26/01/09

STUDENTS thinking about starting careers in the creative arts or media can benefit from a new and exciting course being delivered by Exeter4Learning.

The Creative and Media Diploma is aimed at young people wanting to study a broad range of arts while preparing for a potential career in the creative industries.

It starts later this year and is being officially launched at Isca College on Wednesday, January 28, at 6pm.

Activities on the launch night will include open rehearsals, art and design exhibitions, displays by local arts organisations and businesses and information sessions with course leaders. Representatives from the Phoenix and Devon Arts in Schools Initiative (DAISI) will also be in attendance.

An initiative from the Exeter4Learning partnership made up of Exeter College and the city’s five secondary schools, the diploma can be studied at two levels.

The Level 2 Higher Diploma course which is equivalent to seven GCSEs is open to Year 10 students from all Exeter secondary schools. They will spend two days per week at Isca College studying the Diploma.

For learners aged 16 or over they can study the Level 3 Advanced Diploma course at Exeter College. This part of the Diploma is equivalent to 3.5 A levels.

The Creative and Media Diploma will cater for those interested in not just music, dance, performing arts, media and art & design but all of these and more.

Examples of Creative and Media Disciplines covered in the course include 2D & 3D Visual Art, Graphic Design, Drama, Dance, Interactive Media, Animation, Photography and Music.

Viv Finer, Head of Art & Design at Exeter College, said: “This course is revolutionary and we’re very excited about what it means for young people within the creative arts.
“But we’re aware that the Diploma is new and innovative, so this launch gives students and their families an opportunity to come and find out more and ask any questions they may have.
“The Level 3 Diploma will be based in the Centre for Creative Industries, which is at the heart of further arts education in the city. “Not only will students be able to specialise but they’ll learn how to work in project teams and collaborate across the disciplines in real-life contexts.
“To add to this, there is a 10-day work experience requirement meaning that young people don’t just learn about the industry but actively take part in it.”

Garry Plastow, Specialist School Manager and Head of Creative Arts at Isca College of Media Arts, said: “The Diploma is a fantastic opportunity for students who enjoy all aspects of the arts and want to work on themes that combine and develop a varied set of skills across different subject areas.
“It provides a wonderful opportunity for the city’s schools and Exeter College to plan, develop and deliver the course in a truly collaborative way that will emphasise applied learning working with our business partners to provide experiences that will have real vocational relevance.
“The course will make full use of media technologies to deliver an exciting blend of practical assignments and academic learning that will give students a wide range of options for further progression.”