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Unit of study_

CAVA4002: Professional Arts Practice

Semester 2, 2021 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit locates your arts practice in a professional context. In a series of workshops, you will develop and apply strategies fundamental to visual arts business practice, covering topics such as arts law, copyright, contracts, photographing work, writing exhibition proposals, grant applications and curriculum vitae, and defining a market. You will consider how you want to present yourself publicly as an artist, establishing the foundation for a sustainable career, with a strong business ethic enhancing and extending your creative working life. In the latter half of the semester, you will undertake fieldwork in an arts institution of your choice supported by feedback from your lecturers.

Unit details and rules

Unit code CAVA4002
Academic unit Sydney College of the Arts
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Jan Guy, jan.guy@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment hurdle task Final Report
Complete a final report on your engagement with your chosen institution.
50% Formal exam period
Due date: 24 Nov 2021 at 23:59
3000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Presentation hurdle task Presentation of Proposal
Oral and written proposal
20% Week 06
Due date: 15 Sep 2021 at 10:00
1000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment hurdle task Case Study Documentation
compiled folio or online blog
30% Week 10
Due date: 20 Oct 2021 at 23:59
equivalent 2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
hurdle task = hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

  • Task 1 Create a proposal  to engage with a public or private art/cultural institution. You should use information from class discussion and your own preparatory research as the foundation for this proposal. You should identify the specific organisation, your aims and objectives during the period of engagement and the methodology you will use to gather and assess information during the engagement.
  • Task 2 Compile information from the beginning of your engagement with your chosen organisation and thereafter on an ongoing basis. This should take the form of a hardcopy folio OR an online blog. The collated information should include chronological entries in the form of journal entries, photographic images, interviews, outlines for institutional events, publications, pamphlets research index and any other relevant documents. 
  • Task 3 Complete a final report ) on your engagement with your chosen institution. This report will include a rationale for your institutional engagement, the specific parameters of your study, and an interpretation and assessment of the information you have gathered. You should include a statement that identifies the position/role of the institution within the broader arts community and its potential for the development and support of the emerging arts practitioner. This report should take the form of a PDF suitable for online publication

Assessment criteria

 

Result Name

Mark Range

Description

High Distinction

85-100

To be awarded to students who, in their performance in assessment tasks, demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard 

Displays innovative and imaginative thinking. Artwork or written work demonstrates initiative and ingenuity in research and production, confident and proficient application of materials and critical skills 

Distinction

75-84

To be awarded to students who, in their performance in assessment tasks, demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard 

Artwork or written work demonstrates initiative and resourcefulness in research and production, competent application of materials and critical skills throughout, receptiveness to critical feedback, and a willingness to explore new ideas

Credit

65-74

To be awarded to students who, in their performance in assessment tasks, demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard 

Artwork or written work displays some evidence of initiative in research and production, competent application of materials and critical skills in most areas, receptivity to critical feedback and a willingness to explore new ideas.

Pass

50-64

To be awarded to students who, in their performance in assessment tasks, demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard.

Artwork or written work contains evidence of a broad and reasonably accurate command of material and technical proficiency, responds to critical feedback in fairly direct translation. 

Fail

0-49

To be awarded to students who, in their performance in assessment tasks, fail to demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard.

Artwork or written work displays clear deficiencies in technical skills, little or no response to critical feedback, a lack of engagement with the unit of study, fails to demonstrate any understanding of conceptual ideas and practices, does not satisfy most or all of the basic unit of study requirements. 

 

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 1. Introduction to UOS 2. Group Discussion of Task 1 (reading) Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4
Week 02 1. Seminar: Small Business Structures for Art Practitioners (reading) 2. Group Discussion - Who are your Stakeholders? Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4
Week 03 1. Seminar: Building a Public Profile (reading) 2. Group workshop - Making a Name for Yourself Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 04 1. Seminar: Fundamentals of Grant Writing (reading) 2. Group exercise - writing for grants Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 05 1.Seminar: Problems and Challenges of working in the public sphere 2. Group discussion of your ideas for potential field experience Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 06 1. Presentations of Student Proposals and Feedback (assessment Task 1) Presentation (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 08 1. Seminar: Fieldwork: making contact 2. Group discussion of protocols and strategies Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Week 09 Individual Tutorials (feedback on field work progress) Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 10 Roundtable (peer and staff feedback on fieldwork documentation progress) Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 11 Individual Tutorials (feedback on field work progress) Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 12 Individual Tutorials (feedback on field work progress) Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 13 1. Group tutorial - Mapping Institutions, Problem Solving, Summaries Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4

Attendance and class requirements

Additional requirements from Sydney College of the Arts

  • Students must attend a minimum of 90% of timetabled activities for this unit of study, unless granted exemption by the Unit Coordinator.
  • All assignments are compulsory and must be attempted. 
  • You must attend scheduled assessments to be eligible to pass. Non-attendance at assessment on any grounds insufficient to claim special consideration will result in the forfeiture of marks associated with the assessment. 

This class requires you to spend at least another two hours per week on independent research and learning activities. Fieldwork may require more hours.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Readings for this unit can be found in Reading List on Canvas.

Additional resources may be added in weekly class discussion

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the operating structures of a variety of art institutions/organisations and other external bodies relevant to the individual's art practice.
  • LO2. Confidently negotiate opportunities for your arts practice and research with art institutions/organisations and other external bodies.
  • LO3. Understand and apply various procedures related to grant writing, small business establishment, and creating a public profile in the contemporary arts field.
  • LO4. Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of Ethics, Diversity and Cultural Competencies relevant to individual art practice and ongoing professional activities.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

This is the first time this unit has been offered.

Work, health and safety

You can find the Work, Health and Safety Policy on this webpage

https://www.sydney.edu.au/about-us/vision-and-values/safety-and-wellbeing.html

You must follow any WHS directive given by your lecturer or other staff associated with this unit of study.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.