Applications are Now Open for September 

Duration- 4 Weeks 
Credits- 5
NFQ Level- 9
Contact hour- The programme will run from the 7th September to 28th September. This will entail 3 immersive days followed by 1 half day per week. 

The programme works directly with an urban embedded novel ecology of the NCAD FIELD site, which acts as an outdoor classroom, a site for nature connection, 'commoning', and a testing site for multi-species futures.

By connecting to the site and its seasonal activity, learners can explore and enact nature/culture connections, expanding their research, creative making, and critical thinking skills in meaningful and liveable ways. The course also explores the social, political, economic, and historical issues that frame the ecology of the surroundings. Practitioners will expand, develop, and question their practices using the NCAD FIELD as a testing site and shared learning space.

If you’re interested in pursuing a career in contemporary art with a focus on ecology or are simply passionate about exploring the intersections of these fields, this programme is a great place to start. Apply now to gain a deep understanding of the relationship between art and ecology and develop the skills necessary to create meaningful and impactful works in this exciting field.

What to expect?

This module introduces learners to fundamental principles, working methods, skills and theories relating to Intersections of contemporary art with ecology and other epistemic disciplines for ‘knowing our environment’. NCAD FIELD and the broader Liberties area will be the location for this work.

Together with more formal modes of presentation which will offer a broad contextual understanding, special emphasis will be placed on ‘learning through doing’ in a series of workshops and situated environmental learning. To this end a series of ‘Principles’ have been identified which will be introduced within the module. These terms will be tested by the learners to see how they pragmatically fit context, action and encounter over the course of the modul

This will contribute to the collective work to appraise the FIELD as a Novel Ecology in place of being zoned as brownfield or derelict space. As well as creating a database for the FIELD to further research and understanding, this survey is framed as a training in observation, care and attention to a site. This combination of theory and practice lays a foundation for follow on modules (see below). 

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 centered in the programme pathway.

Course work is plotted onto seasonal and environmental time. Creative Principles will be initiated on the 7th of September and will run over 4 weeks on Thursdays. Follow up modules will be plotted onto the following Spring and Summer.

Student testimonials (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”