Art Portfolio Requirements

Art and Design Studies | Fine Art | Textiles |

Applications to the above majors are open to School leavers, TAFE students, mature age entrants, as well as Curtin course switchers. Please consult the TISC website for TER information and STAT test information and dates.

All applicants should apply through TISC (unless you are a current student or have studied at Curtin previously and still have a HECS debt with Curtin). Please visit www.tisc.edu.au for details or to apply online. Applications are open from Monday 8 August to Friday 30 September. A late fee is payable on any application lodged after this date.

All applicants for Curtin's Bachelor of Arts majors in Art and Design Studies, Fine Art or Textiles are required to attend a combined interview and folio review. A score is allocated for the interview and folio review and this is combined with the TER to determine the selection of students for the places in this course.

In the case of Course Switchers, your application will be assessed on the basis of folio and past academic record.The Department of Art will consider applicants with special circumstances.

If you have applied through TISC to any of these courses - Fine Art CUFNC, Textiles CUTXC or Art and Design Studies CUVCC the University will notify you in writing of the date and time for interview/folio review using the address indicated on your TISC application. The folio review and interview process is usually conducted at the beginning of December each year. If you do not receive notification of the interview date by the beginning of December or have applied or added a preference late, please contact Kandace Jenkins in the School of Design and Art administration on 9266 2273.

If applying for Direct Entry or Course Switching please contact the First Year coordinator, Nicole Slatter in the Department of Art to arrange for an interview at n.slatter@curtin.edu.au. Interviews for Semester 1 entry must be conducted by the end of January 2012.

The Interview

All applicants with the TISC code CUFNC, CUTXC or CUVCC as a preference (first to sixth) will receive a letter regarding your interview.

Applicants only attend one interview if you have preferences for Fine Art and Textiles. It is not necessary to attend more than one interview. Applicants should try to attend their highest preference interview. The scores for interview will be passed on to the other course controllers after the interview process.
Please indicate to your interviewer that you would like a copy of your folio/interview review forwarded to the appropriate Course Coordinator/s.

The interview process is a flexible process that is not intended to deter applicants. It is an opportunity to show the staff your engagement with art to date and to demonstrate your interest and enthusiasm as well as help you understand what the courses offer. In other words, it is an opportunity for you to ask questions about the course as well as to give an indication of why you are suited to the course. Be prepared to answer questions and talk about the work you are presenting as well as artist, works and ideas that interest you.

Please note that interviewers are looking for an indication of your visual communication abilities as well as your skills. Your interview will be approximately 10-15 MINUTES. Your invitation to interview will give you a three hour time slot for you to attend, for example between 9 am and 12 pm on Monday. You will arrive, place your name on a list and be called in to interview. Usually there is no more than 45 minutes wait, in which time you should look at the graduating exhibition for the Art students.

The Folio

What to bring to interview will vary for applicants. Some applicants will have more of an interest and knowledge of contemporary art and less of a practical folio.

The folio should contain a selection of your own work, which clearly demonstrates your skills and strengths. It is suggested that you include a representation of both developmental work and completed pieces. Your work can be 2 dimensional and/or 3 dimensional in format, but you are advised to photograph large pieces which are difficult to bring to the interview.

Where possible the folio should reflect your ability to communicate through a variety of visual media. You will take your folio away with you after the interview.

Note 1: If you have work that you would like to present which is very large, fragile, in a frame or behind glass, no longer in your possession, or if for some reason it is not possible to bring it as part of the folio, you are urged to document this work in some way and bring drawings, models or photographs and accompanying notes.

Note 2: You are urged to take care over how your work is organised and presented in your folio. Remember that the purpose of the folio is to enable you to show your creative potential in a clear and concise manner.

Assessment Criteria for folio review and interview

During the interview and folio review process staff will complete their assessment based on the following components:

1. Folio contents (range and use of media).
2. Skills (demonstrated in the work presented).
3. Invention (demonstrated in the work presented).
4. Discernment (self criticism demonstrated through the selection of work presented and discussion with the interviewer).
5. Flexibility (openness to new ideas as demonstrated in work and through interview).
6. Commitment (demonstrated through the presentation of self initiated work).
7. Awareness of contemporary practice in relevant fields (eg fashion, textiles, visual arts, design).
8. Interview (presentation and communication skills).
9. Potential (overall assessment of potential to succeed is made based on a combination of folio work and interview).

Distance Applications/ Unable to attend interview

If you are not able to attend the interviews in December you should try to make a time with the First Year Coordinator to attend at an alternative time.

Those applicants who live outside of Perth may post a submission to the First Year Coordinator.

Format of Posted folio

The posted folio should be digital format on a CD or DVD, or good quality photographic images. Do not send original artworks. You should include a short written statement since you are not able to speak about the work. The interviewer will telephone you to speak about the folio only if they deem further explanation is needed.

Folio submissions must be posted to:

Att: Nicole Slatter, School of Design and Art (SODA), Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth, WA 6845

OR Delivered to:

School of Design & Art, Admin Office, Building 202 Room 190, Curtin University, Kent Street, Bentley WA 6102
Folio submission must be made prior to January 7th 2012.
Clearly indicate your NAME, ADDRESS, CONTACT PHONE NUMBER and TISC number on the front of your folio.
You will be responsible for the collection of your folio following the review process in Jan/Feb 2012.