Why Bachelor of Creative Arts?
Want to launch the next big festival? Become a headline act in the thriving arts and cultural industry.
Make the most of your studies in a city with a vibrant festival scene and a year-round calendar of cultural events. Learn in a place where people travel from across the country and the world to soak up the atmosphere our city and state has to offer.
Through our Bachelor of Creative Arts majoring in Festivals, you’ll explore the impact festivals have on our culture and community. You’ll build networks within the local and national arts scene and gain the skills you need to step into industry.
Get ready to make your mark in Australia’s ‘Festival State’ and beyond.
Overview
South Australia is often referred to as the ‘Festival State’ – and it’s no wonder why. We host world-renowned festivals like the Adelaide Fringe, Adelaide Festival and WOMADelaide. Our year-long calendar of arts and cultural events attracts audiences from across the globe.
Adelaide University’s Bachelor of Creative Arts majoring in Festivals is uniquely designed to engage with our state’s festival scene. You’ll have the opportunity to connect with leaders in the creative sector, building your professional network and experience.
Gain practical skills in event management, budgeting and curation of arts festivals. Explore broader concepts like the role festivals play in our community, society and culture.
Build professional, transferable skills through core creative arts courses, preparing you to work across a range of careers within the creative industries.
Pair your Festivals major with a second, complementary major aligned with your interests and career goals.
Key features
Study an industry-focused degree in Australia’s ‘Festival State’. - Connect with creative collaborators and join a thriving cultural community.
- Gain real-world professional experience.
- Boost your career prospects by pairing your Festivals major with a second, complementary major.
- Build valuable transferable skills that can be applied across any creative industry.
- Access creative spaces and contemporary facilities to collaborate with peers and bring your ideas to life.
What you'll learn
Through our Bachelor of Creative Arts majoring in Festivals, you’ll be immersed in Adelaide’s festival environment and develop an understanding of the value of a strong festival sector.
You’ll learn practical skills like festival curation, audience experience and volunteer and artist management.
You’ll evaluate the socio-cultural significance of contemporary festivals and the role they play in cultural development and social inclusion.
Throughout your studies, you’ll take courses in subjects including:
- Introduction to festivals
- Creative tourism: food, wine and festivals
- The Adelaide Festival experience
- Foundations of event management
- Festivals operations management
- Curation, performance and exhibition
- Eventful cities and event leveraging
- Film Festival cultures.
Common core courses form the backbone of your degree, where you’ll develop transferable skills like problem-solving, creative thinking and collaboration.
You’ll get hands-on experience working on a collaborative project in your second year. In your final year, you’ll build your industry knowledge and experience.
Majors
The Bachelor of Creative Arts is also available with majors in the following:
- Comicbook Creation
- Creative Industries
- Creative Writing
- Digital Media and Web Design
- Games Design and Production
- Immersive Media
- Performing Arts
- Screen Production.
In addition to your Festivals major, you can study a second, complementary major and boost your employment prospects across two specialist areas.
You can select your complementary major from any major study area offered through the Bachelor of Creative Arts, Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Media and Communication.
