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Visual Arts (VDSS)

Our visual arts and design curriculum features a broad range of disciplines from graphic design, product and visual design to furniture, instrument making, photo imaging, studio and visual arts.

NCAT cultivates a vibrant atmosphere for student exploration and development, guiding artistic and technical skills for further education with tertiary institutions, TAFE institutions or specialist education providers in visual arts and design. Year 10, VCE, Art Immersion Program and VET students benefit from a personalised curriculum tailored to meet individual artistic abilities, incorporating core subjects together with selected visual arts and design disciplines.

Visual Arts (VDSS) enables you to:

Develop a diverse body of work

Learn the professional practice of using a visual diary

Connect with practising artists

Develop friendships with like-minded peers outside of your school network

Establish a clear pathway for further study at the Certificate and Diploma levels

Course

Level(s)

Qualification(s)

Visual Arts (VDSS)

VET

Qualification(s):

CUA20725 Certificate II in Visual Arts (VDSS)

Course Structure

Are you ready to take your creativity further? The VET in Schools (VDSS) Visual Arts course offers you the chance to explore and develop your artistic skills while completing a nationally recognised qualification: CUA20720 Certificate II in Visual Arts. Designed for students in Years 10–12, this two-year course runs part-time, with half-day sessions each Wednesday, making it easy to combine with your current studies. You’ll gain hands-on experience in a real studio environment, building confidence, creativity, and a strong foundation for further study.

Art Forms and Projects

Throughout the course, you’ll be guided through a wide range of art forms, including painting, sculpture, drawing, mixed media, and printmaking. Projects are designed to challenge and inspire you, ranging from experimental works and group collaborations to more resolved, exhibition-ready pieces. Visual diaries are a central component, helping you build creative thinking, research skills, and the ability to document your process – essential skills for every aspiring artist.

Excursions and Workshops

Learning doesn’t stop in the classroom. You’ll take part in excursions and workshops that extend your practice beyond the studio, giving you opportunities to experience art in professional settings, expand your technical skills, and deepen your understanding of creative industries. Working with visiting artists also builds confidence in communicating your ideas and gives you insight into how artists establish and sustain their careers.

Pathways and Future Opportunities

This course is also a valuable stepping stone for your future. By completing Certificate II in Visual Arts, you’ll be preparing yourself for progression into NCAT’s full-time Immersion programs in Visual Arts and Design, as well as other creative pathways. Whether you dream of pursuing fine art, illustration, design, or any other creative industry career, this course provides both the practical skills and the professional connections to get you started.

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Certificate II in Visual Art students learn still life observation, 3D rendering and more!

This year in the Certificate II in Visual Art, there has been a strong focus on embedding drawing design skills into each project, with students learning a wide range of techniques and media including still life observation, 3D rendering, stylisation, one-point perspective, Adobe Illustrator and more. As a part of our focus on drawing, we have invited two emerging Melbourne-based Illustrators to present to our students and run workshops that showcase their industry skills.

In Term 2, Caleb Azeez, a local teacher/musician/artist showcased his graphic design and illustration work (including 10+ of his mind-blowingly beautiful sketchbooks) to our students and taught a range of techniques to help students explore style and understand how they can develop their own personal style and express emotions effectively in their work. Students loved watching Caleb work real-time and under pressure to figure out how to use shape and line to communicate the ideas they were handballing him. It was fantastic to see students feeling confident and inspired to try new directions in their own work and take a more playful approach to sketching.

In Term 3, we had Ashley Ronning, full-time Illustrator and zine-queen join us for a zine-making workshop to share with students the rich history of the artform and to show them some of the exciting possibilities of this vital avenue for self-publication and distribution of their drawing work. Our students took instantly to the format, finding ways to illustrate their own perspectives and stories with impressive humour, daring and wisdom!

Certificate II in Visual Art Immersion VCE VM Caleb Azeez

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Creative Enterprise in Visual Arts Immersion VCE VM

Creative Enterprise is a core part of the Visual Arts Immersion VCE VM curriculum, where students learn the business and manufacturing skills needed to turn their creative work into small businesses.

In Year 11, the focus is on becoming familiar with the design thinking process through a series of skills building masterclasses. This year the students have had opportunities to learn from design experts at Banyule Nillumbik Tech School to create digital images for laser cut and 3D print manufacturing.

They also travelled to Troppo Print Studio in Brunswick to learn the art of screen printing with artists Matt Feder and Sarah Murphy. You can see some of the amazing merch they created in the photos, not to mention the smiles! Next up, students will have the opportunity to learn to make silicone moulds with scientist and jeweller, Jamie Mumford.

