National Art School Painting Studio. Photo: Peter Morgan
It’s not always easy to forge a career out of making art, and, let’s face it – we are not all going to be the next Archibald Prize winner. So getting the right guidance, and maximising the opportunities for your future career as an artist, are key.
‘All of our teaching staff are practicing artists, so they bring a realistic sensitivity to the school,’ said Steven Alderton, Director of the National Art School (NAS), in Darlinghurst Sydney.
The National Art School proudly traces its history back to the Sydney Mechanics School of Art, when the first lecture was given in 1843, making it one of the oldest in the world. In 1922 it found a home in the grounds of Sydney’s oldest prison, where it now has a bespoke community campus which brings the visual arts together in one space, and teaches entirely by practice. Powered by this studio system, the school has an incredible alumni and draws the best of teaching staff.
‘At NAS we want to broaden your mind; we want to extend you,’ said Alderton. ‘You might come here for drawing, but find you like working in the digital media labs or the [sculpture] forgery. Art practice is so diverse now, and that is why our foundation year for students helps shapes those pathways for a 21st century practice.’
The National Art School is holding its annual Open Day on Saturday, 1 September 10am – 4pm.
‘It is “festival-esq” – there is a lot of energy,’ Alderton continued. ‘To think you can come in here and see where you could spend the next couple of years – that is an exciting thing. And our teaching staff are really keen to talk to prospective students about what they want to do with their life and how we can help them get there.’
Australia’s oldest art school with a 21st century attitude
In 2013 NAS had over 300 students enrolled. It now has 581.
‘We have had considerable growth – not only in the numbers applying but also the number of people we are accepting. Last year we welcomed 208 first year Bachelor of Fine Art students,’ said Alderton.
‘It’s such a unique place where you can find your place in a community and also in history,’ said Kirtika Kain, who is studying her Master of Fine Art.
During Open Day the NAS Gallery will be showing the exhibition, National Art / Part One, 165 artworks donated to the NAS Collection by 50 National Art School Alumni, who span seven decades.
The NAS Gallery, and the NAS Collection – along with Library, Archives and famed historic Cell Block Theatre – are part of the incredible teaching legacy of the school, which offers students a living resource.
NAS offers a Bachelor of Fine Art, Master of Fine Art and Doctor of Fine Art degree.
Alderton explained: ‘Drawing is at our core, so in our studio-based teaching model drawing remains a big part of what we do. But it’s two-fold. While you learn the skills of art making, you also learn the art history and theory side, so you understand the ideas to position your work within – we like to think we have all parts covered.’
‘It is a big decision – the career choice to be an artist – so we talk to a lot of parents as well over Open Day. They will ask: What is the future of visual art in Australia? Where can this degree take my son and daughter? We have really good examples of the diverse careers that can lead from studying at NAS,’ said Alderton.
Those opportunities are constantly expanding in our times, and part of the reality of a career in the arts is learning how to tap into communities and networks.
‘This year we did a Mardi Gras festival program, and later this year we are doing a fringe festival program. We look to connecting our students and the NAS community with what is going on in popular culture. You are not studying in isolation; we encourage more and more learning around how you plug can yourself into contemporary ideas,’ said Alderton.
‘Next year we will be re-imaging our Cell Block Theatre performance program. And we are master planning this site, so in the next few years you will see a lot more bespoke studio spaces for art making at the school. There is a lot of change and progression, and we see our offering as a dynamic, 21st century [atelier] model that is in touch, and engaged,’ he concluded.
If you have an artistic edge, something to say and the desire to create, the National Art School is the place for you. National Art School Open Day will be held on Saturday, 1 September 10am – 4pm.
NAS is located at Forbes St & Burton Street, Darlinghurst.
