This interest in various aspects of visual culture, and not just the traditional 'fine arts', is reflected in the variety of approaches to the study of art history available within the Department. An important consequence of this pluralism is that students are encouraged to think about and assess the different ways in which visual artefacts are described and analysed. The Department has strong research and teaching interests in contemporary Australian art, critical theory and in popular culture, and is fostering a growth in interdisciplinary subjects within the Arts Faculty. The Department also offers Honours degrees,Postgraduate Diplomas in Arts, Masters degrees by thesis and PhD by thesis. The Art History Department has a particular commitment to the wider community.
Staff conduct regular radio broadcasts and produce reviews in the popular and art press.
We have recently implemented cross-institutional links with the Visual Arts Department, QUT and the College of Art, Griffith University. We have a strong and continuing commitment to work with members of the Institute of Modern Art, Flying Arts Inc., The Queensland Art Gallery, the Ipswich Art Gallery and, where feasible, with interstate galleries. We have ongoing input into the public programmes initiated by the University Art Museum. Our record of placing students in employment positions within art institutions both in Queensland and nationally is exceptionally good. We are a small Department and this allows us to maintain a close interest in our students' progress that is not always possible elsewhere in the University.