What courses you'll study
Complete 144 units comprising:
- 30 units for Core courses, and
- 96 units for 2 Majors from Majors, and
- 6 units for all Work integrated learning, and
- 12 units for Electives
Complete 30 units comprising:
- 18 units from Common core, and
- 12 units for all Program core
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Course name
An Ethically Rich Life
|
Course code
COREX001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Fact or Fiction: Data for Everyone
|
Course code
COREX002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Igniting Change: Ideas to Action
|
Course code
COREX003
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Proppa Ways, Future Practice
|
Course code
COREX004
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Responsible AI: Bridging Ethics, Education and Industry
|
Course code
COREX005
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Ways of Being, Ways of Seeing
|
Course code
COREX006
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Creative Worlds: Industries, Identities and Opportunities
|
Course code
CREA1000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Creative Solutions: Reimagining Projects
|
Course code
CREA2001
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
 |
Course name
Creative Worlds: Industries, Identities and Opportunities
|
Course code
CREA1000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Introduction to Festivals
|
Course code
HOSP3001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Creative Tourism: Food, Wine and Festivals
|
Course code
HOSP2005
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
The Adelaide Festival Experience
|
Course code
HOSP2003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Foundations of Event Management
|
Course code
HOSP1001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Creative Solutions: Reimagining Projects
|
Course code
CREA2001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Festivals Operations Management
|
Course code
HOSP2004
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 3 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Curation, Performance and Exhibition
|
Course code
CREA3000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Eventful Cities and Event Leveraging
|
Course code
HOSP3002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Creative Arts Professional Experience
|
Course code
CREA3901
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Film Festival Cultures
|
Course code
SOCI3001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
Complete 48 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Foundations of Event Management
|
Course code
HOSP1001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
The Adelaide Festival Experience
|
Course code
HOSP2003
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Festivals Operations Management
|
Course code
HOSP2004
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Creative Tourism: Food, Wine and Festivals
|
Course code
HOSP2005
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Curation, Performance and Exhibition
|
Course code
CREA3000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Introduction to Festivals
|
Course code
HOSP3001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Eventful Cities and Event Leveraging
|
Course code
HOSP3002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Film Festival Cultures
|
Course code
SOCI3001
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Creative Worlds: Industries, Identities and Opportunities
|
Course code
CREA1000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Introduction to Festivals
|
Course code
HOSP3001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Creative Tourism: Food, Wine and Festivals
|
Course code
HOSP2005
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
The Adelaide Festival Experience
|
Course code
HOSP2003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Foundations of Event Management
|
Course code
HOSP1001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Creative Solutions: Reimagining Projects
|
Course code
CREA2001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Festivals Operations Management
|
Course code
HOSP2004
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 3 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Curation, Performance and Exhibition
|
Course code
CREA3000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Eventful Cities and Event Leveraging
|
Course code
HOSP3002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Creative Arts Professional Experience
|
Course code
CREA3901
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Film Festival Cultures
|
Course code
SOCI3001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
Complete 6 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Creative Arts Professional Experience
|
Course code
CREA3901
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Creative Worlds: Industries, Identities and Opportunities
|
Course code
CREA1000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Introduction to Festivals
|
Course code
HOSP3001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Creative Tourism: Food, Wine and Festivals
|
Course code
HOSP2005
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
The Adelaide Festival Experience
|
Course code
HOSP2003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Foundations of Event Management
|
Course code
HOSP1001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Creative Solutions: Reimagining Projects
|
Course code
CREA2001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Festivals Operations Management
|
Course code
HOSP2004
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 3 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Curation, Performance and Exhibition
|
Course code
CREA3000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Eventful Cities and Event Leveraging
|
Course code
HOSP3002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Creative Arts Professional Experience
|
Course code
CREA3901
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Film Festival Cultures
|
Course code
SOCI3001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
Complete 12 units comprising:
- 12 units for all University-wide electives
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Creative Worlds: Industries, Identities and Opportunities
|
Course code
CREA1000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Introduction to Festivals
|
Course code
HOSP3001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Creative Tourism: Food, Wine and Festivals
|
Course code
HOSP2005
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
The Adelaide Festival Experience
|
Course code
HOSP2003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Foundations of Event Management
|
Course code
HOSP1001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Creative Solutions: Reimagining Projects
|
Course code
CREA2001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Festivals Operations Management
|
Course code
HOSP2004
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 3 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Curation, Performance and Exhibition
|
Course code
CREA3000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Eventful Cities and Event Leveraging
|
Course code
HOSP3002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Creative Arts Professional Experience
|
Course code
CREA3901
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Film Festival Cultures
|
Course code
SOCI3001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
Complete one Major from the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Comicbook Creation
|
Course code
COMIBCRAR
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Performing Arts
|
Course code
PERFBCRAR
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Creative Industries
|
Course code
CREIBCRAR
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Creative Writing
|
Course code
CREWBCRAR
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Digital Media and Web Design
|
Course code
DIGMBCRAR
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Games Design and Production
|
Course code
GAMEBCRAR
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Immersive Media
|
Course code
IMEDBCRAR
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Screen Production
|
Course code
SCRPBCRAR
|
Units
48
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Creative Worlds: Industries, Identities and Opportunities
|
Course code
CREA1000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Introduction to Festivals
|
Course code
HOSP3001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Creative Tourism: Food, Wine and Festivals
|
Course code
HOSP2005
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
The Adelaide Festival Experience
|
Course code
HOSP2003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Foundations of Event Management
|
Course code
HOSP1001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Creative Solutions: Reimagining Projects
|
Course code
CREA2001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Festivals Operations Management
|
Course code
HOSP2004
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 3 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Curation, Performance and Exhibition
|
Course code
CREA3000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Eventful Cities and Event Leveraging
|
Course code
HOSP3002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Creative Arts Professional Experience
|
Course code
CREA3901
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Film Festival Cultures
|
Course code
SOCI3001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
Career outcomes
Our creative arts degree gives you the creative licence to design your own career pathway.