NCAT Visual Art Immersion VCE VM Creative Enterprise Troppo Studio

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Couchfest 2022

Congratulations to all students, staff, volunteers and performers of this year’s NCAT Couchfest. After running smaller versions over the last two years, NCAT Couchfest was back with the biggest one yet. Originating in 2015, Couchfest is a student-led event showing the incredible talents of our VCE Vocational Major (VM) students across Visual and Performing Arts and General VCE VM.

Performance VCE VM students studying a Certificate II in Dance or Music or a Certificate III in Music Performance or Sound Production, worked as a production company to plan and organise the music and performance event with over 30 bands, solo acts, dance and theatre performances. The performances wowed the 500 strong audience across a number stages.

Visual Arts Immersion VCE VM students worked tirelessly to create artworks and products for sale at over a dozen student-run market stalls and General VCE VM students ran recycled clothing stall and sustainable cafe.

The well-known food truck Taco Truck sold out all its food. Many past students visited, and it was great for visitors to come and see exactly what NCAT students can do.

NCAT VCE VM Couchfest Visual Performing Arts

NCAT VCE VM Visual Performing Arts Course

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Art Immersion

Art Immersion is a full-time immersive art and design program for students in years 11 and 12. Students spend four days a week in professional studio environments, developing both creative skills and industry knowledge through hands-on practice. In Year 11, students build foundational skills across multiple artistic mediums before choosing to specialise in either Visual Arts Immersion or Photography Immersion for Year 12. Graduates earn both VCE completion and Certificate III in Visual Arts, with many also completing additional industry qualifications through our flexible Wednesday VET programs.

Our graduates often progress directly to NCAT's own Certificate IV programs, gain entry to prestigious institutions including RMIT, VCA and Swinburne, or pursue alternative routes such as TAFE-to-university pathways and industry apprenticeships. Our comprehensive portfolio development and industry-standard training ensure students have the creative evidence and professional presentation skills that tertiary institutions and employers value.

Art Immersion enables you to:

Study art and design full-time whilst completing your secondary schooling

Develop skills in drawing, painting, sculpture and photography

Work one-on-one with mentors who help you communicate your ideas and achieve your creative potential

Develop confidence; identify and use your individual strengths

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Students develop extensive skills and knowledge in painting, drawing, sculpture, photography and design; which they then apply to independent and group projects. We maintain close relationships with designers and artists working across diverse creative fields; established practitioners work directly alongside students in our studios. These connections ensure students graduate with both technical skills and comprehensive industry knowledge. Our students work in industry-standard facilities from traditional ateliers to fully equipped darkrooms and photography studios, with access to technology including laser cutting and 3D printing equipment.

Student Work

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Student Work

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During the iconic ‘Fashion Fortnight’ project, year twelve students collaborate to design and create wearable artworks which are then styled and photographed in our professional studios. This is an exciting and challenging project where students develop leadership and teamwork skills in a creative setting.

Fashion Fortnight

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Fashion Fortnight

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Couch Fest

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At our annual Couch Fest arts festival, students gain real entrepreneurial experience by running their own creative businesses, while the entire NCAT community – families, staff, and friends – gathers to support their ventures with genuine enthusiasm and pride in their achievements.

TestimonialsAbbey Baggio (Visual Arts Immersion Student)

“My last year at NCAT was a year full of self discovery. Finding out who I am as an artist has been such a positive journey; I’ve had so much fun learning about my strengths and weaknesses and truly just discovering what I’m passionate about.”

TestimonialsAbbey Baggio (Visual Arts Immersion Student)

“My art is a positive outlet for me and it has allowed me to discover such life-changing confidence within myself. This whole journey has changed me in the most lovely way and I’m so grateful and ready to create and trust myself with everything I create in the future. ”

TestimonialsLeon Alasso (Visual Arts Immersion Student)

“I truly appreciate the opportunity I had to experience a more progressive environment. During my time in the Visual Arts Immersion program I got lots of support and great encouragement to try new things and it really pushed me to discover how I could make a career though art.”

TestimonialsSarah Moss (Visual Arts Immersion Student)

“My time at NCAT is something I will never forget. Through encouragement from my teachers, I progressed faster than I could have imagined. The Visual Arts Immersion program taught me a positive work ethic, to embrace my creativity and to explore all the different mediums and pathways available.”

