Course details
The MA Socially Engaged Art (SEA) is a two year, Level 9, taught masters degree focusing on the dynamic relationship between socially engaged arts practice and pedagogy. Embedded in this programme is a further education teaching qualification, necessary for those considering a career as a teacher or facilitator of learning within an increasingly diverse further education sector. As a site for experimental learning and critical debate, the course attracts students from a range of disciplines who want to immerse themselves in a trans-disciplinary enquiry.
Socially engaged art practice is an artistic practice that requires a meaningful interaction with communities of place and/or interest and with broader social or political intentions at its core. It includes collaborative, community based, process based, public and dialogic practices that rely on social intercourse and exchange. The MA is provided through taught classes in NCAD on two evenings per week, students are required to undertake a practicum within a formal and informal educational setting with some additional day-time blocks for workshops, field trips and seminars. In Semesters 2 and 3, students also engage in practice placements. Semester 4 centres on student-led research through a major project. Students critically engage with the creative and pedagogical approaches learnt on the course, building a capacity to research, plan and develop a significant body of self directed work.
The programme offers two rich rewards to graduates:
1 A fulfilling academic experience in socially -engaged practice, incorporating practical applications and theoretical reflections; and
2 Professional qualification for teaching in the Further Education sector, accredited by the Teaching Council of Ireland.
Updated on 08 November, 2015About National College of Art & Design
In the past many of the most important Irish artists, designers and art teachers have studied or taught in the College. It has long been the central and most important art and design educational institution in Ireland.
The origins of the College date from 1746 when Robert theyst had a private drawing school in George's Lane, Dublin, which was taken over by the Dublin Society (later the RDS). Throughout the eighteenth century there theyre three schools: Figure Drawing, Landscape and Ornamental Drawing and Architectural Drawing. The School of Modelling was added in 1811. From 1854 the institution was controlled by the Department of Science and Art, London. In 1877 it was renamed The Dublin Metropolitan School of Art. The Department of Education took control in 1924, and ttheylve years later it became the National College of Art. In 1971 the National College of Art and Design was established by act of an tOireachtas and is now governed by a board (An Bord) appointed by the Minister for Education and Science.
The College's campus is situated in Thomas Street, in the historic Liberties area of Dublin. In 1998 the College opened its new wing, the School of Design for Industry, and now houses all of its activities on the Thomas Street campus.
In recent years, the College has conferred honorary associateships on Sybil Connolly, Dr. James White, Patrick Scott, Jan de Fouw, Sonja Landtheyer, Conor Fallon, Dr. Seamus Buachalla, Leonora Curry, Paul Costelloe, Prof. Anne Crookshank, Charles J. Haughey, Dr. Patrick Moriarty, Dr. Edward Walsh, Professor George Dawson, Michael Farrell, Paul Hogan, William Walsh, Mealla C. Gibbons, Bro. Joseph McNally, Juan O'Callahan and Anthony Cronin.
The College has 1,000 full time students and a further six hundred students who are taking evening ctheirses. Those who know the College, and those who have attended the Open Day, the annual exhibitions and fashion show, will be aware of the very high standards that are achieved.
The College has ftheir Schools; Design, Education, Fine Art and Visual Culture.
A tutorial system operates throughout the College and many of the ctheirses are project based. Students' progress is monitored at the end of projects, and by examination at the end of each year.
From its beginnings the College has been as equally concerned with fine art as with design. The School of Fine Art teaching combines the traditional disciplines such as drawing and painting with an open experimental approach which allows individuals to realise their ideas in a wide range of media. Through contact with teachers who are practising artists, students become familiar with the activities and the ideas of artists working in today's society. Students also become familiar with the fundamentally questioning nature of contemporary art and of the variety of responses generated by contemporary artistic practice. It is an intense visual education not only for artists but for others who may build careers in related directions.
The School of Design is the largest in the College and comprises ceramics, glass, metals, fashion design, industrial and product design, textile design and visual communication. In design the emphasis is on solving specific problems set by project. While students are expected to master the relevant technologies, the aesthetic design factor is stressed equally. There are many links with industry and students often work on competitions sponsored by commercial firms. The College aims to promote a broad education in design which can be the basis for a variety of careers either as part of a team in industry or by working individually in a studio or small business.
The School of Visual Culture interacts with other schools in providing the visual culture elements of all NCAD degrees. In both the fine art and design ctheirses, the element of history and theory of art and design is essential in assisting artists and designers to place themselves within a larger historical, intellectual, social and stylistic context. Within contemporary fine art practice, theory has become increasingly important. The Joint Ctheirse BA degree makes special provision for the student who wishes to explore art history and studio practice in art and design to an equal extent. For all students there is a requirement to attend regular lectures and submit written papers culminating in a thesis in the final year. The theyll stocked College Library is a central restheirce for all ctheirses.
The School of Visual Culture also offers an undergraduate degree in Visual Culture as theyll as a number of postgraduate taught and research degrees (PhD). This offers the student the opportunity to study the theory and practice of art and design in a creative art school setting.
The School of Education provides for the education of teachers of art, craft and design in second-level schools. There are two modes available: the ftheir-year joint hontheirs degree in Design or Fine Art and Education, and the one-year postgraduate Professional Diploma in Art and Design Education. The School also provide a Graduate Diploma in Community Arts Education. The Centre for Continuing Education in Art and Design is part of the School of Education and offers a range of part-time ctheirses including certificate ctheirses.
Artists and designers of international repute are invited to teach or give special lectures in the College. Exchange programmes with colleges and universities in Europe and the United States take place annually. Individual staff members are linked to numerous professional organisations at home and abroad. The College is a member of the European League of the Institute of the Arts.
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