College of Creative Arts, Design and Humanities

Welcome to the College of Creative Arts, Design and Humanities

Adelaide University’s College of Creative Arts, Design and Humanities represents one of the most diverse creative and cultural academic portfolios in Australia.

Our foundation is built on a strong legacy of leadership in arts, culture and creativity, including the South Australian School of Art: one of the nation’s longest-running art schools, and home to the world’s first Bachelor of Design degree, and the Elder Conservatorium of Music, which continues to shape Australia’s musical talent.

With a focus on future creative and cultural innovators and leaders, our teaching offers a rich blend of theory and practice, underpinned by world-class research and external partnerships. Students engage in industry and community-connected learning, providing real-world experimentation and critical reflection. We collaborate with leading organisations, including Rising Sun Pictures, Adelaide Fringe, Channel 44 and the Helpmann Academy, to help students develop industry-relevant skills and professional networks. Creative and cultural exploration is nurtured through our on-campus studios, workshops and performance spaces, equipping students with the knowledge and skills to shape culture and make meaningful impact.

Our unique on-campus galleries and museums including the Architecture Museum, SASA Gallery, Samstag Museum of Art and MOD. serve as vibrant hubs for inspiration, discovery and community connection.

You can make it here

Students create and learn in our purpose-built studios, workshops and performance spaces, which feature industry-standard equipment, tools and software for hands-on, immersive practice.

Industry-connected learning

Build real-world experience through industry placements, mentorships, masterclasses and projects. We collaborate with innovative and ethical organisations to ensure our graduates are career and world-ready.

Explore the college

Our study areas Our study areas
Our research Our research
Our people Our people
Engage with us Engage with us
Our facilities Our facilities

Express your creativity and shape culture with our degrees, which connect critical thinking, storytelling, and real-world creative and cultural practice.

Our schools

Our diverse portfolio of creative arts, design and humanities programs are housed across five dynamic schools:

Elder Conservatorium of Music and School of Performing Arts

Shaping visionary artists since 1898, with programs spanning music, musical theatre and the performing arts - empowering graduates for careers in the global entertainment industry.

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School of Architecture and Built Environment

Committed to shaping the future of our cities and communities through innovative thinking, design and research, with degrees in architecture - including interior and landscape architecture - and urban and regional planning.

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School of Art and Design

Building on the foundation of the South Australian School of Art, birthplace of the world’s first design degree, the school is a leader in art and design education, shaping diverse creative career pathways in the fine arts, design (graphic, industrial), visual effects, digital media, and illustration and animation.

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School of Communication, Media and Journalism

Equipping future storytellers and media professionals with the skills to inform, engage and influence in a rapidly evolving landscape. Degrees span media and communication, journalism, film and television and immersive media.

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School of Humanities

Dedicated to exploring the human experience through disciplines that challenge perspectives and inspire thoughtful dialogue, with the freedom to choose from a series of majors through degrees including the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Creative Arts.

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Shaping the future through arts, culture and creativity

Our degrees empower students to imagine new possibilities, challenge conventions, and contribute meaningfully to society. Through critical thinking, cultural insight and creative expression, you will gain the skills to lead with empathy, innovate across disciplines, and shape a more inclusive and dynamic future.

Real-world experiences

Our strong industry and community partnerships provide you with:

Internships and mentorships
Industry and community-based projects
Masterclasses and guest lectures
Opportunities to build professional networks and skills for the workplace.

Create, explore and reflect in purpose-built facilities, including:

An on-campus Virtual Production and TV studio
Radio station and podcasting suites
Theatre and performance spaces
Studios for glassblowing, ceramics, painting, 3D printing and more.

By the time you graduate, you’ll have a professional portfolio that showcases your creative identity, technical skills and real-world know-how.

Our scope

Our research explores how creativity and culture are made, valued and experienced. Our research questions how creative and cultural practices respond to industry and societal needs, and in doing so shape the world around us. By sparking curiosity and igniting imagination through a variety of research methodologies and methods - including creative practice, design thinking, critical theory, and Indigenous ways of knowing - we aim to expand knowledge, enrich lives and contribute to a more vibrant, artistic, equitable and inclusive future. Whether you're looking to address social or cultural challenges, explore new creative directions or contribute to thought leadership, we welcome collaboration.

