Course Summary
The MA Art and Social Action is a postgraduate programme focused on trans-disciplinary practice and thinking that privileges collaborative approaches to production and creative approaches to social transformation, emphasising the capacity of arts practice to imagine our world differently.
College Link
Career Sectors
This course prepares you for working in the Career Sectors below. Follow the links to get a fuller understanding of the sectors you are preparing for.
Entry Requirements
All applicants are expected to present an approved Bachelor degree at minimum level of 2nd class honours (2.2)
Applicants who do not meet the minimum academic entry requirements may be considered on the basis of prior work or learning experience (RPEL). 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.
Essential Supporting Documents
A Statement of Interest - A Statement of Interest - 500 written words or a 2 minute video/audio file framing your reasons for applying to the programme.
A recent CV
Certified transcripts of previous programmes followed
Certified copies of degree / certificates and/or other appropriate third level qualifications bearing the official stamp of the institution.
Reference 1 (Academic - Head of School/Department preferred)
Reference 2 (Tutor or Current/Recent Employer)
Portfolio / Evidence of previous work:
Applications must be supported by documentation that best represents your practice.
Applicants are requested to upload a document via the online application with access to a portfolio/collection of documentation of your previous work. This document can include a link to an on-line portfolio or a link to a folder on Google Drive.
Whatever your background or discipline, we do require evidence of previous work undertaken. What you include will depend on your experience and background. Whether you are coming from a background in art, education, community work, theatre, dance, youth work, music, architecture, activism or other related areas, feel free to submit any material you feel showcases an aspect of your practice and skill-set that is relevant to the programme you are applying for.
We are open to reviewing written work, short video presentations, or any form of documentation of a project, including that which is theoretical or technical in nature. Some candidates may chose to describe projects they have been involved with in a "case study" format, eg. for the MA in Art and Social Action, you could consider writing or presenting a case study of a project you have been involved in, outlining the intentions, methods, approaches and challenges that were encountered and your role in the process.
There is no set requirement on the number of pages, images or projects that you share with us - this is up to each individual applicant.
Document Description
When uploading documents please make sure you clearly label them using the Description Box.
English Language Requirements
All programmes in NCAD are taught through English. International Applicants are asked to provide proof of their English Language Proficiency.
Application Details
Applications now open.
The priority deadline for receipt of applications to postgraduate programmes starting in Sept. 2024 is Friday 31st March 2024. Applications made by 31st March are guaranteed to be reviewed by NCAD. If you apply after this date, we may not be in a position to review your application.
There is an application fee of €55.00*
Start Date: Programme commences in September 2024.
Fees
Step 1: Click on "Application Weblink" below.
Step 2: Fill in your details
Step 3: Upload your Supporting Documents
- You can also submit your application even before you upload the necessary documents.
- You can not add new documents after you have submitted.
- Additional documents can be sent to [email protected] and we will upload them on your behalf.
Step 4: Pay the application fee & submit your application to NCAD
- If you are applying for multiple Postgraduate Programmes then you are only obliged to pay the application fee once.
*Complete your application as far as the fee payment page
*Click save + exit
*Email [email protected] and let us know you are ready to submit and we will submit the application on your behalf.
- NCAD Graduates are not required to pay the application fee.
*Complete your application as far as the fee payment page
*Click save + exit
*Email [email protected] and let us know you are ready to submit and we will submit the application on your behalf.
The Student
Career Interests
This course is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests. If these interests do not describe you, this course may prepare you for work you may not find satisfying.
Creative
Creative people are drawn to careers and activities that enable them to take responsibility for the design, layout or sensory impact of something (visual, auditory etc). They may be atrracted to the traditional artistic pursuits such as painting, sculpture, singing, or music. Or they may show more interest in design activities, such as architecture, animation, or craft areas, such as pottery and ceramics.
Creative people use their personal understanding of people and the world they live in to guide their work. Creative people like to work in unstructured workplaces, enjoy taking risks and prefer a minimum of routine.
Social
The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.
Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.
Career Progression
Although students may choose to develop projects which constitute a deep investigation of theories of social-engagement in art, it is expected that the large majority of students on the MA/ MFA programme will engage directly with different stakeholders to realise public projects. As such, the programme is committed to supporting the acquisition of skills required for successful professional practice in art as well as in related fields such as education, public programming in museums and galleries and community based arts.