Sydney College of the Arts

Sydney’s leading contemporary art school for education and research

For more than four decades we have been the major NSW training ground for exceptional contemporary artists, researchers and curators.

As Sydney's first tertiary art school, we have led the way in studio-based visual arts practice and education since 1976, and we are still evolving and delivering innovative contemporary art programs that support the professional success of our graduates.

We teach people how to become artists, curators and art writers active in national and international visual culture. Our academic staff believe studio-based learning is integral to any visual arts degree and understand the importance of working with practising artists, designers and craft specialists. Staff maintain professional profiles in their field with many exhibiting nationally and internationally.

Our study offering

Moving Image

The Master of Moving Image offers you a hands-on education in contemporary moving image production by teaching you how to develop a film project from concept to screen. Taught at Sydney College of the Arts, where you will have access to our editing laboratory, gallery spaces, art studios, practical expertise and shared postgraduate culture.

Postgraduate

Master of Moving Image

Visual Arts

Visual Arts is focused on providing you with the conceptual, theoretical and technical skills you need to succeed as a practising artist or in a range of careers in the creative industries. Taught primarily at Sydney College of the Arts, you will have access to our gallery spaces, art studios, practical expertise and shared postgraduate culture.

Undergraduate

In addition to meeting the academic admission criteria for our Bachelor of Visual Arts, Bachelor of Visual Arts and combined Bachelor of Advanced Studies degrees you will need to submit a portfolio of your artwork.

*Available to all students studying the Bachelor of Arts, and Bachelor of Economics, as well as all combined Bachelor of Advanced Studies  degrees, except for the Bachelor of Visual Arts / Bachelor of Advanced Studies.

Postgraduate

Research

Exhibitions

Image: Biljana Jancic, Exit Strategies, 2016. CCTV camera, image splitter, 5 channel video projection. Photo by Ian Hobbs.

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Galleries and exhibitions

Showcasing works to the University and broader arts communities

At Sydney College of the Arts we have an active gallery program of exhibitions featuring works by Australian and international contemporary visual artists and designers, staff, students and graduates.

Our research

Research is central to creative life at Sydney College of the Arts. Our research culture reflects and actively shapes the increasingly trans-disciplinary nature of contemporary art with links to industry and policy. Our approach to practice-led research means the work of our academic staff and students engages with diverse fields of inquiry, including architecture, music, environmental humanities, politics, Indigenous studies, history, philosophy, design, science and technology.

Our staff and postgraduate students are renowned for practice-led research. Our creative and scholarly works are exhibited and published in highly regarded venues, journals, monographs and media outlets around the world. 

Within this dynamic culture, we offer research degrees at master's and doctoral level. Our research students form a vital part of a stimulating culture in which to share creative discoveries with each other, staff and external partners in forums, exhibitions and symposiums.

Contemporary Art

Research at Sydney College of the Arts is multidisciplinary, experimental and practice-led. Our renowned researchers include artists, curators and writers working across diverse fields of enquiry.

Our people

Key contacts

Mr Andrew Lavery, Director
Dr Adam Geczy, Undergraduate Coursework Co-ordinator (Semester 1)
Dr Jan Guy, Ungergraduate Coursework Co-ordinator (Semester 2)
Dr Karin Findeis, Honours Co-ordinator
Dr Stefan Popescu, Postgraduate Coursework Co-ordinator
Dr Julie Rrap, HDR Co-ordinator
Ms Joyce Hinterding, Research Director
Mr Liam Garstang, Gallery and Events Manager
Ms Gulnara Shayakhmetova, Manager, Visual Arts Delivery

Academic staff

Search our academic staff by visiting academic profiles online.

Technical staff

Our location

SCA is currently located in Rozelle. Its relocation to the University of Sydney’s main Camperdown/Darlington campus begins in 2020. Renowned architects ARM have been engaged to create cutting-edge facilities for contemporary artists at our new premises in the Old Teachers' College. Students who have commenced studies with us prior or in 2020, should anticipate completing their studies at the new facility on main campus. 

There is a free inter-campus shuttle bus between the Rozelle campus (outside Sydney College of the Arts) and Fisher Library on the Camperdown campus for students and staff.

Print lab

Services

The Print Lab produces archival pigment museum grade prints of many sizes and in many materials. The wide-format machines used are based on leading technology and software.

Price list and payments: