Course summary

This practice-based Masters programme enables artists to critically reflect upon, challenge, and refine their work in the context of recent developments within the field of contemporary Fine Art practice. You will be encouraged to investigate and reconsider assumptions underlying your own practice. The course is multi-disciplinary; it promotes critical debate and dialogue between artists working across different media and platforms. You will be expected to explore and rigorously define your objectives both as an individual artist and within collaborative projects with other creative practitioners and arts institutions. You will be encouraged to respond to contemporary discourse surrounding the production and distribution of art works, engaging with questions relating to the evolving role of the artist within society and the increasingly hybridised ways in which artists work. A vibrant studio culture is a distinctive aspect of our MA provision. The aim is to provide a stimulating forum for staff and students to exchange ideas, share ongoing reflection, and challenge assumptions about what forms their work should take and how it should be experienced. You will receive tutorials, group critiques, seminars, visiting lecturers, workshops, visits and tours, and work on live briefs and collaborative projects with external partners. The course will enhance your position as an independent artist with a range of professional practice skills. Developing practice-based research methodologies will also prepare you for further post-graduate study. INDUSTRY LINKS HCA has excellent links with local, regional, and national visual arts organisations, including New Art West Midlands, Meadow Arts and the Sidney Nolan Trust. COURSE HIGHLIGHTS • The synthesis of critical theory and practice is central to the philosophy of the course. • Students are encouraged to challenge and reconsider habitual ways of working or underlying assumptions within their practice. • Course delivery takes the form of tutorials, group critiques, seminars, visiting lecturers, workshops, visits and tours, live briefs, and collaborative projects with external partners. • Small group numbers to provide highly personalised levels of supervision and support. • MA studios and access to a wide range of workshops and facilities. AFTER THIS COURSE Students will be well equipped to operate successfully as professional practitioners in their chosen specialist field, or may consider continuing in education via teaching or PhD study.