Media Release | NAS O Week: Take Two

The National Art School launches innovative academic program

Students back to school as NAS reboots art education

The National Art School has responded to the challenge of education in the time of coronavirus by rapidly developing new ways to engage with students and support their art practice, embracing a range of digital platforms and rearranging the academic year to maintain our outstanding teaching and learning environment.

Over the past weeks, NAS academic managers and staff have worked tirelessly to create an Academic Contingency Plan for students and teachers in the Bachelor of Fine Art, Master of Fine Art and Doctor of Fine Art courses. The plan ensures NAS continues to provide the best art education, blending online and onsite learning across a revised and extended academic year.

NAS’s traditional Orientation Week for students took place as usual in February at the start of the 2020 academic year. From April 7, the school will host a second online Orientation Week. This will introduce students to the next stage of their art education, restarting on April 14, including revised teaching schedules, accessing information and resources through a custom-built online student portal, and providing personalised video platform tutorials.

These changes bring the National Art School’s Art History and Theory lectures and tutorials online alongside some fine art teaching and critiques for the first time, embracing new teaching methods and accessibility that will continue to enhance student learning long after they return to campus and face-to-face instruction.

“The school is dedicated to supporting all its students to pursue their degrees in the best possible conditions given the present circumstances,” said Steven Alderton, NAS Director and CEO.

As the coronavirus has affected all education institutions, NAS has consulted with peer institutions throughout the higher education sector, to compare approaches, support each other and ensure art schools continue to deliver a comprehensive art education during this challenging time.

NAS also continues to connect to its wider community. For the many visitors who participate in NAS’s busy public art program, the school’s current exhibition as part of the 22nd Biennale of Sydney: NIRIN will soon be accessible online via the Google Arts and Culture platform, with plans for filmed walk-throughs, podcasts, interactive Q&A sessions with artists and curated tours. As of last week, NAS began presenting its own series of interviews with Biennale artists, starting with Tony Albert and Lucienne Rickard, through its website and social media.

NAS Connect launched this week on social media, with students sharing their creativity at home via #NASStudioSessions, not only through their work but the personal places they have converted into innovative studio spaces, from the dining room table and the garage to the paddock. Esteemed NAS alumni and teachers such as Luke Sciberras and Les Rice are also sharing their experience and thoughts.

“These terrifying times, like others, test our mettle – our resolve to make work that takes us into and out of our own selves. It is as vital to work through times of grief, fear, environmental catastrophes and medical emergencies as it is to work and explore as ever.” Luke Sciberras

“It’s impossible to predict what the coming weeks and months will bring, but NAS will continue to provide outstanding artistic learning and public engagement with the arts. We are planning for the long game,” Steven Alderton said. Further updates will be announced via the NAS website and social media.

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