New Zealand Certificate in Creativity (Level 4) Version 2

The Learning Connexion wishes to advise that all students who enrol from January 2025 will enrol in Version 2. 

This programme is intended for ākonga (learners) who wish to develop core knowledge and skills essential to expand their creative abilities. It is about you, as learners, beginning your creative journey and seeking and discovering your creative abilities (Mā te kimi, ka kite). With guidance, you will be able to select a mix of different creative art subjects which best suit your interests and needs in order to gain an understanding of Creativity.

The programme is particularly suited to ākonga who are in transition - back into education, during or after a career change, or in response to a major life event of some kind. You will be able to explore what interests you, at the same time as developing a solid foundation of your own creative drivers and goals, supported by delivery methods that require frequent engagement and feedback-feedforward.

There are three Programme Components that have been designed to fit TLC's strongly ākonga-centred pedagogy

1. 'Self' - in relation to whānau, whakapapa and kaupapa. This is where ākonga learn about their intrinsic drivers and creative goals and, over time, translate this into their creative process and practice. You will be able to explore and express cultures most relevant to yourselves, including Māori and Pasifika.

2. 'Materials and Processes' - giving ākonga opportunities to explore materials and processes across disciplines. This programme component is focussed on the application of techniques, tools and processes, through active research. You will gain technical skills and extend your knowledge of materials as part of your creative process.

3. 'Environment, Culture and Community' - enabling ākonga to present work, communicate with external stakeholders, and professional practice requirements. You will be introduced to professional practice topics and learn to evaluate your creative work, taking cultural sensitivity and respect into consideration when presenting work.

Notes:

• These three programme components are not delivered in a linear manner, because creativity is not a linear process

• Ākonga are expected to advance each of the programme components at the same time throughout the delivery schedule. The programme is delivered as one course with regular informal (documented) mentor/student feedback/feedforward sessions, and a formal progress check when (10%, 25% for part-time) 50% and 75% (pre-completion) of the programme has been completed. One to one guidance from mentors at each feedback/feedforward session keeps each student on track with how they will meet all programme requirements

• Success as a student, and as a mentor or tutor, hinges on an interactive dialogue. As part of this process, feedback is the heart of creativity. Taking something, doing something to it, reflecting on this and then responding to the result, ensures students and tutors are constantly learning, growing and evolving

• Students and tutors are in a continuous creative cycle (The Creative Spiral - Jonathan Milne, 2008)

The programme has three modes of delivery

1. Onsite - creative arts options available:

Painting, Drawing, Illustration, Printmaking, Jewellery, Photography, Digital art, Ceramics, Glass Casting, Hot Arts (forging & bronze casting), Carving (Oamaru stone and wood), Assemblage (mixed media)

2. Restricted Programme (from prison) - creative arts options available:

Painting, Drawing, Illustration, Whakairo (where available) Assemblage (mixed media), Raranga

3. Distance Delivery - creative arts options available:

Painting, Drawing, Illustration, Printmaking, Jewellery, Photography, Digital art, Ceramics, Carving (Oamaru stone and wood), Assemblage (mixed media), Raranga

Available graduate pathways

Graduates of this programme will be able to establish a pathway into further study.

For more information about enrolling in the programme please contact our Admissions team at admissions@tlc.ac.nz