Outline

Overview

In this unit of study, you will develop a self-directed practice-led visual art project in tandem with a close critique of international artworks created for contemporary art events. We will explore and critique political themes, methods and conceptual approaches that contemporary artists use to suggest the diversity of global contemporary art and life. As well as the BVA/BAS, this unit would be an ideal project for honours students wishing to do a discrete project outside their major project. If you are enrolled in CAHO4006, your work for this unit of study will be a separate supplementary studio project.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Sydney College of the Arts
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	48 credit points from Visual Arts or 72 credit points from CASF and CAST
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Sanne Mestrom, sanne.mestrom@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 August 2026

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Creative work	Creative Assessment 1 See Canvas for details	30%	Week 04 Due date: 24 Aug 2026 at 23:59	1800w equivalent	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Portfolio or journal	Creative Assessment 2 See Canvas for details	20%	Week 08 Due date: 21 Sep 2026 at 23:59	1200w equivalent	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Creative work	Creative Assessment 3 See Canvas for details	50%	Week 13 Due date: 02 Nov 2026 at 23:59	3000w equivalent	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

Creative Assessment 1: Studio Interview with a Practising Artist 20%

Identify and conduct a recorded studio interview (<10 minutes) with a practising professional artist whose work engages international contemporary art contexts. Submit the recording, a full transcript, and a 300鈥�500 word reflective companion piece. Sydney Contemporary Art Fair (self-directed visit, 3鈥�6 September) is the recommended sourcing pathway, since exhibiting galleries are typically staffed by the artists themselves.

Creative Assessment 2a: Collective Curatorial Contribution 25%

Take a defined curatorial role in delivering the cohort鈥檚 co-curated CAVA-Collaborative-Exhibition project (concept, budget, install, communications, opening logistics, public program, or documentation), negotiated and documented by Week 6. The curatorial concept must be developed in direct dialogue with the 25th Biennale of Sydney, Rememory. Submit a 500-word reflection; peer-assessment evidence (a structured instrument developed by the lecturer).

Creative Assessment 2b: Individual Artwork in the Exhibition 35%

Produce one artwork responding to the cohort鈥檚 curatorial concept for the cohort鈥檚 co-curated CAVA-Collaborative-Exhibition project, made using a material process genuinely new to the student鈥檚 practice (the "daring constraint"), assessed against a Week 1 self-declared baseline.

Creative Assessment 3: Grad Show Proposal 20%

Produce a professional exhibition proposal for their Honours examination art project for their graduate exhibition: New Contemporaries) (or听for CAVA-only students, a proposal for the CAVA-Collaborative-Exhibition project)

three alternative presentations,
an accurately scaled maquette (1:10 or 1:20),
digital diagrams,
project description,
dimensions, installation and space requirements,
technical/safety self-assessment,
curatorial statement,
biography, CV, image list, budget and timeline.
Delivered as a single walk-around crit day, and then uploaded to canvas later that same day.

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Assessment criteria

Result name	Mark range	Description
High Distinction	85 - 100	听
Distinction	75 - 84	听
Credit	65 - 74	听
Pass	50 -64	听
Fail	0 - 49	When you don鈥檛 meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

听

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the听Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the听Current Students website听for more information on AI in assessments, including听details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Assessment Submission Work not submitted on or before the due date is subject to a penalty of 5% per calendar day late. If work is submitted more than 10 days after the due date, or is submitted after the return date, the mark will be 0. Details of the Faculty Resolutions and Provisions regarding late work: Undergraduate: http://sydney.edu.au/handbooks/arts/rules/faculty_resolutions_arts.shtml

