Student Stories
Finding a creative voice through Art & Social Practice
Meet UHI graduate Clarissa Tam and read about her experience studying MA Art & Social Practice remotely from Hong Kong, developing her artistic practice, building confidence and exploring new creative opportunities alongside full-time employment.
Studying for an MA in Art & Social Practice remotely from Hong Kong gave Clarissa Tam the confidence to develop an independent artistic practice while balancing full-time employment and life at home.
Over four years of part-time study with UHI, Clarissa explored the connections between art, social causes, environmentalism and community building, developing her own creative direction along the way.
Since beginning the course, she has built a sustained body of artwork, held a solo exhibition, led a workshop, created a website to showcase her practice and published a zine, with exciting opportunities for future collaborations already emerging.
The supportive teaching team and flexible approach to learning helped Clarissa grow in confidence, challenge her own self-doubt and discover new possibilities for her creative future.
Her advice to anyone considering postgraduate study? Keep an open mind and keep exploring.
From creative development to community impact: Eilidh Manson’s journey with UHI Shetland
Meet UHI graduate Eilidh Manson and discover how MA Art and Social Practice helped her develop her creative practice, grow community arts opportunities and explore new possibilities for her future.
Studying for an MA in Art and Social Practice with UHI Shetland helped Eilidh Manson develop her creative practice, build confidence and explore new opportunities in community arts, while continuing her work as a Visual Arts Tutor in North Lanarkshire.
Through the flexibility of online learning, Eilidh was able to balance her studies with employment and personal circumstances, putting what she learned into practice throughout the course. The creative development opportunities helped her move beyond delivering projects for others and focus on developing her own artistic practice.
As her studies progressed, Eilidh took on more Social Practice-focused projects, increased her success with funding applications and helped establish Project 42, a community group delivering visual arts activities and music lessons to families. In 2026, Project 42 gained charitable status, creating further opportunities for Eilidh to lead arts delivery and support graduates and volunteers in gaining experience.
The course also helped Eilidh prepare for a new artist-in-residence role focused on research, giving her the confidence and skills to explore new directions in her work.
Her advice to anyone considering postgraduate study? Choose something that inspires you and interests you, rather than doing something because you think you have to in order to progress.
