Fine Art
In this diploma you paint, draw, sculpt and experiment your way toward a personal visual language, guided by lecturers who are practising artists.
Diploma · NQF 6 · 360 credits
Ruth Prowse School of Art, Cape Town: create
anyway
Talent decides who belongs here, not circumstance. Portfolio-based admission since 1970.
About Ruth Prowse School of Art
Founded in 1970 by artist Erik Laubscher, Ruth Prowse School of Art opened during apartheid as one of the only non-discriminatory art schools in South Africa. The first students arrived in 1971. Over fifty years later, that founding belief still shapes every studio: talent decides who belongs here, not circumstance.
Today, RPSA sits on the Roodebloem Estate, a declared National Monument in Woodstock, one of Cape Town's most established creative districts. Students train across three accredited diploma programmes: Fine Art, Graphic Design and Jewellery Design, alongside a range of short and part-time courses. From the first week, students are making, not sitting through a year of theory before they are allowed to start. Lecturers are practising artists and designers who teach from their own working practice.
Create anyway.
Programmes
Full-time & part-time courses
Graphic Design
In this diploma you design brands, layouts and illustrations, building a professional portfolio guided by lecturers working across creative design today.
Diploma · NQF 6 · 360 credits
Jewellery Design
In this diploma you design and make jewellery in precious metals, from casting and stone setting to Rhino 3D, guided by practising jewellers and goldsmiths.
Diploma · NQF 6 · 360 credits
Our Philosophy
You learn by making
At Ruth Prowse School of Art, you learn by making. Every diploma is built around the studio bench: continuous practice, honest feedback and enough repetition to find your own voice. Lecturers mentor as much as they teach, and every one of them is a practising artist or designer, still doing the work, in real studios, across Cape Town.
- NQF Level 6 Accredited Diploma
- Portfolio-Based Admission
- Intensive Studio Environment
What's On
Recent Events
An artist and academic, Eunice Geustyn has been the Executive Head of the Ruth Prowse School of Art since 2002.
Preparing For The Future
Since 1970
Fifty years on, that means honest feedback, real materials, and lecturers who are still practising artists.
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Art Studios -
Library -
Jewellery Making -
Outside Classes -
Printing Studio -
Printing Classes -
Melting Classes
Our Lecturers
Meet the Studio
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James Labuschagne
Lecturer
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Lani Du Toit
Lecturer
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Stacy Beukes
Lecturer
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Lester Van Der Merwe
Lecturer
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Katharine Scharf
Lecturer
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Brett Lucks
Lecturer
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Colijn Strydom
Lecturer
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Eunice Geustyn
Executive Head
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Cecilia Solis
Lecturer
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Emma Minkley
Lecturer
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Ferdinand Kidd
Lecturer
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Paul Birchall
Lecturer
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Steve Adams
Lecturer
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Lynette Bester
Lecturer
2027 Registrations Now Open
Start Making Now
Portfolio-based admission, three accredited diploma programmes, one studio culture built on over fifty years of practice.
Blog & News
Read Our Latest News
Programmes
Registrations Are Open
Full-time diplomas in Fine Art, Graphic Design and Jewellery Design. Part-time study for students building a practice around work or family. Short courses for anyone testing the water before committing further. However someone arrives at Ruth Prowse, the door into the Studio is the same one: an application, a portfolio brief for those who need
Education
Talent Decides, Not Circumstance
RPSA was founded in 1970 as a non-discriminatory art centre, at a time when that was a deliberate choice. Over fifty years later, the same principle holds the school together: talent and willingness determine who belongs here, not circumstance. Full bursaries cover tuition, materials, transport and subsistence for students who qualify, funded by donors who
Programmes
Three Disciplines, One Studio Culture
Fine Art, Graphic Design and Jewellery Design each have their own bench, their own tools and their own rhythm. But they share a single culture: small classes, practising artists and designers as Lecturers, and a standard that does not bend to make anyone comfortable. Graduates move into brand identity, illustration, jewellery manufacture, fine art practice,
Programmes
Studio From Day One
Ask most students what a programme feels like and they picture lectures and slides.
