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Couch Fest ’24

This year’s Couch Fest was the biggest yet with over 1000 people in attendance. We were delighted to have the Backyard Jam area upgraded in time for Couch Fest. We spent over $120,000 installing a new roof, paving the area with bricks and installing new retaining walls in preparation for our annual Visual and Performing Arts Festival.

On the night the Backyard Jam stage looked magical with all new gel lighting and fairy lights which provided a great venue for the many student performances. We also had students performing in the auditorium and in the Recital Room which was suitably decked out as a Halloween themed venue.

The corridors were filled with Art Immersion students selling the wonderful products they developed over the year as part of their Creative Enterprise subject with some students selling out completely. Students sold almost $10,000 of art – a record – beating last year’s record of $6,000.

The VCE VM students ran a clothing swap, bookstore and cafe which again provided a great selection of toasties, sweets and coffees. We also had a new activity this year with Harrison Building and organising a high bar which people could pay to see how long they could hold on to it for. Congratulations to Alex, the Music staff, the Art Immersion staff and all the students and staff helping to make this such a wonderful event.

NCAT VCE VM Couchfest Visual Performing Arts

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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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INLLEN Creative Industries Industry Event

In August, NCAT and the creative arts students and staff were excited and proud to host an Creative Arts Industry event which was the culmination of three years work. The Pathways to Creative Industries Project, with Inner Northern LLEN was funded by the Northern Metropolitan Partnership. The idea of the project was to unpack what would help young people who are entering the creative industry sector for the first time.

Over the past 3 years, NCAT Creative Arts students have been participating in the Pathways to Creative Industries Project, a partnership between the Inner Northern LLEN and NCAT, funded by the Northern Metropolitan Partnership.

Students enrolled in Visual Arts & Design, Photography and Music courses actively participated in both the design and the implementation of their exploration of how transition from school to work operates in the Creative Industries.

Students investigated employment and enterprise opportunities in their field by connecting with creative practitioners to explore how employment functions and the kinds of support that help people move into the industry. They asked over 50 industry professionals in online interviews about their pathways to work.

At the event NCAT students from Year 12 Art Immersion, Year 12 Music and Certificate IV in Visual Arts students presented their findings from the online interviews. Industry panellists from the Visual and Performing Arts Industries spoke about how they started out in their field, as well as invaluable insights into possible pathways into the creative industries.

Additional industry speakers spoke answered industry specific questions in breakout rooms relevant to the four areas.

Nathan Lambert, Labor state MP representing Preston and Reservoir, opened the event with an inspiring speech on the importance of the arts to the local community.

It was a valuable opportunity for students and teachers alike to meet and talk with working creatives who were so generous with their time, advice and support of younger students wanting to enter the industry.

A big thank you to each of the industry professionals listed below who generously donated their time to the project, as well as the 250 students from local schools who joined us on the day.

Screen & Media
Mark Bonanno
Cassie Walker
Jay Wingate
Deb Herman

Music
James Lloyd-Wyatt
Grace Robinson
Cameron Muncey

Photography
Jess Apap
Taree Mackenzie
Caitlin O’Grady

Visual Arts & Design
Rosie Turner
Richard Morden
Nour Abdullatif
Frances Cannon

INLLEN Pathways to creative industries NCAT Visual Performing Arts

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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 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.

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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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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.

“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. ”