Our research

Our research spans the following research centres:

Creative People, Products and Places Research Centre (CP3)

The Creative People, Products and Places Research Centre (CP3) is internationally recognised for undertaking high-quality humanities and creative practice research into culture and creativity.

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J.M. Coetzee Centre for Creative Practice (JMCCCP)

The J.M. Coetzee Centre for Creative Practice is devoted to understanding creativity, and is a cultural hub where leading literary, musical and multimedia scholars and artists can learn from one another.

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Mobile Language Team (MLT)

The Mobile Language Team supports the preservation and revitalisation of Aboriginal languages through community-led, culturally respectful research and engagement. Guided by principles of transparency, recognition, and community, they work in partnership with Aboriginal communities to document, maintain, and protect language and cultural heritage materials.

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Centre for Aboriginal Studies in Music (CASM)

The Centre for Aboriginal Studies in Music is the only devoted university-based centre for studies in Australian Indigenous music. Part of the Elder Conservatorium of Music, it has a dedicated university entry program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and works with Indigenous musicians through creative practice research projects that connect with Country and community.

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Our researchers also contribute to the following centres and concentrations:

The Australian Research Centre for Interactive and Virtual Environments (IVE), which leads augmented and virtual reality research, combining computer science, engineering, neuroscience, design, and creativity.
The Australian Centre for Housing Research (ACHR), which brings together researchers, policymakers, industry and advocates to create housing solutions that work, to inform policy, guide practice and improve lives.
The National Enterprise for Rural Community Wellbeing (NERCW) - which builds resilient rural communities by co-designing targeted interventions to address environmental, economic and health stressors.
The Environment Institute, which brings together more than 100 researchers from all six colleges in Adelaide University, focused on the conservation, management and restoration of ecosystems and natural resources in natural, production and urban landscapes to underpin environmental and social sustainability.
The Centre for Research in Education and Social Inclusion (CRESI), which contributes new knowledge about issues related to educational and social inclusion, with a mission to inform inclusive educational and social policy and practices across the lifespan.
The Higher Education Research Network (HERN), which brings together diverse researchers, educators and partners to advance higher education outputs, and translate research into impact that shapes practices and understandings at institutional, national and international levels.

Adelaide University’s Signature Research Themes

Adelaide University delivers transformative research across five signature research themes.

Creative & Cultural
Food, Agriculture & Wine
Defence & National Security
Sustainable Green Transition
Personal & Societal Health

Adelaide University is also proud to support an institution-wide Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research Strategy.

Our researchers work across multiple themes, with major strengths in the Creative and Cultural Signature Research Theme. In this area of focus, we build on Adelaide’s reputation as a cultural capital, home of design, festivals, and the broader creative and cultural industries. We partner on research with our many leading cultural institutions, and we aim to be global leaders in First Nations-led creative and cultural research.

Discover our research degrees

Deepen your expertise in a specialised area, contribute to shaping the creative and cultural industries, and drive innovation by undertaking a PhD, Master of Philosophy, or Master of Research.

Find out more about our research degrees and how we translate discovery into meaningful change.

Research with us

College of Creative Arts, Design and Humanities

Professor Craig Batty

Pro Vice Chancellor, College of Creative Arts, Design and Humanities

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Ms Sam Goodred

Executive Director, College of Creative Arts, Design and Humanities

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Associate Professor Jodie George

Dean, Academic

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Associate Professor Luke Dollman

Dean, International and External Engagement

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Professor Anna Sullivan

Interim Dean, Research

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Associate Professor Kathryn Bowd

Dean, Students

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Our schools

Associate Professor Stephen Ward

Dean, School of Architecture and Built Environment

Contact Visit school webpage

Associate Professor Veronika Kelly

Dean, School of Art and Design

Contact Visit school webpage

Associate Professor Elizabeth Ellison

Dean, School of Communication, Media and Journalism

Contact Visit school webpage

Professor Anna Goldsworthy

Dean, Elder Conservatorium of Music and School of Performing Arts

Contact Visit school webpage

Professor Andrew van der Vlies

Dean, School of Humanities

Contact Visit school webpage

Thinking/Making: Creative and Cultural Exhibitions and Events

Experience this vibrant program of graduating student-led creative and cultural exhibitions and events from across our Schools — Art and Design, Humanities, Communication, Media and Journalism, Architecture and Built Environment, and the Elder Conservatorium of Music and School of Performing Arts.

