ACUADS Newsletter

April – May 2004

The ACUADS newsletter is an ad hoc publication from the Australian Council of Art and Design Schools. It aims to communicate information about activities of the Council Executive, research interests and events and activities related to the visual art and design sector.

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1. ACUADS Executive Meeting

The next ACUADS Executive Meeting is scheduled for 14 May 2004 at Monash University.

Agenda items include:

• ACUADS 2004 Conference, AGM and Call for Papers – see below
• Council for the Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences – ACUADS sponsorship
• Australian newspaper Advertising Supplement – July 2004
• National Education and the Arts strategy
• Distinguished Teaching and Research Awards.

2. ACUADS 2004 Annual Conference

Conference theme: "Art and Design Update: new policies – new opportunities"

Venue: Australian National University, School of Art
Childers Street, Canberra ACT 2601
Dates: 22-24 September 2004

Pre-Conference Seminars: (tbc) Wed 22 September 2004

- Foundation Studies - Convenor Kay Lawrence (UniSA)
- Honours Program - Convenor tba
- Graduate Students - convenor tba
- Computer Studies - convenor Gilbert Riedelbauch(ANU)

Colleagues interested to contribute to these seminars please provide a brief outline of your proposal.

Conference: Thu and Fri 23-24 September 2004

ACUADS AGM: Fri 24 September

Background
The planning of this year’s ACUADS Conference is well underway. Professor David Williams from the ANU School of Art and Chair, together with Professor Craig Bremner from University of Canberra Architecture and Design and Mr Jim Sullivan, Acting Dean, Faculty of Design, Canberra Institute of Technology constitute the organising committee.

The committee has already planned a number of related activities, events and exhibitions involving the 3 campuses. An international keynote speaker (tba) has been invited to present a National Press Club address on Wednesday 22 September. Screening of Leger’s 1924 silent film Ballet Mechanique with live accompaniment by ANU School of Music Drumatix at the National Gallery of Australia is being planned.

CALL FOR PAPERS

Following the introduction of major government reforms to higher education the conference will consider the impact of new policies and their implications for teaching and research in art and design education. The Conference will give priority to a focus on the new opportunities open to our discipline.

Papers are called for on the following themes:

• successful research initiatives
• potential for institutional collaboration
• internationalization in the brave new world
• teaching and assessment in the context of quality assurance.

Please send a 200 word abstract of your proposed paper clearly stating how it addresses the Conference theme, and a five-line biographical note to ACUADS@anu.edu.au BY Mon 10 May 2004.

For further information: contact Professor David Williams, ANU School of Art or email david.Williams@anu.edu.au

Note the dates into your diaries NOW – 22-24 September 2004 in Canberra.

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3. ACUADS Awards

ACUADS Distinguished Teaching Awards for 2004

This award was introduced in 2003 and will be continued in the Annual program of activities for ACUADS. It recognises outstanding teaching careers in art and design education.

Heads of Schools are invited to nominate candidates who are then assessed by the Executive Committee against the stated criteria. The ACUADS Executive believes that the presentation of this annual national award signals the strength and professionalism of the art and design discipline to members of the wider community. Publicity and promotion of the award in the Australian newspaper has added to the profile of the art and design sector.

Heads of Schools are now invited to submit nominations for the 2004 year. Closing date 31st July 2004; refer to the criteria and send to – ACUADS@anu.edu.au

NEW – ACUADS Distinguished Research Awards

In recognition of the high quality research which is taking place at Art and Design Schools, the Executive Committee decided to create a new category of award. Its purpose is to identify and acknowledge significant research achievements in the visual arts and design education sector. This includes the co-ordination, supervision, mentoring and/or examination of higher degree art and design research students, as well as maintaining a distinguished personal research record.

The Award will consist of a citation and presentation at the ACUADS AGM. Heads of Schools are invited to nominate candidates to a member of the Executive Committee for this inaugural award for 2004. Closing date: 31st July 2004. Send to: ACUADS@anu.edu.au

4. ACUADS Teaching Exchange Program

The Executive Committee recently endorsed a proposal for a Teaching Exchange program between Australian University Art and Design Schools. The exchange seeks to contribute to the professional development and experience of teachers in art and design. Details of the process are currently being drafted and further information will be available in the near future.

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5. CHASS – 'Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences on the Hill'

The Council for Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (CHASS) is moving ahead. This new advocacy body is currently inviting organisations to become Foundation members of CHASS and ACUADS has been one of the first to be approached. CHASS is running a new event 'HASS on the Hill' which will be an opportunity for a range of representations to be made directly to Federal Parliamentarians. This has been scheduled for June 15-16 2004.

For more information about CHASS, 'HASS on the Hill' and sponsorship please see the CHASS web site www.chass.org.au.

6. NAVA News

ACUADS continues to enjoy a valuable partnership with the national Association for the Visual Arts (NAVA).

