Do you want to develop your creative making and critical thinking skills in a meaningful and tangible way? If so, the Professional Certificate in Art and Ecology at NCAD may be just what you’re looking for.

This module introduces learners to fundamental principles, working methods, skills and theories relating to intersections of contemporary art with ecology. A special emphasis will be placed on ‘learning through doing’ in a series of workshops and situated environmental learning.

The course and programme work directly with an urban embedded novel ecology of the NCAD FIELD site. This taskscape acts as an outdoor classroom, a site for nature connection, commoning and a testing site for multi-species futures.  Connecting to the site and its seasonal activity, nature/culture connections are explored and enacted allowing  learners to expand their research, creative making and critical thinking skills  in meaningful and liveable ways. 

A grounding in the social, political, economic and historical issues that frame ecology’s of the  surroundings  site are explored. Through the programme practitioners will expand, develop and question their practices using the NCAD FIELD as a testing site and shared learning space.

This course introduces learners to the contemporary and historical field of art and expanded ecologies through situated environmental learning. Using and responding to NCAD’s physical inner city location learners will connect with inspiring ecological practices, environmental justice community projects and artists spearheading this emerging field.

**NOTE: The NovelEco survey mentioned in the video below has been completed in June 2023 and will be replaced with new course content in September 2023**

NCAD FIELD and the broader Liberties area will be the location for this work.

On successful completion of this module learners will be able to:

1. DEFINE: Demonstrate an outline knowledge and understanding of select core principles, processes and concepts associated with the Art and Critical Ecology.
2. CHARACTERISE: Demonstrate a working knowledge of the differing characteristics and practices associated with their contemporary creative Ecological Practices.
3. DISTINGUISH: Demonstrate the ability to undertake analysis, evaluation and synthesis of associated debates surrounding and centred in the programme pathway.

The course supports a range of creative approaches and interdisciplinary art and design practitioners that wish to connect and work in the space of critical ecologies and expanded environments. Learners aiming to work as artists, curators, activists, designers and cultural producers will be supported, giving them the tools, networks and knowledge to confidently work in this interdisciplinary field.

Professional Certificate in Arts and Ecology will also be of interest to a broad range of learners including: established and emerging artists, curators, activists, designers, makers, cultural producers, ecologists, scientists, architects, landscape architects, social workers, policy makers, biodiversity and sustainability officers, educators, horticulturalists, active citizenship, citizen scientists, and anyone interested in lifelong learning.

Professional Certificate module can be followed on by successive modules in Creative Collaborations, Creative Practices and a Creative Capstone upon completion of which a Diploma is awarded. This diploma lays the foundation for further study at Masters and Phd level.

With the growing importance of sustainability and environmentalism in today’s world, the demand for professionals with skills and expertise in art and ecology is only set to grow.

Prof Cert in Art and Ecology (constituting the initial Creative Principles module of a greater, 20 credit award) can be followed on by successive modules in Creative Collaborations, Creative Practices and a Creative Capstone upon completion of which a Diploma is awarded. 

Creative Collaborations are due to start on the 9th of October and run over four successive weeks. 

Creative Practices and Creative Capstone will be delivered in Term 2 and Term 3. 

This diploma lays the foundation for further study at Masters and Phd level.

Pre-requisites
All applicants are expected to present an approved Bachelor degree at minimum level of 2nd class honours (2.2)

As part of your application, you will be asked to upload the following supporting documentation:

1. A statement framing your reasons for applying to the programme, i.e. how attending the above selected course will benefit you and your practice  (500 words)
2. A recent CV
3. Certified transcripts of previous programmes followed
4. Certified copies of degree / certificates and/or other appropriate third level qualifications bearing the official stamp of the institution.
5. English Language Proficiency certificate 
   • This is only required if English is not your first language. 

You can see the full list of the English Language Qualifications NCAD recognises at this link. 

There is a fee of €600 for this programme. It is free to apply.

Apply by 31st August 2023 via NCAD HERE

CFA and Kilkenny Arts Office Bursaries:
Kilkenny Arts Office has joined forces with CFA to offer bursaries this Autumn to Kilkenny based artists seeking to gain new qualifications and skills to expand their practice. The bursaries range from €500 to a maximum of €2,000. Find out more HERE

CFA Scholarship:
A CFA scholarship encourages the participation of learners from sections of society that are significantly under-represented in higher education by offering one free place on all of our CFA short courses.
Find out if you are eligible to apply HERE 
Fill in the CFA@NCAD scholarship application form HERE

Programme Contact

Seoidin O’Sullivan: osullivans@staff.ncad.ie
Mark Clare: clarem@staff.ncad.ie

Admissions Contact

postgraduate@ncad.ie

Class of June-July 2023:

“I’ve been searching for a way to integrate my love and interest in the environment with my art practice beyond the traditional approach of direct visual representational art. This course really helped me to push my practice beyond that while staying true to my own working methods and creative process. As well as that, a collaborative and supportive environment was nurtured and encouraged throughout the course”

“The course exceeded my expectations and I feel that what we covered is just the tip of the iceberg. I can’t wait to explore everything we discussed and discovered together further”. 

“The lecturers’ enthusiasm, commitment and belief in this course was obvious and they made it a fruitful, diverse place of learning”