In person
9
5 Jan 2026
NCAD
5 ECTS
AD486PC-1
6 weeks, Mondays PM
€600
The archive has become an important site of artistic enquiry over the last decade with compelling artworks being created in and with archives. Archives have provided resources for artists to engage with major historical themes as well as the question of who has been ignored or forgotten in this important zone of public memory. The archival exhibition now forms a mainstay of programming in arts institutions. Counter-archives are also in formation, often to contest lacunae in understanding.
In this series of classes, you will have opportunities to explore practical, conceptual and ethical issues raised by endeavour of making art in the archive. You will debate the merits of different artistic and curatorial practices and you will meet archivists who are charged with making materials in their care accessible.
Taught by Dr Sarah Pierce, an artist whose own practice is a substantial engagement with archives, this course will familiarize students with key archives in Dublin including NIVAL, the National Irish Visual Arts Library housed at NCAD.
This Professional Certificate has been designed for practicing artists as well as designers, research students and third level teachers who have an interest in the archive’s creative potential. It also provides excellent training for anyone planning to undertake an MRes or a PhD.
Classes will be focused on different aspects of creative practice in the archive from the creation of archives by artists to the use of community resources. The course will have a strong emphasis on collaboration and engagement with archival (both official and unofficial) materials.
High level research skills and critical understanding of research practices are vital skills for many artists and designers working today, as well as curators, arts writers and critics.
The professional certificate is also be an excellent foundation for a future research degree (MPhil, MLitt, MRes, PhD)
All applicants are expected to present an approved Bachelor degree at minimum level of 2nd class honours (2.2)
Candidates may be required to pass a qualifying examination set by the relevant department before being accepted to a Masters degree programme. Attendance at selected undergraduate lecture courses at NCAD, together with related written work may be prescribed.
You may apply for the programme if you are currently completing your Undergraduate Degree. NCAD will review the rest of your application If necessary, we can make you a Conditional Offer. When your degree is completed and you send us final transcripts we will upgrade this to a Full Offer.
Applicants who have not been educated through English must show proof of achieving IELTS 6.5 (with a minimum of 6 in the writing section on the Academic Version) or an equivalent score in another accepted test.
Find out more HERE
Duration: 6 x 3h classes – from 19 January to 2 March 2025 inclusive (no classes on 2 Feb)
Monday afternoons, 2-5pm
Format: onsite at NCAD and other venues in Dublin. Not available remotely.
There is a fee of €600 for this programme.
Places are limited. If the course fills sooner, applications will close/go to waitlist.
Apply via NCAD
(current NCAD students, please register using the course above)
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
Joanna Crawley crawleyj@staff.ncad.ie
David Crowley crowleyd@staff.ncad.ie
Sarah Pierce pierces@staff.ncad.ie
Image Credit: Installation view: Right by Banu Çennetoğlu, Self-Determination: A Global Perspective / IMMA, Dublin 2023 / Photo Ros Kavanagh. Link https://imma.ie/whats-on/self-determination-a-global-perspective/
Applicants to this course are eligible for Human Capital Initiative HCI Pillar 3 Micro-Credentials Subsidy funding. The subsidy for this course is 50% of the total course costs for eligible learners. Terms & Conditions apply.
HCI funding acceptance form is part of the NCAD registration survey for this programme.
Learners fill it out online in the MyNCAD portal AFTER they accept the offer and are then invited to register.
Payment (€600) is required upfront at registration. Once it is determined that the student qualifies for HCI, NCAD will then issue a refund for the amount covered by the funding.
