Art & Design Courses in Auckland, New Zealand

Whitecliffe College Of Arts and Design, Auckland:
Looking for creative choice, challenges, motivation and space to grow? Whitecliffe College of Arts and Design, New Zealand's leading dedicated arts and design institution, offers stimulating pathways into arts and design careers for domestic and international students. With our 25th Anniversary in 2007, we can offer renowned undergraduate arts and design education in the areas of fine arts,graphic design, fashion design,and photography, film and video. With postgraduate options of arts therapy, arts administration and fine arts.

We offer the following art and design courses in Auckland, New Zealand:

Foundation Studies:
Left school and working hard? If you haven't studied at tertiary level before or tried arts and design before, check out the Certificate of Arts and Design (Foundation).

This Certificate provides the chance to explore your potential in arts and design through a practical studio-based programme. You gain the confidence to step beyond your boundaries while learning basic art skills. Developing an extensive portfolio you can use when applying for higher levels of study such as the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) is the aim.

Guidance:
The course provides an opportunity to experiment and learn under the practical guidance of dedicated art lecturers who encourage students to develop skills over a range of mediums in order to express themselves. Successful students will achieve an arts qualification and portfolio through the Foundation Certificate. Life experiences often enrich a students ability to interpret assignments and produce work in unique and varied ways. This Foundation Certificate enables them to develop a portfolio and experience what it is like to become part of the arts community at Whitecliffe College.

Programme Content:
All students must complete Introduction to Design, and Introduction to Drawing and Painting, as well as an Orientation Workshop and Folio Preparation Workshop. Students also select elective modules from a range of disciplines. Students learn to critique each others works. Students are expected to spend 25 to 30 hours at Whitecliffe each week, followed by 5 to 10 hours of work at home. Class sizes are limited to a maximum of 20 students per class so that lecturers can offer personalised student contact and critique.

Folio:
By the end of the 18 weeks, every student is required to exhibit a folio of studio work. Although successful completion of the Certificate of Arts & Design (Foundation) does not guarantee automatic admission into the Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree programme, it does enhance the students chances of continuing to a more advanced level.

One Year Foundation Bridging Programme:
In our Bridging Programme students can study a Certificate of Arts & Design (Foundation) giving them a professional artist portfolio (which can be used to gain entry into further tertiary study in Arts and Design) and also gain assistance with English language skills, through their choice of one of our partnership schools.

As a full year programme, students will have classes at Whitecliffe once a week while completing their English tuition for the first half of the year, then plunge into full time Arts and Design study.

All students will be acknowledged as Whitecliffe students with a variation of condition on their Visas*. Having completed our course students can apply using their portfolio for our Bachelor of Fine Arts. Our four year Bachelor of Fine Arts degree specializes in fine arts, graphic design, fashion design and photography, film and video. Professional business education, contextual studies and an internship programme complete the toolbox of artistic and entrepreneurial opportunity at Whitecliffe.

This 12-Month programme will provide you with the opportunity to develop the necessary English language skills and artistic skills to put degree-level study within your reach.

At Whitecliffe you will be able to experiment and learn under the practical guidance of dedicated art lecturers who encourage students to develop skills over a range of mediums in order to express themselves. Successful students will achieve an arts qualification and portfolio through the Certificate of Arts & Design (Foundation). Life experiences often enrich a students ability to interpret assignments and produce work in unique and varied ways. The Certificate of Arts and Design (Foundation) will enable you to develop a portfolio and experience what it is like to become part of the arts community at Whitecliffe.

Folio:
By the end of the Whitecliffe programme, you are required to exhibit a folio of studio work. Although successful completion of the Certificate of Arts and Design (Foundation) does not guarantee automatic admission into the Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree programme, it does however, enhance your opportunities of continuing to a more advanced level of tertiary study. You should contact the International Student Liaison Officer to obtain specific details about overseas applications.

Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) Degree Course:
Students have the opportunity to experience all areas of specialisation offered at Whitecliffe in Year One before moving into their chosen specialist areas in Year Two. Specialist study is supported at every level by theoretical and professional practice papers. Students are encouraged to exhibit to develop professional skills of planning, executing and presenting work within a critical environment. The programme's philosophy is to combine creative research skills with solid awareness of the public and professional requirements of visual arts professions. It's a liberating, exciting and challenging way to learn.

Teaching:
Lecturers are practicing artists, designers, administrators, therapists, educators and researchers who bring with them their expertise, networks and experience. They are skilled at tapping into student creativity to nurture and expand knowledge and ability. As part of our encouragement of careers in the arts, Whitecliffe also provides comprehensive professional grounding in areas such as business, marketing and ethics.

Small class sizes mean lecturers and students interact at a personal level on a daily basis. This close-knit relationship further enhances learning and the exchange of ideas and knowledge.

Entry Requirements:
NCEA University Entrance or equivalent CIE/IB award (preferably including practical art and/or design and English). Discretionary Entrance is available to students who have gained exceptional marks in NCEA Level 2/Year 12 and wish to embark on higher level study. These students must display a high level of motivation and maturity. Students who do not meet these requirements are advised to undertake the Foundation Certificate in preparation for application to the BFA programme.

Domestic Students must be at least 17 years of age during their first year of study

International Students must turn 18 during their first year of study with a minimum IELTS level of 6.5 (unless they enter the Alternative BFA Year One)

Portfolio

(Some of the above requirements may be waived for students over 20 years of age)

Master of Fine Arts Degree Course:
The Whitecliffe Master of Fine Arts (MFA) is ideal for practising artists, designers and educators looking to up-skill and develop artistically. The MFA is structured to allow students to energise their creativity while maintaining professional commitments. The two-year, low-residency MFA is on offer to students with demonstrated (not just potential) commitment and ability who are currently engaged in creative production. The MFA requires dedication to self-directed learning and continuing professional development. The first semester establishes studio practice, research skills and supervisor relationships.

