete artistic projects
• Analyze, reflect, connect and communicate theoretical, discursive as well as aesthetic matters on a high level

General proficiency

• Share, discuss and contribute with ideas and knowledge in a collective context
• Contribute to the development and inventiveness of the professional art field
• Strong awareness of one's artistic process and a developed capacity to perform and create

Admission requirements

Admission to the Master's programme in Contemporary Art requires:

• Bachelor's degree (180 ECTS) in fine arts or equivalent education at university or university college level
• Accepted portfolio
• Written reflections in English on the submitted work samples (maximum of two pages)
• Written description in English about artistic direction and focus (maximum of one page)

Admission will be determined by an overall assessment of the applicant's qualifications, the quality of previous artistic work demonstrated by submitted portfolio and an interview.

The application must include:

• Documentation of Bachelor Degree and Certificate of Upper Secondary Education
• Written reflections
• Portfolio:
  • Documentation of 6-8 work samples (for example installations, drawings, paintings, photographs, videos, objects etc
  • Regarding longer video works, a short synopsis/trailer should also be handed in
  • Each of the documented work samples can include up to 5 pictures, for example how the work is installed, close-ups and a written description
  • Information about the material, measurements, running time and production year should be included Accepted file formats for films are MP4 (MPEG4), MOV or AVI, max 45MB/min, but at the most 2GB/film, JPG for pictures and MP3 for sound. Links to home-pages is not accepted
  • The portfolio must be saved on a memory stick or CD
  • List of attached documents, numbered, with details of format, technique, material, manufacture, title / description etc
  • All documentation in the portfolio must be clearly marked with your name. Mark the envelope: "No commercial value",and name of the programme you are applying for

Send to:

Tromsø Academy of Contemporary Art

UiT The Arctic University of Norway

Postboks 6050 Langnes

9037 Tromsø

Norway

Language of instruction

English

Study plan

Study program MA