All the tutors are professional artists, each with a range of specialisms, who can give you insights on how to expand your skills so you can learn how to become a professional artist.

Throughout the course, we will help you build not only the art skills, but also your confidence, motivation and vocational skills that will help you move onto Level 2.

“One of the things I love to see from my Level 1 students is when they can actually see how much they’ve learnt. We make the lessons fun, but learning is always there, and when you see a student say ‘I can do this!’ it’s great to experience a student seeing their work pay off!” Sharon Fenwick , Level 1 Art & Design Curriculum Leader.

On this course, there are no fornal exams. You will be assessed on your coursework throughout the year.

Your final grade is based on your final major project, but we support you throughout the year to build you skills to achieve the grade you are aiming for.

On Level 1, you will work on either live commissions from outside clients, or receive work from within the college that helps you develop your professional skills.

At the end of the year, we have a full exhibition, where you’ll show your work and have the opportunity to discuss this with professionals who are visiting the exhibition.

Students on the Level 1 Art and Design  have the opportunity to work with our professional partners, such as the Baltic and the Law Courts.

We often have opportunities for Level 1 students to work with the Level 2 students when we have professional artists come in, so they can gain the same skills.

In the Art department, we have a range of facilities and materials for the students to use – PCs with access to Photoshop, a colour printer in Xerox, and standard drawing equipment, including drawing boards, paper etc.

We also work with the Baltic and have access to their facilities too.

The art team will support you throughout the year to take your next steps.

Students from the Level 1 art and design course can progress onto an appropriate Level 2 course or you could gain an apprenticeship.

Admission to our art and design courses are subject to an interview. To help prepare you for the interview, we would like to see some examples of work.

We understand that some schools often keep the portfolios up to the exams, so even if you can take some photographs of your work on your phone, it would be helpful.

” Level 1 Art and Design has helped me expand my skills, and improve my drawing and what I need to know about art, so I can move to the Level 2 next year”.Tammy Cummings, Level 1 Art Design Student.