UNISA

Department Of Art History, Visual Arts and Musicology

P.O. Box 392, UNISA, 0003

BACCALAUREUS IN VISUAL ARTS
Degree Code 02224




Second year UNISA student work

2

Dear Student,

Thank you for your interest in studying Visual Arts through our department.
Art is not just about making an artwork! As a university student you will be expected to deal with
not only a wide range of media and technical processes of art-making but also to explore the
development of ideas into visual metaphors. This involves a variety of research methodologies
including required experimentation, mind maps, workbooks and field trips/on-site investigations. This
research component forms a major part of the 1
st
level practical modules and requires time
management and commitment.
As a department, we adopt an interdisciplinary approach and you will have the opportunity to
explore digital as well as traditional techniques. There is the opportunity of use our computer
equipment with all the required software. This option will require a prior booking with the Lab
Assistant of the Spacing, our Sunnyside Campus Computer Lab.
Drawing (GAR1501), Painting (TWF1501) and Sculpture (THF1501) are the foundation modules for
the Visual Arts degree. In these courses you will be introduced to both traditional and non-traditional
modes of art-making as well as to the many movements and trends in contemporary art. The aim of
these foundation modules is to deal with the concept of art and develop an understanding that art-
making is not only a question of manual skills but combines a creative attitude with technical
proficiency and conceptual intentionality.
At first, many students have problems with understanding the tutorial letters and with "what is
expected. You will learn that there are no correct solutions - even if you are unsure, make a
decision and experiment with your ideas. It is much more important to explore different ideas and
media. When seeing the work of other students during the workshops, you will realise that there are
many ideas and approaches and a whole range of media and techniques that you can explore.
Workshops are an essential teaching component of the courses and they bridge the gap between
distance-teaching and residential situations. Two workshops are presented (March/April and
July/August) when assessment and practical sessions are conducted. It is important to take full
advantage of these and students should plan their year so as to attend as many days as possible. It
is very difficult to cope with this degree without the assistance offered at workshops. You will also
learn much from your fellow students. The practical sessions will give you the technical guidance
and the assessments will help you with ideas and the formal principles and knowledge that you
require.
Art is not a discipline that one can cram at the last minute. It requires commitment and a schedule
that provides time for regular practical working sessions. You will need to invest at least 15 hours
per week if you wish to progress and develop your creative potential. It is advised that students
register for no more than two practical modules per year.
The below document contains:
Admission and registration requirements / procedures
Departmental entrance requirements
The curriculum outline
The portfolio requirements and short questionnaire
Frequently Asked Questions

Please read thoroughly through the information and feel free to contact the department should you
have any further queries about your studies. We look forward to having you as a student in this
department.

Kind Regards,

The Staff, Department of Art History, Visual Arts and Musicology
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UNIVERSITY ADMISSION AND REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
Listed below are our requirements into degree studies in the Department of Art History, Visual Arts
and Musicology.


Matric exemption will allow you to study for degree studies.
Please take note of the new application and registration procedures.
(Unisa website www.unisa.ac.za or http://applications.unisa.ac.za) For application dates
see the prospective students online form.
The first step is to apply for a student number. Applications to study at Unisa in January
2011 close on 30 September 2010. Second semester applications are open from 14 March
to 29 April 2010.
The second step is to apply for entrance into the degree and obtain a "permission slip" by
submitting a portfolio of artworks and completed questionnaire to the department.
The third step is to register at Unisa for a specific degree (at this stage you submit your
"permission slip" obtained).
Students can register from 29 November 2010 to 31 January 2010 for all Visual Arts and
Multimedia modules. NO LATE REGISTRATION WILL BE PERMITTED.
Prospective students must keep in mind that they have to attend TWO workshops for every
practical module they enrol for. This is a requirement of the university and the department.
Workshops and exam assessments are done in Pretoria, Cape Town and Durban only.
Students can view the registration dates on the UNISA website.
The academic year begins on 15 January; you are advised to register ASAP.

NB. It is compulsory to apply for entrance into this degree and obtain a "permission
letter" from the Department of Art History, Visual Arts and Musicology.


DEPARTMENTAL ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS
Portfolio submissions and workshop attendance.


In order to obtain permission to register for the Bachelor of Visual Arts Degree, potential
students must submit a portfolio of 8 works for assessment.
Prospective students have to submit a portfolio of 4 drawings AND 4 paintings, together with a
completed questionnaire, including personal details AND submit 2 passport photos. (See
questionnaire below).
The drawings and Paintings must have been done in the past Two years and can be of everyday
objects.
Alternatively, do the following drawings and paintings: 4 black and white drawings (pencils,
pastels, charcoal) of everyday objects, city, figure, plants, etc AND 4 small paintings oil or
acrylics: everyday objects, plants, figure, etc.
Our selection is based on the drawings, paintings and completed questionnaire, which you are
strongly advised to submit digitally. (See last page of this document for questionnaire).
Permission is granted solely by the Department of Art History, Visual Arts and Musicology.

To Submit your Portfolio via Email:
Once you have completed your four drawing and four paintings, scan the work or take digital
photographs.
Compete the questionnaire below in full. This questionnaire can also be downloaded from the
department website.
Email the questionnaire, images of your artworks and passport photos to Katya Venter on
Venteea@unisa.ac.za
Please put the following in the subject line: Portfolio Application (Student Number)
Please make sure the email is not bigger than 2mb.

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To Submit your Portfolio via post or courier:
Once you have completed your four drawing and four paintings, Make colour copies or
photographs of the work.
Compete the questionnaire below in full. This questionnaire can also be downloaded from the
department website.
Courier the questionnaire, images of your artworks and passport photos to
Fihliwe Ndala
Department of Art History, Visual Arts and Musicology
Room 1-08
Building 12C
Unisa Sunnyside Campus
Cnr Mears and Walker Street
Sunnyside
0001
Post the questionnaire, images of your artworks and passport photos to:
Fihliwe Ndala
Department of Art History, Visual Arts and Musicology
Box 392
UNISA
0003
Please note that using regular post will take longer.


Additional Compulsory Degree Requirements

Students must be able to attend at least one workshop per practical module. It is strongly
advised that you attend both workshops for each module. Workshops are conducted at UNISAs
Pretoria, Cape Town and Durban centres.
All students are required to attend at least 2 days of the first workshop for each of the modules
for which they are registered. However, students are strongly advised to attend all
workshops presented for their particular modules as these are important modes of
tuition.
Students are required to submit the first project/assignment for each of the modules for which
they are registered. Please consult your tutorial matter with regard to the submission of these
compulsory assignments. Please note that if you do not submit the compulsory assignment for
each module, you will NOT be given exam admission.

Please direct all queries about study fees and all other administrative details to:
Fihliwe Ndala (012 429 6798), e-mail: ndalafs@unisa.ac.za

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CURRICULUM SUMMARY: BVA DEGREE

Please see my Modules @ Unisa brochure and my Registration @ Unisa - College of Human
Sciences for further detailed information.

FIRST LEVEL (FIRST YEAR SUBJECTS)
GAR1501 Drawing 1 (Practical subject)
TWF1501 Painting (Practical subject)
THF1501 Sculpture (Practical subject)
ARH1501 Visual Literacy (Art History)
ARH1502 Art Today (Art History)
PLUS 5 BA MODULES:
Language modules. Select 2 from the list on page 80 of my Registration @ Unisa - College
of Human Sciences
Optional modules. Select 2 modules from the following
COM2036 Integrated Organisational Communication (Communication Science 203)
MCT328J Music Technology- Digital Audio (Music In World Cultures Today 328)
WLL2602 Film, Literature and Society Pre: Any 2 first level modules
Language module: Choose 1 from the following modules
ENN103F English for Academic Purposes (English 103)
TEX2601 Writing Skills for the Communication Industry

Recommended registrations for practical modules for the first level:

Year one: GAR1501 and
TWF1501 plus one theory
module;
Year two: THF1501 plus two
theory modules;

OR
Year one: GAR1501 plus two
theory modules;
Year two: TWF1501 and
THF1501 plus one theory module.

SECOND LEVEL (SECOND YEAR SUBJECTS)
GAR2601 Drawing 2 (Practical subject)
VAR2601 Visual Art 1 (Practical subject)
VAR2602 Visual Art 2 (Practical subject)
ARH211k Art and Ideology (Art History)
ARH212L Art and Transcendence (Art History)
ARH213M Art Theory and Criticism (Art History)
ARH214N Art and Patronage (Art History)

THIRD LEVEL (THIRD YEAR SUBJECTS)
PAT3701 Professional Art Practice
VAR3701 Visual Art 3 (Practical subject)
VAR3702 Visual Art 4 (Practical subject)
ARH311N Art and ideology 2 (Art History)
ARH312P Art craft and design (Art History)
ARH313Q Art theory and criticism (Art History)
ARH314R Popular Visual culture (Art History)

FOURTH LEVEL (FOURTH YEAR SUBJECTS)
PAT4801 Professional Art Practice
VAR4801 Visual Art 5 (Practical subject)
VAR4802 Visual Art 6 (Practical subject)
ARH411R Contemporary International Art (Art History)
ARH412S Contemporary South African Art (Art History)
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FIRST LEVEL
GAR1501 (GAR1116) Drawing 1 (year module)
Purpose: to introduce the student to the discipline of drawing and to provide students with basic
skills training in drawing. The module aims at developing creative thinking through the guidance of
projects and incorporates both methodologies inherent to art practice and the principles and
techniques of drawing.
TWF1501 (TWF111X) Painting (year module)
Purpose: to introduce the student to the discipline of painting and to provide students with basic
skills training in painting. The module aims at developing creative thinking through the guidance of
projects and incorporates both methodologies inherent to art practice and the principles and
techniques of painting.
THF1501 (THF111E) Sculpture (year module)
Purpose: to introduce the student to the discipline of sculpture and to provide students with basic
skills training in sculpture. The module aims at developing creative thinking through the guidance of
projects and incorporates both methodologies inherent to art practice and the principles and
techniques of Sculpture
ARH1501 (ARH111G) Visual literacy (S1 and S2)
Purpose: to introduce students to visual literacy and the scope, aims and methods of art history.
Students are introduced to the different ways of looking at and interpreting works of art and
architecture; a history of the critical methodologies employed within the discipline from the time of
Vasari to the present day; and the aims of art historical research within the context of a revisionist
approach.
ARH1502 (ARH112H) Introduction to art history (S1 and S2)
Purpose: to equip students with an overview of art history, its themes, styles, purposes, prospects
and problems. Qualified students will be able to use basic terms of art history in their understanding
of perspectives and methods relevant to art history.

SECOND LEVEL
GAR2601 (GAR211A) Graphic processes (year module)
Purpose: to advance upon the methodologies and techniques introduced at NQF Level 5 of visual
arts studies and to enable students to investigate various themes within contemporary culture with a
range of graphic media. By focussing on formal and conceptual aspects an independent research
methodology will be developed. Although students are introduced to the module through the
discipline of drawing, expanding the visual research base to include alternative forms of graphic
expression is encouraged. Students will explore ways of engaging with metaphor in art and are
advised to develop a critical attitude to utilising media and creative conventions.
VAR2601 (VAR211D) Visual Arts 1 (year module)
Purpose: to enable students to formally and conceptually explore the visual and metaphorical
potential of the notion of mass culture. The learning takes place through the exploration of various
formal manifestations such as drawing, painting, sculpture, traditional and non-traditional rendering,
digital prints and photographic images. Multimedia students will learn to produce a short animation
(two or three dimensional). Multimedia students will expand upon the new media production
concepts and techniques explored in VAR211E.
VAR2602 (VAR212E) Visual Arts 2 (year module)
Purpose: to enable students to formally and conceptually explore the visual and metaphorical
potential of the notion of mass culture. Expressive figurative manifestations of re-interpretation,
deconstruction and application of historical as well as contemporary cultural phenomena, icons and
myths are encouraged. The learning takes place through the investigation of various formal,
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traditional as well as non-traditional methodologies and media. Multimedia students will expand
upon the new media production, concepts and techniques explored in VAR2601.
ARH211K Art and ideology 1 (S1 and S2)
Purpose: to provide students with a consideration of the visual arts as an expression of socio-
political ideologies. The art selected for this investigation belongs to different periods preceding the
20th century and stems from various places and cultures. The aim is to highlight ways in which
sociopolitical ideologies condition the production of art. Topics include: colonialism in 19th-century
Southern Africa; Renaissance art and the depiction of women; Yoruba cosmology and material
culture; David and the art of the French Revolution.
ARH212L Art and transcendence (S1 and S2)
Purpose: to provide students with different conceptualisations of the sacred and the relationship
between human beings and the sacred in different cultural contexts. Attention is focused on art
which is specifically interwoven with aspects of religious life: the Northern Renaissance; the Italian
Baroque and the Roman Catholic Church; the art of ancient Benin and the concept of royal divinity;
the art of Egypt.
ARH213M Art theory and criticism 1 (S1 and S2)
Purpose: to enable students to understand and analyse art historical methods and theories which
have been developed since the Renaissance up to the mid twentieth century. It requires critical
reading of original writings and later commentaries in order to arrive at a critical assessment of
earlier methodologies. Topics include: Renaissance theory of Alberti; 15th-century Florentine
painting and perspective; African art history; the concept of classicism.
ARH214N Art and patronage (S1 and S2)
Purpose: to enable students to understand and analyse patronage as the chief area of social context
which informs the form and content of the visual arts. The area of study includes objects of
European and African cultures of historical times up to the 19th century: 15th-century Florentine art
and the influence of humanist patronage; 17th-century Dutch painting as comment on materialism;
Roman art and imperialism; 19th-century South African colonial images.

THIRD LEVEL
PAT3701 (PAT301F) Professional Art Practice 1 (year module)
Purpose: to provide students with theoretical information on professional art practice.
Comprehensive guidance is given on professional exhibition practice as well as on the positioning of
the professional artist with regard to the art market, commissions and residencies. Students are
guided in the writing, preparation and production of professional art catalogues. For students
specialising in Multimedia, the module entails the writing of a research article, which is extended into
interactive and printed catalogue formats.
VAR3701 (VAR311G) Visual Arts 3 (year module)
Purpose: to provide students with competency in the medium of a students choice. No specific
assignments are set. Students submit a proposal in which the area of research, subject matter,
methodology, strategy and choice of materials are identified. Understanding and manipulating form-
content dynamics is a strong focus. The final practical work must be presented in a professional
venue such as a gallery and accompanied by the necessary exhibition documentation.
VAR3702 (VAR312H) Visual Arts 4 (year module)
Purpose: this module extends the focus and concerns of Visual Arts 3 and will enable students to
acquire an advanced level of competency. Students continue their practical visual research based
on the proposal that was presented for VAR3701.
ARH311N Art and ideology 2 (S1 and S2)
Purpose: to enable students to understand and analyse the intimate alliance that exists between art
and ideology, with specific reference to the twentieth century. A primary area of investigation is
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Western Modernism and the ways in which artists and theorists are challenging Modernist notions,
foregrounding gender and socio-political dimensions in the society in which art is produced. Areas of
investigation are: Early European Modernism; Cubism; Dada and Duchamp; Primitivism.
ARH312P Art, craft and design (S1 and S2)
Purpose: to enable students to understand and analyse industrial aspects of art in contrast to artistic
endeavour in which individual expression is regarded as the dominant force behind its production.
Aspects covered are: William Morris, John Ruskin, and their theories of art as a tool for social
upliftment in industrial England; co-operative art projects in Africa and elsewhere in the previously
colonised world, often initiated under the auspices of missionary groups, where art functions as a
primary source of income for people marginalised from Western-style commodity culture; Bauhaus
and Modernist design in mid twentieth-century Europe; and training in South Africa since the 1950s.
ARH313Q Art theory and criticism 2 (S1 and S2)
Purpose: to enable students to understand and analyse art theory and criticism with a focus on the
20th century. It covers the following aspects: Modernism post 1945; American Feminism of the
1950s to the 1970s; colonialism and postcolonialism; word and image. The aim is to relate these
discourses to praxis.
ARH314R Popular visual culture (S1 and S2)
Purpose: to enable students to understand and analyse popular visual culture in the twentieth
century, specifically in relation to consumerism. As such, the module looks at the emergence of
graphic design; aspects of popular visual culture in Africa; Pop art and consumer culture; the age of
photography. The aim is to critically consider popular visual culture as a feature of increasing
consumerism and to theorise high and low culture.

