Contemporary art allows you to bring your creative concepts to life. You can explore a range of artistic disciplines and develop concepts regardless of your previous art education. You learn how to interpret your own ideas and those of others, how to problem-solve through art, and expand your conceptual thinking.

Elam School of Fine Arts has a range of technical and digital workshops to support your making. Elam staff are internationally successful artists and researchers who are committed to developing New Zealand art.

You are able to choose from the following to complete your doctoral study, depending on your research preferences.

1. Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

The traditional PhD thesis is a formal piece of advanced research, with a final examined thesis of up to 100,000 words. Your thesis serves as a contribution to the field of contemporary art research on both a local and international level. To find out more about the programme structure, entry requirements and start dates, visit Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).

2. PhD including Scholarly Creative Work

You can also consider completing your PhD including Scholarly Creative Work. This allows you to submit an exhibition or performance as examinable work alongside a thesis of up to 60,000 words. There are some specific guidelines around the admission requirements relating to the amount of writing in your Master of Fine Arts (MFA), as well as the timing of the examination for creative works. Studio space may be available when relevant to the proposed project. To find out more about this option, visit PhD including Scholarly Creative Work.