Albany Senior High School/Coursebook/3PAI

What is this course about?
The first part of the course, i.e.term one, is teacher directed. You will be given a series of tasks which encourage you to generate, develop and clarify pictorial ideas. You will be encouraged to explore a variety of drawing media and paint media, alongside a range of visual options and possibilities. You will be required to establish good knowledge and understanding of a range of established artist models to support and develop your own art practice. The second part of the course is an individually structured programme where students will generate their own individual painting proposal in preparation for a three board folio of work. You will work closely with the teacher for guidance with the expectation that you will continually show and discuss your work openly and maturely.

What will I learn?
The emphasis is on your chosen investigation and proposal and you develop your ideas based on this conceptual and creative process. It is really important that you learn to generate, develop, unpick and regenerate your ideas through analysis and critical thinking, and be able to articulate both visually and orally what your intent is. You will be encouraged to understand how to synthesise your ideas to bring your work to a point of resolution. You need to take a mature approach to Year 13 painting and think critically to determine an in depth analysis of pictorial and conceptual concerns. This takes courage and in turn, you will learn to take calculated risks with your art practice.

What sorts of things will I do?
The boundaries of painting are fluid and they are fused together with drawing, multi-media work, photography, and sculpture. You will have the freedom to explore different avenues if you are systematic and well organised in your planning processes. A journal will be kept that documents your thinking and working process. Through the study of artist model works and gallery visits you will enhance your understanding of painting. You will need to be a motivated student who asks questions and extends your ideas through exploration of paint and other art media to develop pictorial and conceptual concerns. You will be encouraged to participate in group critiques and be an active member of this course through peer assessment. Self motivation and consistent work habits are the key to your success.

Scholarship opportunities
Scholarship involves two components: the workbook and the portfolio,(i.e.AS 90667 - 14 credits) and together they inform each other. The workbook and portfolio should articulate visual and conceptual arguments to form a body of exploratory and investigative work which clearly show evidence of the generation, development, analysis, clarification, synthesis and re-generation of the chosen theme. The work should show evidence of on-going decision making, evaluation and in-depth exploration and research of ideas. The workbook consists of eight A3 sized pages only. The research and thinking evident on these pages is marked under three specific assessment criteria, - analysis, communication and synthesis.

Do I need to have taken Year 11 and 12 Visual Arts?
It is expected that students will have undertaken visual arts in Year 11 and 12. These two years are the foundation years where students grasp the necessary technical, creative thinking and conceptual skills that are much needed otherwise students will find this course challenging.

What teritary courses could I go to?
Unitec, Whitecliff, AUT, University of Auckland, University of Canterbury and Massey University to name a few all offer courses involving the Arts. Whether graphic design, animation, photography and media art, arts therapy, fashion design or product and furniture design, Year 13 art will be a building block towards your future career.

Go to this website for further information. http://www.ehow.com/about_5435437_design-art-colleges-new-zealand.html