FOURTH LEVEL
PAT401J Professional Art Practice 2
Purpose: to provide students with theoretical information on professional art practice.
Comprehensive guidance is given on professional exhibition practice as well as on the positioning of
the professional artist with regard to the art market, commissions and residencies.
VAR411K (VAR411K) Visual Arts 5
Purpose: students present a proposal in which they formulate their own area of visual research with
regard to concept, methodology and strategy. Students continue with their practical visual research
according to the proposal. No specific assignments are set and the final practical work must be
presented in a professional venue such as a gallery and accompanied by the necessary exhibition
documentation.
VAR412L (VAR412L) Visual Arts 6
Purpose: this module entails continuance of VAR411 and the practical visual research. No specific
assignments are set and the final practical work must be presented in a professional venue such as
a gallery and accompanied by the necessary exhibition documentation.
ARH411R Contemporary international art (year module)
Purpose: to guide students to understand and analyse contemporary discourse around visual culture
in the international context, but with sharp focus on controversies and deliberations of the last 30
years. Debates on the relationship between art and the community or the public, categorizations and
definitions of art and critical methodologies are scrutinised.
ARH412S Contemporary South African Art (year module)
Purpose: to enable students to understand and analyse contemporary discourse on visual culture in
the South African context. Debates on the relationship between art and the South African community
and the public, categorisations and definitions of art and critical methodologies are scrutinised.
Conceptualism and Postmodernism form the core of this module, but with local application. Special
attention is paid to the nature and orientation of exhibitions in the South African context.
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SELECTION QUESTIONNAIRE

DATE OF APLICATION:

UNISA STUDENT NO:

DEGREE YOU ARE APPLYING FOR:

FULL NAMES AND SURNAME:



ID NUMBER

ARE YOU A SOUTH AFRICAN CITIZEN:

AGE:

F: M:

PHYSICAL ADDRESS







POSTAL ADDRESS







TEL (H):

TEL (W):

FAX:

CELL:

EMAIL


BY DOING THIS DEGREE YOU DO NOT QUALIFY TO APPLY FOR A STUDY PERMIT.

AGE GROUP

UNDER 20
YEARS

20 30
YEARS

30 40
YEARS

40 50
YEARS

OVER 50
YEARS

HAVE YOU RECEIVED ANY PREVIOUS
ART TRAINING?


YES

NO

WHERE?


DEPARTMENT OF ART HISTORY, VISUAL ARTS
AND MUSICOLOGY


ATTACH 2
PASSPORT
PHOTOS
10

WHERE WILL YOU BE ABLE TO ATTEND THE WORKSHOPS THAT ARE HELD TWICE A SEMESTER?


PRETORIA


CAPE TOWN

DURBAN

KEEPING IN MIND ALL YOUR PRESENT COMMITMENTS, HOW MANY HOURS DO YOU REALISTICALLY
THINK YOU COULD SPEND ON YOUR ART STUDIES PER WEEK?


LESS THAN 10
HOURS


10 20 HOURS

20 30 HOURS

30 40 HOURS

MORE THAN 40
HOURS

PLEASE ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS IN FULL SENTENCES. THIS QUESTIONNAIRE IS PART OF THE
SELECTION PROCESS.

Previous art experience, if any:










Why do you want to do the degree, what do you expect from the course and how will you use your training?











What do you understand about art today, contemporary art or new developments in art? Even if you do not
know much about art today, please explain what you think art is, what media artists use, where you can
see/find art, etc.










