About ACCS BA (Honours) in Visual Arts Practice

This programme is equivalent to the full-time day-study BA (Hons) in Visual Arts Practice.

It offers an interdisciplinary approach to visual arts practices, with streaming in years 2 and 3 according to 2D, 3D and 4D studies and takes place on a flexible-mode evening basis, (3 evenings p/week). ACCS (Accumulation of Credits and Certificate of Subjects) is an accommodating scheme recognised under HETAC which offers an alternative mode of study for third level qualifications suitable for, students wanting to take a 4 year BA (Hons) through evening modules, non-traditional learners, mature students and part-time study options.

Aims and Objectives

You will have an opportunity to learn a variety of skills/processes such as drawing, painting, printing, photography, sound, video, digital image manipulation, wood and metal fabrication, casting, mould-making, installation, performance and other related techniques.

This programme aims to educate you as visual arts practitioners (artists) through an integrated and multidisciplinary programme that provides you with the opportunity to make a comprehensive portfolio of work tested against the "real world" situations of contemporary practice.

What will I be able to do when I graduate?

You will have acquired an education that includes specialist knowledge of visual arts and the intellectual rigor together with the life skills that equip you for many career options available in the creative industries.

You can look forward to entering a range of careers in the creative industries as artists, curators, arts administrators, arts mediators, art gallery directors, art teachers, community arts coordinators, art directors, art critics and historians, film makers, photojournalists, image researchers, content developers.

Further studies at postgraduate level include the MA in Visual Arts Practices (DL052) at IADT, one year full-time or two years part-time.

What subjects will I study?

• Introduction to Visual Arts Culture;
• Introduction to self-direction;
• Support studies workshop and seminars;
• History of Visual Culture;
• Modernism, Modernity and Image;
• Postmodernism & the Avant-Garde;
• Interdisciplinary, Research Based and Self-Directed Studio Practices;
• Exhibition Production.

What are the Entry Requirements?

Applicants must be 21 years of age or over, and wish to further their education at a third-level institution.

Applicants between 21 and 23 years old must fulfil standard Leaving Certificate requirements.

Applicants are selected on the basis of a portfolio of their work and interview/information session.

What should my Portfolio include?

• A variety of images constructed in a variety of media (eg, images such as paintings, drawings, photographs, collages, film/video, photographs or slides of 3D work). Work using media such a water colours, oils, acrylics, crayons, pastels, pencils, charcoal, coloured papers, photographs, video tape, construction in plaster, wood, metal, wax, found objects/materials etc
• All these media and forms need not be present but some variety in media and format is essential. The key requirement is to demonstrate inventiveness, experimentation, flexibility, stylistic variation, visual and conceptual interest.
• Project work dealing with concepts and ideas. Project work demonstrates the development of an idea through a series of distinct stages from initial idea/theme, through experiment and research, to final outcome and conclusion. Project work may be presented in the form of project notebooks, sketches/test pieces and final outcomes. Project work can be in any medium
• You may submit work from relevant fields other than art practice, such as literature/theatre/film/architecture/IT/Design etc, as part of your portfolio – this is particularly welcomed from the non-traditional learner and mature student.

What is the closing date?

Applications must be made directly to the Institute by 16.00 hours on Friday 12th May 2006.  Please contact the Admissions Office for an application form or log into www.iadt.ie.

Are there any costs for materials and/or field trips?

The estimated cost of materials for the 4 year programme is in the region of €1,000 to €1,500 per year. This figure excludes exceptional purchases and field trips. This expenditure does not include preparation and submission of work for exhibition or national and international competitions.

What are the fees?

The fees for 2006/07 are €3,580 for EU nationals and €9,035 for non-EU nationals. Fees include examination, registration and student services fees.

* Please note:  This programme is subject to reaching a set minimum number of participants in order to proceed.