Course details

Summary

Turn your passion for art and sculpture into a lifelong career with Tai Poutini Polytechnic’s Jade and Hard Stone Carving programmes. The training teaches students the core skills and understanding of the industry they need to enter the busy carving world. You’ll also learn techniques and design skills that will allow you to create highly desirable one-off pieces of work. Former students have competed against New Zealand’s top carvers in national competitions and taken away top honours – you’ll be able to put your skills to the test in a real world environment as tutors put you in touch with industry.

Students will be encouraged to engage in creative exploration, personal growth, independent study and the development of work ethics suitable for the industry. The learning environment will foster group evaluation and critique to promote reflection and development of critical and analytical skills.

Core Elements

The New Zealand Certificate in Arts and Design (Level 3) programme provides learning experiences that enable students to develop the core knowledge, skills and personal attributes needed to gain employment in entry level positions in the New Zealand artistic carving industry.

Graduates of this qualification will be able to:

Understand the implications of the Treaty of Waitangi for hard stone and jade carving in Aotearoa New Zealand
Develop an understanding of the geology and properties of different stones and how they react to processing
Demonstrate an understanding of carving design concepts and techniques, and apply this to carving hard stone and jade to a set brief
Explore potential education and employment pathways
Collaborate with others, select and present work in context

Programme Structure and Workload

The programme balances classroom-based theory with a range of practical learning contexts to assist students to achieve the New Zealand Certificate in Arts and Design (Levels 3).

Further Study Paths

Diploma in Jade and Hard Stone Carving (Level 4)

Career Opportunities

The overall aim of the New Zealand Certificate in Arts and Design (Level 3) programme is to provide learning experiences that enable students to develop the core knowledge, skills and personal attributes sought by employers and required for basic entry level positions.

Entry criteria

Entry Criteria

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

NCEA level 2 credits in English and Mathematics.
Applicants for whom English is a second language must meet IELTS (or equivalent) Level 5.5 or above.

Special Notes:

Special Entry may be granted where evidence exists that the applicant can successfully complete the programme. Please contact the Polytechnic for details.

Advice to applicants:

Candidates must possess the physical capacity to engage in the practical carving components of the programme.
Diagnostic literacy testing may be conducted to identify applicants requiring support. Students identified as requiring support / assistance in coping with tertiary level study will be supported by the polytechnic Student Support Services.