PLEASE RETURN THIS COMPLETED QUESTIONNAIRE, WITH YOUR PORTFOLIO AND PASSPORT
PHOTOGRAPHS TO:

Fihliwe Ndala
Department of Art History, Visual Arts and
Musicology
Sunnyside campus, 12C room 1-08
Corner Mears and Walker Street, Sunnyside
012 429 6798
E-mail: ndalafs@unisa.ac.za
Katya Venter
Department of Art History, Visual Arts and
Musicology
Sunnyside campus, 12C room 1-32
Corner Mears and Walker Street, Sunnyside
012 429 6807
E-mail: venteea@unisa.ac.za

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

HOW IS VISUAL ARTS TAUGHT THROUGH DISTANCE EDUCATION?
1 Tutorial Letters
Students will receive Tutorial Letters in which the course structure and objectives will be set
out. In the first and second level modules projects are set on topics such as art and material
culture, art and the land, and art and the body. Please refer to your tutorial letters for
further information regarding submission dates for projects/assignments. Projects are
formulated to develop visual research skills and allow freedom of exploration. These projects
must be completed at home in the students own time and surroundings. In the senior study
years, i.e. the third and fourth study years, the emphasis is on professional practice and
conceptualisation. Students may specialise in traditional modes of art-making like painting,
sculpture and printmaking. In addition students may investigate video, photography,
ceramics, mixed media, computer graphics and areas of contemporary art-making such as
installations, performance art, environmental and ecological art interventions as well as art in
a public or social context.
2 workshops
Workshops for each module are compulsory. Tuition takes place via study material as well as
workshops held in Pretoria, Durban and Cape Town. These workshops include
demonstrations, slide lectures and assessment, as well as lectures and field trips, visits to
galleries, and other institutions and are aimed at conceptual and practical problem solving.
Two contact sessions per module are scheduled per year.

HOW ARE PRACTICAL SUBJECTS EXAMINED THROUGH ODL?
Each module ends with an exam presentation in the form of a portfolio of work. Students
submit the stipulated work (individually stipulated by each module) for the October/November
exam assessment in the form of an exhibition, which might include a multimedia on-screen
work. Exam papers and affidavits are sent to students and practical exams take place at
home in the students own studio in the form of an extended portfolio. Affidavits must be
completed in duplicate and signed by a Commissioner of Oaths. The one affidavit must be
sent to Me Zelda de Villiers of the Exam Department at Unisa and the other affidavit must be
presented with the exam work.

DOES IT MATTER THAT I HAVE NEVER STUDIED ART BEFORE?
It does not matter if you have never studied art previously. Entrance to the degree is granted
on your matric exemption and the submission of a portfolio of works that you have created
and the completion of a short questionnaire. Portfolios are assessed on an individual basis
and should your application be successful, you will be issued with a letter of permission from
the Department. Please note that we have many successful student who have no previous
art training. Prospective students must keep in mind that they will have to attend at least 2
days of both workshops for each of the modules for which they are registered. However,
students are strongly advised to attend all workshops in full presented for their particular
modules as these are important modes of tuition. Additionally students are required to
submit ALL projects/assignments for each of the modules for which they are registered.

WHERE WILL I DO MY PRACTICAL WORK?
All Practical work will be completed in the students own space at home. It is up to students to
find a quiet place where they can work on their projects

WHY DO I NEED TO REGISTER WITH MY.UNISA?
myUNISA was developed to improve communication between lecturers and learners. You
can access administrative information such as biographical details, academic and
assignment records, examination results and dates, and financial records. Academic
information comprises courseware, subject-related academic guidance, discussion groups,
recommended books and more.
12

HOW WILL I KEEP IN TOUCH WITH OTHER STUDENTS / LECTURERS?
The my.unisa website will function as the initial point of contact between you and your
lecturers and fellow students. Additionally when you attend the workshop sessions you will
personally meet many other students that you can then arrange to be in contact with.
Lecturers will be available telephonically and via email during office hours, and should the
need arise you may make an appointment to meet directly with your course lecturer.
For details on how to sign up with my.unisa, please go to:
https://my.unisa.ac.za/cmsys/myUnisa/myLifeJoinActivate.html

HOW MANY MODULES CAN I DO EACH YEAR?
The number of module that you do each year depends on how many hours you will be able
to dedicate to you studies on a weekly basis. Keep in mind that you will need to spend 10
15 hours per week, minimum, on each practical module that you register for. We do not
recommend doing more than two practical modules in your first year of study.