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website听provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the听Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM)听which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the听Current Students website听for more information on AI in assessments, including听details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a听simple extension.鈥� The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can鈥檛 complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for听special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students,听听includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy听reflects the University鈥檚 commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Unit launch, exhibition-lifecycle framing, unit guide alignment, Rememory Pt.1 seminar	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 02	MCA (Primavera 2026) and AGNSW (Mike Hewson), curator talks, comparative critique	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 03	Rememory Pt.2 seminar, Daring Practice Self-Declaration, Creative Assessment 1 brief, curatorial concept seeding	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 04	Chak Wing Museum (Rememory venue); student-led curatorial project work	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 05	Self-directed: Sydney Contemporary art fair (sourcing Creative Assessment 1 interview subject)	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 06	Student-led collaborative curatorial project work	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 08	Artist-Run Gallery Crawl, student-led	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 09	Creative Assessment 1 due. Student-led collaborative curatorial project work	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 10	Creative Assessment 3 due - walk-around crit day, staff and peer feedback	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 11	Mock Viva Voce, group 1 (formative, ungraded) -rehearsal for Viva Voce	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 12	Mock Viva Voce, group 2 (Tue, formative).	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 13	Final Creative Work	Tutorial (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

According to Faculty Board Resolutions, students in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences are expected to attend 90% of their classes. If you attend less than 50% of classes, regardless of the reasons, you may be referred to the Examiner鈥檚 Board. The Examiner鈥檚 Board will decide whether you should pass or fail the unit of study if your attendance falls below this threshold. If a unit of study has a participation mark, your attendance may influence this mark. For more information on attendance, see

http://sydney.edu.au/policies/showdoc.aspx?recnum=PDOC2014/345&RendNum=0 .

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Suggested readings will be made available on Canvas.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. demonstrate independent thinking through conceptualising and developing individual studio projects
LO2. contextualise ideas with an understanding of contemporary sculpture and the broader field of contemporary art
LO3. manipulate forms, materials and technologies with skill, understanding and an awareness of individual project concerns
LO4. critically evaluate concepts and the material resolution of their work
LO5. apply WH&S to all aspects of studio practice

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all 爆料王 graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one鈥檚 personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

This Unit is responsive to student feedback, continuous improvements and amendments

Additional information

In order to organise our gallery visits together, these will need to be conducted on听occasional Friday afternoons, in place of the Tuesday morning class on those respective weeks.

The specific changes to the timetable I'm proposing are:

鈥� 1 - 4pm Friday 14 August : MCA (Primavera) 听and AGNSW (Mike Hewson) visit, with curator talks

鈥� 1 - 4pm Friday 25 September : Artist-Run Gallery Crawl

鈥� 1 - 4pm Friday 30 October : Assessment 4: mock Viva trials and the mini-exhibition opening (date TBC)

Additional costs

鈼� Public transport costs to off-site venues (MCA, AGNSW, Chau Chak Wing Museum, Sydney Contemporary, artist-run gallery crawl) - self-funded. 鈼� Materials costs for Creative Assessment 2b, dependent on the material process chosen for the daring constraint. 鈼� Materials and fabrication costs for Creative Assessment 3鈥檚 maquette. 鈼� Students proceeding to exhibit in SCA New Contemporaries later in the year should be aware of the separate $200 student contribution fee for that event- this falls outside CAVA4003 itself but is directly relevant to Honours students using Creative Assessment 3 as preparation for it.

Site visit guidelines

鈼� Meeting points and transport arrangements confirmed in advance of each visit via Canvas announcement. 鈼� Students are responsible for their own transport costs to and from off-site venues. 鈼� For the self-directed Sydney Contemporary visit and the student-led gallery crawl, students attend independently or in small groups; the coordinator is available by email during these periods but not present on-site. 鈼� Standard SCA WHS expectations apply at all venues, including compliance with venue-specific safety instructions.

Work, health and safety

Please wear closed in boots. Some are available, but these are limited and shared and you must bring your own socks.

Please comply with any verbal WHS instructions given to you. Failure to do so might have you banned from the studio/workshop.

Please wear mask and safety glasses where required.

Disclaimer

Important: the 爆料王 regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an .

爆料王

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Additional costs

Site visit guidelines

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

CAVA4003: Art Making and Artworks

Semester 2, 2026 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional costs

Site visit guidelines

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links