The 1-year diploma offers both practical and theoretical courses, which have been developed in conjunction with the arts industry. It is designed to prepare you for a career in the visual arts or other related creative fields. A major focus is the production of a professional folio of work that reflects your personal creativity. The folio will display a sequential development, with emphasis on the acquisition of skills and the adaptation of those skills to the production of artworks with a sound personal philosophical base. The program is developed around the idea of contemporary arts practitioners as multi-disciplined. However, there is a strong drawing component in the course, which includes life drawing. All staff are practicing artists with national and international reputations in the arts. This enables them to connect you with industry, other practising artists and with galleries. The program also has a strong focus on exhibition practice and providing practical experience in the arts industry. On completion of the first year, you will transition to the Advanced Diploma of Visual Arts. This is also a 1-year program, which allows you to further investigate your creative practice with a more specialised focus. You will undertake independent studio practice and develop a wide-range of highly specialised technical, creative and conceptual skills and knowledge. You will have strong connection to industry and work on projects based on the partnerships RMIT have with industry. The diploma and advanced diploma programs prepare you for a career as visual artists or in other creative fields, as well as for further study in related fields.

You will have the knowledge and confidence to shape your future as a self-employed art practitioner, as a paid employee in the visual art and crafts industry, or as a high-level support staff member in an arts-related industry. Artists can be employed in a number of areas, including self-employment, project-based work, in schools, councils and government organisations, public project and commission-based work and as artists in residence. Artists may work in private studios or collective artist run spaces. Students who complete the Diploma of Visual Arts may also continue with their studies in higher education. You can choose to pursue further study or undertake work in a multitude of arts-related industries, such as gallery or museum work, community arts or as an art practitioner. You will graduate with the knowledge and confidence to make appropriate decisions regarding your future in arts roles such as: self-employed art practitioner paid employee in the visual art and crafts industry high-level support staff in art-related industries artist gallery or museum assistant/officer. You will also gain the confidence and experience to pursue further study in arts-related fields at a higher level. Professional recognition and accreditation Current students can join the Design Institute of Australia (DIA) as student members. Graduates can apply for associate membership and full membership once they have obtained their professional experience. Please note: eligibility for DIA full membership is based on a points system.