What can I do with my TAFE qualification?

Visual, Performing and Circus Arts

Please note: the information contained in this document was current as of January 2011 Refer to www.swinburne.edu.au/courses/ for the most recent updates. Refer to the School of Visual, Performing and Circus Arts website www.tafe.swinburne.edu.au/visual/ for further information and a list of the courses offered in this area.

This broad study area encompasses courses that focus on a diverse assortment of specialisations. Ideal for those who don’t fancy the idea of a typical desk job, a course in this field allows students to harness their natural creativity and contribute to the arts both locally and globally.

For further market and industry information relating to your discipline, please refer to:

Swinburne University of Technology’s TAFE division has a longstanding reputation for the quality of its Arts graduates, and is well regarded for the range of courses offered across the Lilydale, Prahran and Wantirna campuses. Specialist facilities for arts students include painting and drawing studios, photographic facilities, and digital media laboratories including an editing suite for video, printing presses and sculpture facilities including welding, casting and outdoor areas.

The Department of Arts also operates The David Williamson Theatre and two galleries, Gallery 369 and Gallery PB. The Department maintains valuable industry links, with teaching staff maintaining a significant involvement and practice in the arts. Courses train students for industry employment, as well as providing a foundation for further study.

Courses in Costume such as the Diploma of Costume for Performance are designed for students who wish to pursue or enhance their careers as theatre technicians in the area of costume making and related areas. This course combines theory, practical studies, industry simulation, and industrial placement to enhance students’ overall knowledge, experience and networks. Career opportunities available to graduates are broad-based within the theatre, television and film industry, and extend to costume hire outlets, costume fashion promotions, festivals and creative novelty wear outlets. Fashion designers currently have good employment prospects with slight growth expected over the next five years.

Jobs titles may include the following:

Make-up artists currently have average employment prospects and employment in this industry is expected to grow strongly to 2014-15. Graduates of the Diploma of Specialist Make-Up Services gain application skills in prosthetics, special effects, stage, photographic, bridal, period, television, film and fashion make-up. They also gain skills in hairstyling, facial hair, manufacture and wig styling and maintenance. Graduates may gain employment in the film, television, theatre, photographic, beauty therapy and fashion industries.

Job titles may include the following:

Makeup Artist – Photographic, Fashion and Special Events
Makeup Artist – Theatrical and Performance

Theatre technicians currently have average employment prospects, with the employment market expected to remain steady over the next five years. Students completing the Diploma of Theatre Arts gain skills necessary to organise a performance, event or project and undertake the associated administrative tasks. The course is considered ideal for people wanting a broad-based vocational qualification enabling them to seek work in the theatre and entertainment industry. The course also offers individuals a chance to establish their own companies and work on a range of event projects. The industry placement provides valuable on-the-job experience. Employment may be gained as a theatre worker in a small company, or on specific projects with other artists.

Job titles may include the following:

Graduates of the Diploma of Visual Art, after specialising in Painting, Sculpture, Printmaking or Photography (black and white, video, Photoshop and film), will find rewarding careers in the visual arts industries where traditional practices converge with new video and digital technologies. Overall, employment for Visual Arts and Crafts Professionals to 2014-15 is expected to remain relatively steady, employment for Photographers to 2014-15 is expected to grow strongly, however unemployment for photographers is relatively high. Employment in this small occupation (9 000 in November 2009) remained relatively steady in the past five years, and fell markedly in the long-term (ten years), but with small occupations employment estimates can fluctuate. Visual arts and craft professionals have below average employment prospects, thus it is essential to develop strong networks within the visual arts industry.

Most Australian artists and craftspeople operate their art practice under a sole trader business model. This model may mean working across a number of employment options including time working as a studio artist, accepting commissions or short-term assignments, working as an artist-in-residence, developing concepts that require grant funding, licensing intellectual property, developing manufacturing or multiple production concepts and creating work for exhibitions, awards and other professional opportunities.

Jobs titles may include the following:

Entertainers currently have average employment prospects, but employment in this field is expected to grow slightly over the next five years. The National Institute of Circus Arts (NICA) has been established at Swinburne as a national centre of excellence for professional training in circus arts. Students interested in careers within the circus and physical theatre industries, in stunt work, corporate entertainment or festivals, can choose from a range of available courses. Swinburne University offers a Bachelor of Circus Arts through NICA; the degree is structured over 3 years, and is based on vertical integration of skills and methodology. These skills are introduced in the embedded two-year TAFE award, then built on in the Bachelor year. Job prospects for Actors, Dancers and Other Entertainers are average. Employment for Actors, Dancers and Other Entertainers to 2014-15 is expected to grow moderately. Employment in this small occupation (6 500 in November 2009) rose very strongly in the past five years.

Jobs titles may include the following:

The Diploma of Live Production, Theatre and Events (Technical Production) reflects the range of job skills needed to become a multi-skilled technician to work in areas such as drama, musical and dance shows. Graduates will have also gained a fundamental understanding of the technical considerations required when implementing any production or event for small and large venues such as lighting, audio and staging within the entertainment industry. Job prospects for Performing Arts Technicians are average. Employment for Performing Arts Technicians to 2014-15 is expected to grow strongly. Employment in this medium sized occupation (16 100 in November 2009) rose very strongly in the past five years, and in the long-term (ten years).

Jobs titles may include the following:

For a full list of credit pathways and requirements, see Swinburne Pathways website

For entry and admission requirements: www.swinburne.edu.au/courses

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What can I do with my TAFE qualification?

Visual, Performing and Circus Arts

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