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Future Artists

Course content

Course introduction

A specialist programme for those students intending to follow a career in Graphics or Art. You will have the opportunity to work with professionals through work on live briefs, gallery visits and artists in residence. Trips to university departments and art galleries will widen your appreciation of the world of art. Opportunities to enter prestigious national art competitions such as the D&AD New Blood Awards will enable you to develop skills for the future.

Who should follow the programme?

To access this elective, you will need to be studying Fine Art, Graphic Design or Photography or alternatively Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma in Art and Design.

What activities can you expect to experience?

  • Presentation of your project work both within college and to the wider community.
  • Support from specialist staff in preparing your portfolio for university applications.
  • Visits to local universities and participation in practical activities
  • Visiting speakers covering a range of art and design related disciplines
  • Curating the external departmental exhibition including writing the catalogue, helping with artists’ statements and publicising the event.
  • The opportunity to engage with critical and contextual studies to a higher level
  • A range of exhibition visits covering all art and design disciplines
  • Organising and running the departmental website, notice board of gallery and educational opportunities, and selecting and displaying the ‘Art of the Week’ nominees.

What about trips and visits?

Introduction to the creative industries and higher education opportunities

  • Artist lectures
  • Portfolio workshops
  • University visits
  • Gallery visits
  • Curator workshops and practice
  • Live creative briefs
  • Exhibition design & implementation

You will develop the following employability skills:

  • Communication

  • Teamwork
  • Independence
  • Professional practice
  • Industry awareness
  • Resilience 

What will this elective lead to after SJR?

Students will become highly desirable candidates for further study and employment. This elective is designed to create students who are more roundly experienced than the average applicant, thereby enabling them to enjoy greater success in their chosen creative field. 

The Art department has an excellent record of student progression to higher education and last year our students entered university to study courses in a range of disciplines such as: Fine Art, Graphic Design and Digital Media, Photography, Fashion, Textiles, Architecture, 3D and Interior Design.

Nurturing rising talent

Our Elective Programme is designed to help you develop your gifts and interests as part of an enhanced level 3 programme. We will help you realise your potential by nurturing your talent and preparing you for study at the most prestigious universities or for progression to competitive higher-level apprenticeships. Your options range from our Honours Programme, which might include following a fourth A level, to specialist Futures Programmes that will support your career goals.

Level 2 entry requirements

If you’re not quite ready to start on a Level 3 Technical course (T Levels) or a Vocational Level 3 course (BTEC) but want to begin on the path to your chosen career, the Transition Programme could be for you.  

Transition Programmes are tailored to prepare students to move onto Technical or Vocational Level 3 study. They will give you the opportunity to improve your English and Maths, your work readiness skills and introduce you to the technical skills and concepts that you will need for future study and employment. 

As part of the Transition Programme you will study a BTEC Level 2 Award in your chosen subject area as well as the BTEC Level 2 Extended Award in Work Skills. You will also have the opportunity to resit GCSE English and/or Maths if you have not yet achieved a grade 4. 

Entry criteria for Transition Programmes is four grade 3s including grade 3s in English Language and Maths GCSE.

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