Studio:
To gain entry into Studio Research, students must present a preliminary body of visual work and an academic research paper examining theoretical issues relevant to their studio practice. The Studio Research course requires students to prepare a comprehensive body of work for exhibition and present a formal academic dissertation. Students work closely with individually-selected and Whitecliffe-approved studio research supervisors who are often senior artists working in the student's local community. Students keep in touch with lecturers and other students through online communication. Computer and Internet access is essential.

Seminars:
New Zealand students are required to attend four one-week seminars a year, which coincide with New Zealand school holidays. It is possible for international students to consolidate seminars into two two-week seminars a year. These can include language support classes, cultural experiences and individual learning opportunities. The Auckland-based seminars provide the theoretical and practical backbone of the programme and provide opportunities for formal and informal critique of students' work by Whitecliffe faculty, visiting international and national artists and fellow students.

Programme:
Seminar topics include studio research methods, visual and critical performance, research theory, practice and ethics, critical theory and the contemporary cultural context designed to build a community of artists and scholars.The Master of Fine Arts Degree has been approved and accredited by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) under the provisions of the Education Act 1989.

Master of Arts in Arts Administration Degree Course:
Artist, entrepreneur, intellectual, manager, social worker, politician; an arts manager requires multiple skills. The enormous growth in arts companies and organisations with paid administrators in New Zealand over the last 20 years has developed an ever-increasing need for professional arts managers. Traditionally arts managers tend to fall into two categories; those with a business background and those who are, or have been artists and wish to develop their business skills. Whitecliffe's Master of Arts degree in Arts Administration provides a much needed bridge between art and commerce.

Knowledge:
The programme develops theoretical knowledge and professional skills from the perspective of the arts and is directed towards people with interests in areas such as theatre, film, visual arts, dance, music, design, galleries, community arts, and council or government arts organisations and arts management. The Whitecliffe Master of Arts in Arts Administration (MAAA) is a low-residency programme that requires attendance at 17 intensive weekend seminars, plus a substantial amount of independent course work scheduled in the students' own time. Students can continue in their employment, but must schedule release time as needed - keeping in touch with lecturers and other students through online communication. A computer and Internet access are essential.

Attendance:
The MAAA programme includes monthly weekend seminars with high calibre guest speakers from industry, tutorials and discussion groups. The programme also involves independent study courses, internships based on field experience and written research projects. During the first three semesters, students complete six compulsory courses. In their fourth semester students select from a group of self-directed research electives.

Seminars:
A student's course of study includes seminars and supervisor contact and may include work-related experience, independent research, industry case studies, interviews, readings and assignments.

The two-year Masters of Arts in Arts Administration has been approved and accredited by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) under the provisions of the Education Act 1989.

Master of Arts in Arts Therapy Degree Course:
Creative expression, which is the basis of arts therapy, can have a significant impact on the healing process. Creative therapists enjoy rewarding careers in a variety of therapeutic settings in mental health environments, prisons and the community. Working through art, they help people with trauma, addictions and psychological or emotional issues. The Whitecliffe low residency Master of Arts in Arts Therapy (MAAT) programme develops the theoretical knowledge and professional skills utilised within the field. Students work as an artist or arts therapist within a range of arts, including visual arts, drama, music, dance movement and writing.

Philosophy:
The course offers two ways of working with groups of people and individuals using the arts. The first, arts access or art as therapy, follows the philosophy that art is beneficial for all people and involves artists offering their experiences, skills and enthusiasm to people who would not otherwise have access to the arts. The second, art in therapy or art psychotherapy, follows the philosophy that the arts have the potential to heal, particularly in the area of psychological health such as post-traumatic stress.

Seminars:
Whitecliffe Master of Arts in Arts Therapy requires attendance at 17 intensive weekend seminars, plus a substantial amount of independent course work. Students are free to continue in their employment, but must schedule release time as needed. Computer and Internet access are essential because communication with lecturers and other students is maintained online.

Programmes:
The MAAT weekend seminars include guest speakers, tutorials, discussion groups and experiential workshops. The programme also involves case studies, supervised contact with clients and written research projects undertaken in the student's home location. During their first three semesters students complete six compulsory courses. In their fourth semester, students select from a group of self-directed research electives. Research can include work-related experience.

The Master of Arts in Arts Therapy has been approved and accredited by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) under the provisions of the Education Act 1989.

Master of Arts in Arts Therapy (Clinical) Degree Program:
An additional clinical year is offered to students who successfully complete the requirements of the two year Master of Arts in Arts Therapy programme AND meet the requirements for entry into the third year. Students who successfully complete the additional clinical year will graduate with a Master of Arts in Arts Therapy (Clinical) degree.

The clinical year may also be offered to students from other institutions who hold a Master's degree in a related field and who have significant arts therapy experience.

The clinical year (Year Three) supports students to further experience, research, practice and develop their own approach to working as an Arts Therapist based on their preferred theoretical perspective. Students are encouraged to develop skills that are transferable to many settings, and to develop a flexible and creative approach in order to be able to adapt to varied and changing work circumstances.

The third year of the Master of Arts in Arts Therapy (Clinical) course is a full time programme of study, at Level 9 on the National Qualifications Framework, delivering 120 credits, where 1 credit = 10hrs learning time. Learning hours include both directed and self directed study as is appropriate for this level and include direct contact time, student placement, supervision, studying, preparing and presenting assignments, as well as the time spent in assessment.