HOW MUCH DOES STUDYING THROUGH UNISA COST?
Study fees at Unisa are calculated by the number and type of modules that you register for
and not a set annual fee. An estimate of your study fees can be obtained from the following:
https://registration.unisa.ac.za/info/

WHAT MATERIALS WILL I NEED?
You will receive a list of the art-making materials that you will need for each module in the
101 tutorial letters. Please note that this list is not prescriptive and you are allowed to
experiment with other materials as and when directed. Additionally, it is always worth
shopping around for materials as you often find items cheaper at a hardware store than you
will at an art or stationery shop.

CAN I STUDY FROM OVERSEAS?
It is possible to study this degree from overseas; however there will be more obstacles that
you will have to deal with. Since you wont be attending all the workshops there is teaching
that you will miss. Also it will be your responsibility to ensure that you practical work arrives
via post / courier at the department at least a week prior to the commencement of the
workshop session. Your work will then be assessed and you will receive written feedback.
Please make sure you always contact your course co-ordinator to make prior arrangements
for sending your portfolios.

WHAT MUST I INCLUDE IN MY PORTFOLIO?
You need to have at least 4 drawings (pen, pencil, charcoal etc) and 4 paintings. These can
be new works that you create now, or they can be selected from work you have already
done, provided it was completed within the last two years.

HOW DO I SUBMIT MY PORTFOLIO?
To submit your Portfolio via Email:
Once you have completed your four drawing and four paintings, scan the work or take digital
photographs. Complete the questionnaire in full. This questionnaire can also be downloaded
from the department website. Email the questionnaire, images of your artworks and passport
photos to Katya Venter on Venteea@unisa.ac.za Please put the following in the subject line:
Portfolio Application (Student Number) Please make sure the email not bigger than 2mb.
To submit your Portfolio via post or courier:
Once you have completed your four drawing and four paintings, make colour copies of
photographs of the work. Complete the questionnaire in full. This questionnaire can also be
downloaded from the department website. Courier the questionnaire, images of your
artworks and passport photos to Fihliwe Ndala (see address above)
13



WHY DO I HAVE TO ATTEND WORKSHOPS?
Workshop sessions will provide solutions to several problems, for example:
The lecturer is not limited to viewing the final artwork only; he/she is involved with the
development of the whole project. Recurring mistakes can be obviated.
Lectures will be directed towards the development and the structuring of creative
processes.
By working together, a stimulating spirit and a sense of identification with other students,
lecturers and courses, will evolve. Students will learn from mutual contact and discover
that they have common problems. The feeling of working in isolation will be minimised.
Opportunities will be provided for individual discussion of your work and projects. This
critique and assessment of your work from lecturers and fellow students will be
invaluable in determining your progress.
Technical problems can be more easily discussed and resolved in a workshop situation.
Regular attendance at workshops can provide a necessary adjunct to a practical and
creative learning structure, achieving a balance between independent development and
direct tuition.

HOW DO I CHOOSE WHICH SUBJECTS I SHOULD REGISTER FOR?
When the department issues you with a permission letter, we will recommend which practical
modules you register for. This is based on several factors such as level of competency and
time available for study. This is only a recommendation so should you feel like you would like
to do fewer modules it is your choice. Remember however that you have a time limit of ten
(10) years in which to complete the degree. You need to decide how many theory module
you will be able to do in conjunction with the practical modules. However, please feel free to
discuss this with one of our staff. Keep in mind that you will gain so much more from this
programme if you dont rush through it.

IM TRANSFERRING FROM ANOTHER UNIVERSITY/TECHNICON, WHAT PROCEEDURES
MUST I FOLLOW?
Students transferring from other universities will still be required to submit a portfolio of work
for assessment. Please contact the department to make an appointment with one of the
discipline heads.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO GET CREDITS TOWARDS THIS DEGREE FROM MODULES THAT I HAVE
ALREADY COMPLETED?
Please contact the academic registrar to find out which modules you may obtain credits for
and how to go about applying for the transfer of credits.

WHAT CARREERS WILL BE OPEN TO ME ONCE I HAVE COMPLETED THIS
DEGREE?
You will be equipped with skills in order to practice in the under-mentioned specific
professions, amongst others:
professional artist
curator / art critic
art administrator
gallery manager/assistant
corporate art advisor
art tour guide.
community art specialist
art journalist/ art archivist
museum guide / art
educator
subject librarian
art data base specialist