Graduation for Workcentre’s first NZQA visual arts course
GB Workcentre’s visual arts students show off their certificates, from left, Tutor Melanie Walker, Arlo Jecis, Suzie Hall, Margy Meys, Kiley Nicholas, Holly Wayman. Absent participants: Brent Gibson and Debbie Buxton. Photo: Gerard Hindmarsh.
An exhibition and presentation of certificates at the Golden Bay Workcentre last Tuesday celebrated the graduation of the first two students from its Certificate in Foundation Studies Visual Arts (Level 3), the first time the centre’s visual arts programme has been delivered as a NZQA-approved course.
Over five terms, the students studied such diverse subjects as drawing, painting, computer graphics, harekeke weaving, craft design (which included visiting and working with local artists and craftspeople), career planning, goal-setting and time management. Upon completion they end up with 121 credits, which are registered on the National Qualifications Framework, and they get a nationally recognised certificate that is endorsed and approved by NZQA.
Kiley Nicholas, who has a background in nursing and no previous formal art training, said she enrolled in the course to learn more precise techniques.
“If anything, it’s made my own creative style emerge. I didn’t know what it was before I did the course. That’s been a valuable thing to learn.”
The Workcentre’s Visual Arts course is nationally moderated and in line with nationwide Level 3 standards, equivalent to year 13 (7th form). Visual arts tutor Melanie Walker said the course required hard work and five-day-a-week attendance commitment, but was not without its rewards.
“They end up with a certificate that qualifies them for possible further tertiary study in visual arts. It gives them a body of work to use as a portfolio, and it also gives them the confidence and understanding to set themselves up as practising artists or craftspeople.”
Melanie wrote the 78-page “proposed course of study” document back in 2008 that was submitted to NZQA. It covered aims, course content and outlines, justification of the proposed modes of delivery in relation to the target learning group, along with suitability of the delivery site. NZQA gave final approval to start in early 2009. Also approved was a Certificate in Art Craft and Studio Design Level 2, which involves less academic visual arts and more emphasis on design and working directly with craftspeople.
GB Workcentre manager Alli Gardener said the completion of the Visual Arts course by its first students was very significant for the centre as a learning provider.
“It represents a big upgrade in what we can deliver to adult students. And at the end of it they get something they can be really proud of. This one has been win-win all round and sits well alongside the other NZQA courses the Workcentre is delivering or has the capacity to deliver, like National Certificates in Computing, Mathematical Achievement and Employment Skills, along with a Foundation Certificate in Horticulture.”
Gerard Hindmarsh