TestimonialsSarah Moss (Visual Arts Immersion Student)

“Since leaving NCAT, I have gone on to start my own business in the film and television industry; freelancing as a makeup artist for advertisements, feature films and television shows. I am currently working full-time in the Hair and Makeup Department of long-running Australian television show, Neighbours.”

TestimonialsSarah Moss (Visual Arts Immersion Student)

“NCAT will always feel like home for me, and I will always be thankful for the uplifting advice I constantly received from my teachers - pushing me in the right direction while giving me the space to improve myself self-sufficiently. ”

TestimonialsSam Larsen (Visual Arts Immersion Student)

“I’m currently studying a Diploma of Interior Design and Decoration at RMIT and I wouldn’t be here without the incredible knowledge and support from all of the teachers that had a hand in my education. I can never speak highly enough about the opportunities I’ve been given and I recommend it to any creative inspired person who wants to excel in their area. ”

TestimonialsNatasha Stamos (Media Teacher)

“Within the Visual Arts umbrella we also have the Arts Immersion program which is a vocational learning program where students are in a studio environment for four days a week. They also get all their literacy and numeracy through that. ”

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Course

Level(s)

Qualification(s)

Art Immersion

Year 11: VCE VM
Year 12: VCE VM

Qualification(s):

CUA20720 Certificate II in Visual Arts
CUA31125 Certificate III in Visual Arts

Course Structure

Our two-program is structured to support both creative exploration and professional specialisation, allowing students to develop genuine expertise while completing their secondary education. Our curriculum structure, using VCE VM and VET units is deliberately chosen for these units' flexibility and application to applied creative learning. Students graduate with both VCE completion and Certificate III in Visual Arts, with many also completing additional qualifications through our Wednesday VET offerings.

Studio Practice

Individual artistic development through personalised mentoring and targeted projects in students' preferred media. This subject emphasises meaningful artistic themes as students create substantial portfolio works over two 3.5-hour weekly sessions. This extended timeframe allows sustained creative immersion, enabling students to master design processes for independent practice and ultimately exhibit their work in professional gallery settings.

Workshops

Full-day technical sessions building skills in drawing, painting, and photography. Each workshop has a specific focus and begins with relevant art history and theory, then trialling materials and techniques and applying these to an extended artwork. Structured and intensive development ensures students build comprehensive skills and knowledge from foundational techniques to advanced practice.

Creative Enterprise

Students use design thinking to develop and manufacture products using both digital technology (laser cutting, 3D printing and design software) and traditional craft techniques. They progress from guided development in Year 11 to running independent businesses in Year 12, researching the market and selling work at our annual Couch Fest arts festival.

Art & Industry

Through hands-on projects, students explore careers in character design, games design, and illustration while learning from industry professionals. They create professional texts including websites, resumes, portfolios, and artist statements, developing essential tools for arts careers and further study. Artist talks and written reflections build presentation and critical analysis skills, ensuring graduates have creative direction and strong verbal and written communication abilities.

Our visual arts and design curriculum features a broad range of disciplines from graphic design, product and visual design to furniture, instrument making, photo imaging, studio and visual arts.

Course Structure

“My last year at NCAT was a year full of self discovery. Finding out who I am as an artist has been such a positive journey; I’ve had so much fun learning about my strengths and weaknesses and truly just discovering what I’m passionate about.”

“My art is a positive outlet for me and it has allowed me to discover such life-changing confidence within myself. This whole journey has changed me in the most lovely way and I’m so grateful and ready to create and trust myself with everything I create in the future. ”

“I truly appreciate the opportunity I had to experience a more progressive environment. During my time in the Visual Arts Immersion program I got lots of support and great encouragement to try new things and it really pushed me to discover how I could make a career though art.”

“NCAT will always feel like home for me, and I will always be thankful for the uplifting advice I constantly received from my teachers - pushing me in the right direction while giving me the space to improve myself self-sufficiently. ”

“Within the Visual Arts umbrella we also have the Arts Immersion program which is a vocational learning program where students are in a studio environment for four days a week. They also get all their literacy and numeracy through that. ”

Course Structure

“My art is a positive outlet for me and it has allowed me to discover such life-changing confidence within myself. This whole journey has changed me in the most lovely way and I’m so grateful and ready to create and trust myself with everything I create in the future. ”

“NCAT will always feel like home for me, and I will always be thankful for the uplifting advice I constantly received from my teachers - pushing me in the right direction while giving me the space to improve myself self-sufficiently. ”

“Within the Visual Arts umbrella we also have the Arts Immersion program which is a vocational learning program where students are in a studio environment for four days a week. They also get all their literacy and numeracy through that. ”