Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Art at Institute of Technology Carlow

Students on this dynamic course learn creative skills and knowledge, aesthetic awareness and professional practices in contempory art. Painting, sculpture, digital media, photography and video are covered as well as art history, film studies and cultural studies. Students learn by actively working on creative projects in a studio context, in IT labs and traditonal lectures.

The practical skills gained include professional methods of art making, creative risk-taking and experimentation, seeking and staging exhibition opportunities, community arts, effective communication and presentation skills and a broad knowledge of the contemporary arts landscape in Ireland and Europe. The course is highly student-centred and provides a forum for exchanging diverse ideas and opinions through group crit, field trips, and a visiting artist programme.

Special Features:

• A wide variety of studio disciplines including: painting; sculpture; digital media and photography.

• Students can choose to specialise in either painting or sculpture in Year 3 and 4.
• Final year course work is presented in the form of a degree show.
• Annual public exhibitions in the South East are held at recognised art galleries and site specific locations such as the Wexford Arts Centre.
• Students have the opportunity to take international field trips in Years 1 and 2.
• Guest lectures from Irish and international contemporary artists.
• Many of the art lecturers are well-known artists and students benefit greatly from working closely with artists who are active in research, art and design, writing, curating and exhibiting.
• Exit awards: Bachelor of Arts in Art (NFQ Level 7) after Year 3.

What will I be able to do when I finish the course?

The course equips students with the confidence, experience and skills needed to operate as a professional artist or seek a career in the broader arts world and creative industries. A core teaching objective is to enable students to become self-confident in the creative language of visual art from an early point of the programme through encouraging independent learning, self-assessment, self-reflection and academic writing and research skills.