Visual Arts

Welcome to Fine Art

About the Department

At New College Pontefract we have an outstanding art department that offers a wide range of specialist Art and Design A level and BTEC courses, including Fine Art, Textiles and Art and Design (unendorsed), we also offer a Foundation Diploma in Art and Design, ideal for students considering a career within the Art and Design. These courses are taught by subject specialists and allow students to develop work in their own area of interest. Many students thinking of a creative career often work across two or three of these specialisms as they develop their ideas and creative identity. Many students go on to Art and Design related courses post-18 including NCP's Foundation course, as well as direct entry onto degree courses such as Fine Art, Textile Design, Fashion Design, Graphics and Advertising, Photography, 3D, Multimedia, Architecture, Product Design, and Illustration.

Visual Arts course Information:

A-levels - we have two A-level courses A-level Fine Art and A-level Textiles

Exam Board: EDUQAS
Pass Rate: 100%
Assessment: 100% Coursework Linear

Entry Requirements:

A LEVEL FINE ART: Grade 4 English Language and 6 in a creative subject or merit in BTEC (if studied)

A LEVEL TEXTILES: Grade 4 English Language and 5 in a creative subject or a merit at BTEC (if studied)

There is also the option to study a BTEC Subsidiary Diploma in either Fine Art or Textiles please visit https://ncpontefract.ac.uk/subject-specific-requirements/ for more details.

Structure of the A-level courses:

Student comments about the courses...

"The course is even better than i originally thought as we do more than just drawing, painting and photography."

"I have more creative freedom and able to explore my own and new ideas."

"The course gives an in-depth look at art in all its forms, helping expand my knowledge of various artistic techniques and also some history of art."

Information about the courses

Fine Art is far more than painting and drawing. It can include printmaking, mixed media work, photography and 3-D. This specialist course is about personal development of you as an artist.

Textiles will teach you a range of techniques including felting, hand embroidery, working with sewing machines as well as developing you as a textile artist and designer.

The creative industries are a growth area in society today, and by choosing to become a part of this course, you can be at the forefront of innovation.

Year 1

AS level Fine Art is made up of one unit of coursework, which is broken down into two projects. The first is a skill based project based around a theme exploring a range of different media and techniques. The second, is where you start to explore your own themes and media based on your own personal interests and strengths within the subject.

ART1: Personal Creative Enquiry

· 100% of the linear AS grade (does not count towards A2 grade)

· Internally set and marked.

· Externally moderated.

· Work required: sketchbooks and final piece

The Personal Creative Enquiry is designed to introduce you to a range of different art and textile processes, techniques and materials as well as challenging your idea of what art and textiles is. You will be given the opportunity to experiment within a range of specialist areas. Class debates and independent research will introduce you to a range of contemporary and historical artists, designers and craftspeople. You will also have the opportunity to attend regular trips and visits.

Year 2

The emphasis of Year 2 is on independent study and the development of your own personal work.

ART1: Personal Investigation

· 60% of the full A Level

· Internally set and marked

· Externally moderated

· Work required: sketchbooks, coursework, final piece/s and a 2,000 word personal study

The Personal Investigation aims to give you the opportunity to pursue your own creative ideas and personal interests relating to a theme of your choice. You will build on the work and skills developed throughout the first year. Working independently you will discover your own artists and designers, undertake specialist gallery visits and develop your practical skills and knowledge in your chosen area of study. This will take the form of a written piece of work that will run alongside your practical explorations and final pieces.

ART2: Externally Set Assignment

· 40% of the full A Level

· Externally set

· Internally marked

· Externally moderated

· Work required: sketchbooks and a 15 hour exam piece

The Externally Set Assignment is a smaller body of work than the Personal Investigation and will take the form of a series of key words/phrases as starting-points. Past exam themes have included; closely observed, going home and it’s in the details.

By this stage of the course, you will have developed your own personal creative style s this is an opportunity for you to produce a body of work that not only means something to you but demonstrates fully your understanding of the processes and practices of art. You will have a preparatory period of around 10 weeks, for you to work though the creative process, researching artists’ work, generating ideas and developing work. This will culminate in a final piece being produced in 15 hours under exam conditions.

End of course exhibition

The exhibition is an opportunity for you to show friends and family your creative journey over the last two years with a body of work selected and curated by you. This is always a fantastic end to the year and is the perfect way to celebrate our students' achievements.

BTEC EXTENDED DIPLOMA IN ART AND DESIGN

Why should I study this subject?

If you love art and design and feel your future is in the creative industries, this course will be great for you. BTEC Art and Design is a full time, two year, level 3 art course which has been designed to develop your skills in a range of artistic disciplines including: drawing, painting, printmaking, photography (both darkroom and digital), textiles, fashion, 3D and many others. You will develop visual communication skills and the ability to think conceptually which will help you develop into truly independent artists and designers. The course gives you the opportunity to develop intellectual, imaginative and creative art work and use a wide range of artistic media.

What will I study?

Year 12 In the first year you will be introduced to the formal elements of art and design and you will explore a range of media including drawing, painting, 3D, photography, print and textiles. You will be taught skills in all these areas and work through projects designed to develop your artistic ability. As the year progresses we will help you choose a specialism and produce a final major project in that area.

Year 13 You will explore and deepen your experience and knowledge in your chosen specialism as your work become increasingly independent. We will help you develop a portfolio of work and prepare you for either university or job interviews. During the year you will be set a range of projects designed to stretch and challenge you before concluding in a final major project and end of year exhibition

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

FOUNDATION DIPLOMA IN ART AND DESIGN POST 16

E n t r y r e q u i r e m e n t s :
To succeed on a Foundation Diploma you will have had to have coped well at A-level or level 3 BTEC in a visual arts subject.
You must have five GCSE passes at grades A* – C (including English or Maths). If you have not studied a visual arts subject at level 3 then we will ask you to present a portfolio of work at interview.

C u r r e n t N E W c o l l e g e s t u d e n t s :
The above course can only be accessed if a students behaviour, attendance and staff reports are satisfactory. Ultimately the decision to allow a student to progress to the foundation diploma will be at Vice Principal’s discretion.

O v e r v i e w :
As part of this course you will explore a wide range of media, materials and ideas before deciding a specialism. This exploratory phase will develop your drawing skills, creativity and visual thinking.

After you have worked through the exploratory phase of the course you will pick one of four specialisms to work within. You will produce work designed to show your skills in this area and build a portfolio for interviews.

Fine art: painting, drawing, 3D, sculpture photography, print, video installation

Visual communication: graphic design, illustration, photography animation, printing

Textiles: fashion, surface pattern, costume design, embroidery

3D: sculpture, interior design, furniture, architecture

The course will conclude with a final major project and exhibition of your work.

The course will also provide you with a level 3 qualification.

Further information

Email: Sarah Wilkinson - Head of Visual Arts
Website: https://ncpontefract.ac.uk/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ncpvisualarts/