Research, Scholarly Art Practice

There is currently much debate concerning the form and nature of postgraduate research in creative arts, particularly where studio-based practice is an integral part of the work. However, the creative areas in a University are often the only ones who offer masters and doctoral degrees by an exegesis route and as a consequence, role models and experience are lacking. This paper is a prelude to a case study of higher degree research at the Arts Academy, University of Ballarat. The case study will be an attempt at mounting a serious contribution to creative arts research using a mixed studio teaching and exegesis discussion group approach. It is founded in a belief that there is an important distinction to be made between the artist per se and the ‘artist/scholar’, a distinction which it must be said is at the heart of the current debate. This presentation is given from the perspective of a research student.