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Arts faculty                                   *Click here for a brochure

The Arts Faculty, being the hub of creative activity at Dickson College, enables students to study a wide variety of cross cultural curriculum areas including:

composing and performing music; solo and in groups
appearing on stage or starring in a video or in film
providing technical support for live performance
creating and capturing visual images and structures for self expression and to satisfy the senses
developing the creative individual.

Courses are designed to suit professional, general and vocational needs, offering avenues to further study, workplace skills and personal enrichment.
The faculty also presents productions, performances and displays of student work in the course of the College year.


Art & Design which includes Ceramics

Art can be taken at two levels - Art and Design (Tertiary) and Art and Design (Accredited) & Ceramics (Tertiary) and Ceramics (Accredited). There are no prerequisites for either course and it is possible to take up art studies at the commencement of any semester.

Art classes cover all aspects of the Art and Design, including both theoretical and practical. Art is an energetic and popular course as it provides all students the hands-on opportunity to develop their strengths and skills. As the course develops, students are taught many artistic techniques from sculpture to watercolour painting and encouraged to develop creative skills demonstrating visual concepts and ideas. Once skills are developed, students are urged to investigate all avenues of artistic expression. After graduating from an art course at Dickson College, students may further their artistic career by applying for entry to any art school in Australia. They may also take other artistic career paths such as Design or Craft.


Drama (T/A/V)

Tertiary and Accredited units offer a very wide choice in Drama where you can learn skills and increase your confidence.  No previous experience in drama is required: the Drama courses offer a real opportunity to develop confidence and communication.

All units have a strong element of performance, and there is also an opportunity to develop technical abilities in Theatre Lighting and Design, as well as stage management and front of house skills through links with outside theatre groups. These technical aspects can also be studied at a V level and students can acquire a Cert 1 and 11 in Technical Production for Live Theatre. In addition each semester there is a major production staged either in the Anthill Theatre and often in close cooperation with Music staff.

Media Studies (T/A/V)

The College offers a variety of Tertiary and Accredited Media units, allowing students to complete a minor, major, major/minor or double major in this course.  The units in Media concentrate on both theoretical and practical skills and encourage creativity and experimentation and provide a thorough grounding in the subject for further study in this field as well as useful life skills.

The Media area has a comprehensive range of equipment and includes digital video cameras, computer editing laboratories (Mac and PC), a range of software, lights, tripods, etc.


Music (T/A)

Towards Contemporary Music is the Dickson College music course. It contains 3 strands:

1. Contemporary: Contemporary Music Styles, Ensembles, Music for Film, World Music, Self Directed Study.

2. Jazz: Blues, Funk, Swing and Bebop, Funk Latin.

3. Classical: Baroque, Classical, Romantic, 20th Century and Beyond.

Students practise and perform, compose music and study musical styles. Each semester there are lunchtime and evening performances by students. Jazz students perfrom in jazz combos and a big band. Recording and composing can be done on Macs and PCs.

Music Industry (A/V)

This vocational course comprises units which are designed to develop competencies in the Music Industry and to give access to future employment opportunities in the field. Students may gain Certificate 1 and 11 in Music Industry. Work placements are also offered. Students develop skills on an instrument, work in bands, learn to mix sound and compose songs using instruments and computers. Units are: Music Industry Core 1 & 2, Performance 1-4 and Production 1-4.

Dance (A)

A selection of units are offered for students to gain a major in Accredited Dance. Units include Dance Foundations and Dance Production. Students may also be offered opportuniites for dance experience and performance.

Photography (T/A/V)

Photography is a course for students who wish to use the medium of photography for enjoyment, communication and artistic purposes. The emphasis is on the use of an SLR camera and processing photographs using black & white darkroom techniques.  In latter units students will learn and use digital imaging techniques.  Each course offers 4 sequential units.

Registered Units

Students can also choose a registered unit to earn an extra half unit point towards their Year 12 package. The 3 units offered are: Dance Festival, Play Production and Front of House.