Activities include:

• development of Professional Practice study courses
• complementary membership for Art and Design students
• access to NAVA publications
• Code of Practice for Australian commercial galleries and the artists they represent
• Participation in NAVACN (National Association of Visual Arts and Craft Network)
• meetings to develop a lobby to improve quality and provision of art , craft and design
• education in schools, teacher education and professional development
• Cooperation to ensure a strong art and design voice as part of the newly established Council for Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (CHASS).

ACUADS supports NAVA in its role to advance professional interests of the Australian visual arts and crafts sector through advocacy, representation and service provision. Contact NAVA for more details : http://www.visualarts.net.au/

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7. What's On

ACUADS Seminar Program for 2004

ACUADS-assisted Seminars – for your diary:

Postgraduate Seminar and Painting Symposium at Monash

Monash University Department of Fine Arts is hosting the following program:
Spectrum of Possibilities: the Significance of Painting in Current Art Practice -
Symposium 9-10 July 2004

Painting continues to be central to current art practice, constantly reconfiguring itself in the most exciting ways both formally and theoretically. This conference will provide a forum for an in-depth exchange of ideas between artists, writers and curators on the significance of painting in both its material and philosophical dimensions within current art practice in the 21st Century. Papers are called for what will be a lively and vigorous debate on the place of painting today.

For further information – contact leslie.eastman@artdes.monash.edu.au or call on
03 9903 2146.

University of South Australia – Blind Spot

Now rescheduled to 16 October 2004.

The South Australian School of Art had advised that their Blind Spot 1 day will now be held at Nexus Multicultural Arts Centre in Adelaide on Saturday October 16 2004.

The Blind Spot symposium represents the latest partnership between South Australian School of Art and Nexus Multicultural Arts Centre and will explore current issues of cultural diversity in art education. A range of speakers(educators, artists, contemporary theorists, students and others) will address aspects of tertiary as well as secondary visual art teaching. As an opportunity for benchmarking best practice in this area, this symposium is conceived as a first stage towards opportunities for further research in contemporary Australian art education, as that relates to cultural diversity, multiculturalism and internationalisation. Blind Spot will provide various perspectives, vital information and vigorous debate.

Further information: contact sally.matthews@unisa.edu.au or pam.zeplin@unisa.edu.au.

Rhapsody 21C – The Future of University Museums and Art Galleries in the 21st Century

Rhapsody 21C is a conference that examines the character, management and place of the museum and art gallery in the work of the modern-day university. Museum and Art Gallery professionals, academics and postgraduate students are invited to present papers, posters or form panels to propose futures for these institutions. This event is hosted by the Academy of the Arts, University of Tasmania on 25-28 May 2004.

See web site for full details: http://www.acadarts.utas.edu.au/rhapsody21c/

IdN My Favourite Conference

Singapore 13-15 May 2004

A multi-disciplinary program for designers and others is being offered at the Singapore Expo Hall for 3 days including workshops on motion graphics, a design gallery looking at the notion of 'Future Beautiful' and a showcase of contemporary Singaporean creative works.

For further information and registration see http://www.idnworld.com/conference/events/

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8. News and Information

ACUADS 2005 Seminar Program

Details of programs seeking ACUADS support for next year should be forwarded for consideration to ACUADS@anu.edu.au.

Bundanon Residency for Emerging Artists

This year, BUNDANON expanded its artist in residence program to offer places to the best honours and masters students graduating from Australian art schools. The Bundanon Residency for Emerging Artists provides a unique opportunity for budding artists to make a transition from the relative security of art school to the real world of professional practice.

The residencies offer exclusive accommodation and studio space free from charge but the recipients are asked to provide their own linen, food and art making materials. The judging panel will be seeking graduates from all Australian art schools in their field and will award four places each year. Art Schools are asked to help identify suitable candidates from which the selection will be made.

Any art school wishing to participate by providing an opportunity for their graduates to be considered for selection should contact the Executive Officer of Bundanon on 02 4423 5999 or email rene@bundanon.com.au for details. Visit www.bundanon.com.au for general information.

To Look Within: Self Portraits in Australia

To mark the opening of The James and Mary Emelia Mayne Centre at its St Lucia campus, the University of Queensland is presenting a series of talks and tours to accompany the first exhibition. Over 100 self-portraits from the colonial period to the present are featured and the speakers program continues from April through June 2004.

For further information see http://www.maynecentre.com.au/

Position Vacancy – Universal College of Learning in New Zealand

• Deputy Principal and Director of Creative Industries

The Universal College of Learning (UCOL) in New Zealand is seeking to appoint a Deputy Principal and Director of Creative Industries Programs at their Wanganui campus.

Academic Search International have been appointed to assist in filling this vacancy.

For further information please contact Melanie.firebrace@academic-search.net.

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