This year’s Thinking/Making program offers something for everyone, from industry events to music theatre productions, classical and jazz performances, a visual effects (VFX) showcase, film and television screenings, and a range of student-led exhibitions and showcases.

Explore outstanding work from our students in Art and Design, including graphic and communication design, industrial design, fine art, illustration, and animation; and Architecture and Built Environment, including interior and landscape architecture.

Browse our events and exhibitions to support emerging talent and connect with some of South Australia’s most inspiring creative and cultural minds.

See upcoming events

Thinking/Making: Creative and Cultural Exhibitions and Events

How to partner with us

Let’s get creative together

Industry partnerships and creative collaboration are at the heart of what we do. We work with industry, cultural organisations and communities to co-create meaningful experiences that enrich student learning and spark innovation. These partnerships take many forms — internships, placements, exhibitions, residencies, guest lectures and research projects — ensuring our students and staff engage with real-world challenges and opportunities.

Access emerging talent

Our students and graduates are the next generation of cultural leaders, creative innovators and changemakers. Through fresh perspectives and diverse thinking, they bring energy and insight to every collaboration. By partnering with us, you’ll not only access emerging talent — you’ll also help shape it to meet the evolving needs of industry and society.

Our partnerships and collaborations are where ideas find their shape and creativity helps to forge a brighter future.

Our facilities include:

Australia’s only Architecture Museum
A dynamic hub of research into South Australia’s architectural and built environment history utilising its research collection of architects’ and allied professionals’ records.

SASA Gallery
A student-focused and cutting-edge industry engagement space that exhibits the work of graduating students and researchers.

Samstag Museum
South Australia’s largest contemporary art museum.

Ceramics workshop
Home to potter’s wheels, and a glazing and kiln room.

Computer Generated Imagery (CGI) lab
Equipped with visual effects software including Maya, Nuke, Houdini and Adobe Creative Cloud.

Design studios
Dynamic engagement spaces for working and exhibiting student projects and prototypes throughout the year and Graduating Exhibitions.

Digital workshop
Specialised digital equipment including 3D printers and a resin-based printer.

Drawing and painting studios
Containing easels and drawing desks so you have the space to create.

Glass studios
With facilities for glass blowing, casting, and sandblasting.

Jewellery and metal workshop
Equipped with tools for soldering, annealing, moulding and polishing heavy duty materials.

Lighting studio
For experimenting with different lighting techniques in photography.

Production workshop
A fully equipped woodshop with table saws, router, bandsaws and more.

Photography dark rooms
For processing film in colour or black and white.

Printmaking workshop
For a range of printmaking processes including relive printing, intaglio printing and screen printing.

TV and virtual production studio
Where nationally broadcast shows are filmed.

Green screen
One of the largest green screens in South Australia.

Digital Radio Studio
Where students can record, produce, and broadcast live radio.

Sound Studio
Featuring an isolation room, control room, and live performance room.

Adelaide Lab for Immersive Technologies
Aresearch lab which blends expertise across immersive technology, computer science, visual arts, and engineering to produce technological innovation, available for selected students.

Museum of Classical Archaeology
The largest collection of artefacts from ancient Greece and Rome in South Australia.

Practical spaces
Dedicated rehearsal, recording, and performance spaces, including digital audio laboratories.

Contact us

College of Creative Arts, Design and Humanities

Location

Adelaide University
Level 3 Kaurna Building
Adelaide City Campus West

Email: PVC.CADH@adelaide.edu.au