Overview
This course prepares students for professional and independent practice in the arts by integrating creative identity, professional presentation, administration, project development, and industry expectations. Students examine career pathways across galleries, museums, cultural organisations, studios, creative industries, community arts, education, and self-directed practice.
Students develop and refine a professional portfolio supported by a coherent practice statement, biography, curriculum vitae, website content, and targeted application materials. The course addresses proposals, budgets, schedules, contracts, invoices, grant applications, residencies, exhibitions, commissions, publishing, festivals, teaching, entrepreneurship, and freelance work.
Professional communication, networking, collaboration, negotiation, project management, production planning, installation and delivery requirements, documentation, publicity, audience development, and presentation etiquette are considered alongside copyright, licensing, consent, cultural protocols, accessibility, safeguarding, workplace conduct, fair pay, sustainability, and responsible community engagement. Students manage a small arts project from concept to completion and critically evaluate the economic and ethical conditions of arts work.
Learning Outcomes
- Identify realistic career, professional practice, and development goals within relevant arts sectors.
- Construct a coherent professional portfolio, practice statement, biography, curriculum vitae, and digital presentation for defined audiences.
- Prepare feasible proposals, budgets, schedules, contracts, and supporting materials for arts projects and applications.
- Manage a small arts project from concept through production, delivery, documentation, and evaluation.
- Communicate professionally with collaborators, funders, clients, venues, audiences, and community partners.
- Evaluate professional opportunities according to strategic fit, financial viability, ethical responsibilities, accessibility, and legal requirements.
- Synthesize peer and tutor feedback to refine creative presentation, application materials, and practice-development strategies.
- Reflect critically on the economic, cultural, legal, and ethical conditions shaping contemporary arts work.
Timetable
| Type | Length | Frequency | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 2 hours | Weekly | All semester |
| Workshop | 2 hours | Weekly | All semester |
| Tutorial | 1 hour | Weekly | All semester |
| Studio | 2 hours | Fortnightly | All semester |
Assessment Schedule
| Type | Description | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Deliverable | Professional portfolio and practice statement | 25.00% |
| Assignment | Mock application and targeted supporting materials | 20.00% |
| Assignment | Arts project proposal, budget, and production plan | 20.00% |
| Assignment | Professional correspondence and opportunity assessment | 10.00% |
| Tutorial | Peer critique and participation | 10.00% |
| Capstone | Individually tailored practice-development plan | 15.00% |
Prerequisites
Teaching Staff & Programs
This course is delivered jointly by faculty from the participating programs listed below. In line with the Douchewater Way, the University of Sexology tailors core instruction directly to each cohort's specific discipline — adapting curriculum to program needs rather than forcing students into a one-size-fits-all model. Learn more about our approach at The Douchewater Way.
