Visual Arts - nga toi

LEVEL 1 Visual arts

BIG IDEAS

Whakapapa - Visual Arts descends from, embodies, and creates forms of cultural expression

Curiosity, risk-taking, and critical thinking are integral to creativity in Visual Arts

Visual artmaking conventions enable artists to create cohesive and fluent artistic forms

Visual Arts communicates ahurea tuakiri and evokes responses

Whanaungatanga in Visual Arts builds sustainable communities

Taonga Tuku Iho - Visual arts is a medium to explore, discover, express and value te ao Māori

In the arts, students learn to work both independently and collaboratively to construct meanings, produce works, and respond to and value others’ contributions. They learn to use imagination to engage with unexpected outcomes and to explore multiple solutions. Studying arts subjects therefore helps to develop critical thinking and the ability to interpret the world around us. As students express and interpret ideas within creative, aesthetic, and technological frameworks, their confidence to take risks can increase. Visual Arts celebrates, fosters, and protects knowledge from the multitude of diverse cultures within Aotearoa New Zealand, including Māori and Pacific identities.

Working on long-term art projects is an opportunity for students to hone their self-management skills, which prepares them for more independent work at Levels 2 and 3, as well as life beyond school. Visual Arts learning is relevant for students who are studying a wide range of other subjects where attention to detail, creating and interpreting images, and critical thinking are all important skills.

Visual Arts and Design – Level 1 Students follow a course that is thematic and offers a diverse range of activities in three disciplines: painting, design and photography. Students will research artistic models (from Maori, Pacific and contemporary New Zealand Art, for example) and introduce these into their practical work. This course will help prepare students for the Level 2 Visual Arts courses in painting, design and photography.

Careers: All careers requiring a creative mind including as examples Advertising, Illustration, Animation, Gaming Industry, Art Historian, Teacher or Curator, Architecture, Design (including interior, landscape, industrial, textile, graphic design and fashion).

LEVEL 2 Visual arts

Please note: Three separate Art courses are on offer at Level 2 in 2024

Art Design (Digital) + Painting + Photography

Students may study more than one of the Arts Subjects at Level 2

Art Design (Digital) - Level 2

Students will complete a course of study in computer-generated art design, developing their own client brief and design solutions. Specific design conventions will be taught, using the programme Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator. Students will develop both visual design skills and thinking skills in the creation of original work, supported by the study of established design models. Students may complete an externally assessed portfolio. This is largely a practical course.

Assessment is for up to 20 Achievement Standard credits
(8 Internal, 12 External) at NCEA Level 2.

Careers: Graphic Design, Web Design, Advertising, Photography, Architecture, Design (interior, landscape, industrial, textile, graphic and fashion), teaching and any other area requiring a creative approach.

Painting - Level 2

Students will complete a course in Painting. Specific visual aspects of painting will be taught on an individualised basis. Students will develop both technical art skills and thinking skills in the creation of original work, supported by the study of established artist models. Students will complete an externally assessed portfolio. This is largely a practical course.

Assessment is for up to 20 Achievement Standard credits
(8 Internal, 12 External) at NCEA Level 2.

Photography - Level 2

Students will complete a course of study in Photography. Specific visual aspects of photography will be taught. Students will develop both technical art skills and thinking skills in the creation of original work, supported by the study of established artist models. Students will complete an externally assessed portfolio. This is largely a practical course.

It is recommended but not compulsory that students have access to their own digital camera if they choose to study photography.

Assessment is for up to 20 Achievement Standard credits
(8 Internal, 12 External) at NCEA Level 2.

LEVEL 3 Visual arts

Art Design - Level 3

University Entrance Approved Subject: Yes

Students will gain an understanding of the procedures and practices that underlie the making of graphic design pieces, including a logo, magazine spreads, posters and website for a client of the student’s creation. Students will learn how to use Adobe Photoshop to develop their design skills and create their own design pieces. A folio presented for external assessment shows the clarification of the design solutions created. This is largely a practical course.

A personal laptop would be a useful tool for this course and we would encourage students to invest in one, however the laptop is not essential for this course. The programs used are Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator although other open source programs are available online.

Assessment is for 22 credits (8 internal, 14 external) at NCEA Level 3.

Careers: Graphic Design, Web Design, Advertising, Photography, Architecture, Design (interior, landscape, industrial, textile, graphic and fashion), Teaching, and any other area requiring a creative mind.

Painting - Level 3

University Entrance Approved Subject: Yes

Students specialising in Painting at Level 3 can expect to pursue an individual investigation, developing an original body of practical work. The selection of subject matter and the appropriate methods or techniques are led by the student. Students are required to look at a range of artworks, including contemporary practice that can challenge and influence their own art making. An externally assessed portfolio showing the sequential development of work is submitted for assessment.

Assessment is for 22 credits (8 internal, 14 external) at NCEA Level 3.

Careers: Advertising, Illustration, Animation, Art Historian, Teacher or Curator, Architecture, Design (including interior, landscape, industrial, textile, graphic design and fashion), and any other area requiring a creative mind.

Photography - Level 3

University Entrance Approved Subject: Yes

This course deals with a range of photographic practice. Students will learn how to confidently use cameras and on the computer, Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom to create photographs. The course develops an understanding of procedures and practices that underlie the making of photographic images and the evaluation of photographs, as a method for the communication of ideas. A folio of photographs will be created showing an exploration of a student chosen subject and idea using photography. This is largely a practical course.

Students will benefit from access to a Digital SLR camera. The school has a limited number of cameras available to use.

Assessment is for 22 credits (8 internal, 14 external) at NCEA Level 3.

Careers: Photography, Photo-Journalism, Art Direction, Film Production or Direction, Architecture, Advertising, Design (interior, landscape, industrial, textile, graphic and fashion) and any other career requiring a creative mind.

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