Stellenbosch offers a unique perspective to visual arts students: the intimate and supportive environment of an historical university town that is offset by the international, cosmopolitan and culturally diverse environment of central Cape Town, only 45 minutes drive away. The Department of Visual Arts occupies an historic, fully renovated building in oak-lined Victoria Street. With a new look unveiled in 2005, custom-designed studio and workshop spaces are offered for study streams in Fine Arts, Visual Communication Design and Jewellery Design, including an industry-standard new media computer lab. In keeping with developments in contemporary art and design, the department's ethos is multidisciplinary, supporting students working in all aspects of new media, including video and digital arts, as well as offering a solid foundation in traditional visual and applied arts practices.