The Queensland College of Art and Design (QCAD), established as Brisbane School of Arts and formerly known as Queensland College of Art or (QCA) after other name changes, is a specialist visual arts and design college located in South Bank, Brisbane, and Southport on the Gold Coast of Queensland, Australia. Founded in 1881, the college is one of the oldest arts institutions in Australia, and has been part of Griffith University since 1991. It is co-located with the Queensland Conservatorium, the Griffith Film School, and the Griffith Graduate Centre.
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History
Early days and name changes
The college was founded as Brisbane School of Arts (in a now heritage-listed building) in 1881. Over the years it underwent a series of name changes, including Technical School of Visual Arts; the Art Branch within the Central Technical College; Seven Hills College of Art (1974); before being renamed Queensland College of Art (QCA) in 1983. It has also frequently been referred to by other sources as Queensland College of the Arts.
Merger with Griffith University
The college became part of Griffith University in the early 1990s.
QCAD (2024)
From 1 January 2024 it was officially renamed Queensland College of Art and Design (QCAD).
Description
The college is specialist visual arts and design college located within the South Bank parklands, along with the Queensland Conservatorium, the Griffith Film School, and Griffith Graduate Centre. The college delivers programs across both South Bank and Gold Coast campuses. At South Bank the focus is on Contemporary Australian Indigenous Art, Visual Arts, and Design. The Gold Coast campus focuses specifically on design degrees.
The Queensland College of Art and Design at South Bank campus is co-located with the Griffith University Art Museum (GUAM), formerly known as Griffith University Art Gallery (GUAG), as well as a collection of galleries known as the QCAD Galleries.
GUAM houses the Griffith University Art Collection, the second largest public art collection in Queensland. The museum organises exhibitions, educational and public programs, as well as conducting "research, teaching, publishing and dialogue among communities of Griffith University students, faculty, artists, scholars, alumni, and the wider public".
QCAD is within walking distance of QAGOMA, State Library of Queensland, and the Queensland Museum.
Galleries
There is a collection of galleries known as the Queensland College of Art and Design Galleries (QCAD Galleries) located on the campus. QCAD Galleries include:
(i) Webb Gallery
(ii) Grey Street Gallery
(iii) Project Gallery
(iv) PoP Gallery
(v) White Box Gallery
Courses
The college offers a range of degrees and qualifications, awarded by Griffith University, ranging from diplomas to doctoral studies. There are three main programs for undergraduates: Bachelor of Design (specialising in Product Design, Graphic Design and Interior Design), Bachelor of Visual Arts (specialising in painting, photography, sculpture, performance and installation) and the Bachelor of Contemporary Australian Indigenous Art (CAIA).
Notable people
Notable people associated with the college, past and present, include:
Alumni
Tony Albert
Robert Andrew
Jean Barth
Bianca Beetson
Anthony Bennett
Gordon Bennett
Peter Cooley (artist)
d harding
Megan Hess
Alexander Lotersztain
Carol McGregor
Tracey Moffatt
Dylan Mooney
Mandy Quadrio
Michael Zavros
Staff
Justene Williams, Head of Sculpture, Performance and Installation
Carol McGregor, Program Director (Contemporary Australian Indigenous Art)
Julie Fragar, Artist, Deputy Director (Research)
Sue Best, Art Historian
Frances Wildt Pavlu, Gold and Silversmithing Department
Jennifer Herd, convenor, both of the Bachelor Contemporary Australian Indigenous Art, 1993–2014