Armed with strong entrepreneurial skills and a broad creative outlook, you’ll graduate ready to work across a range of sectors within the creative industries.
With a festivals major, you could pursue careers as a:
- Festival manager or director
- Event programmer or coordinator
- Exhibition coordinator
- Curator
- Volunteer coordinator
- Cultural liaison officer
- Community engagement officer
- Arts administrator.
By studying a second, complementary major as part of your degree, you could combine your expertise in festivals with another area and enhance your career prospects.
For example, by pairing your studies with a major in immersive media, you could explore new ways to experience festivals through virtual and augmented realities. Or with a creative industries major, you could advocate for the festival sector through cultural policy development.
Industry trends
The arts and cultural sector, along with tourism, events and hospitality, drive significant economic return to destinations on both a national and local level. A thriving cultural sector also has many benefits that are less easily measured – like promoting cultural understanding and enhancing community wellbeing.
With international travel, large-scale events and cultural festivals bouncing back after the COVID-19 pandemic, opportunities for work across these sectors continue to grow. Employment in arts and recreation services is predicted to increase by 11% over the coming decade, and demand for conference and event organisers is expected to grow by 13% (Jobs and Skills Australia, 2023).
Ready to apply?
Your study experience and support
Adelaide University sets you up for success in your studies – and your social life. You’ll have access to work placement and internship opportunities, overseas study tours and exchanges, networking events with guest speakers and more. Our campuses are equipped with purpose-built facilities including lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, and spaces that simulate real work environments. These are all supported by the latest technologies and a 24/7 online learning platform with personalised study information and resources.
You’ll have everything you need to live well and thrive during your studies, with health services on campus, gymnasiums, technology zones and modern student lounges. Get involved in campus sport or join our student clubs that will connect you to your passions – and the people who share them.
Adelaide also has a variety of accommodation options to suit your individual requirements and budget, with options ranging from dedicated student accommodation to private rentals. One of the world’s most liveable cities, Adelaide has lots of leafy parks, gardens and social hubs – and some of the highest living standards globally. No matter where you are in Adelaide, you’re only a short distance from beaches, vineyards, museums, art galleries, restaurants, bars and parklands. Visit the accommodation web page to find out more.
Student services
We’re here to support you on your student journey. Adelaide University offers a range of support services and facilities, including:
- Career advice and mentoring services
- Personal counselling
- LGBTQIA+ support
- Academic support
- Fees and finance help
- Security services
- Accommodation services
- Common rooms
- Prayer rooms.
You’ll also have unlimited access to our dedicated student support hub. Visit in-person or online, or contact our friendly team by phone. We can assist you with anything study-related including enrolment, identification cards, timetables, fees and more.
Your campus
You'll be studying at one of our renowned campuses, accessing cutting-edge facilities and contemporary study spaces.
Study hours
Your courses will require a combination of different learning formats, including lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Aside from your classes, you’ll also need to allocate additional time for independent study. This may include assignments, readings, projects and contributing to online discussion forums. As a rough guide, full-time studies may require 12-26 hours of class time and 14-18 hours of independent study per week.
Assessment
During your studies at Adelaide University, you’ll complete a mixture of practical, professional and research-based learning. Your assessment types will vary depending on the degree you’re studying, but may include:
- Case studies
- Essays and assignments
- Examinations
- Group projects
- Internships and placements
- Practicals
- Presentations
- Reports and project documentations
- Research projects
- Workplace and classroom contributions.
