Creative Arts

Skills developed

Visual Arts (Years 7–12)

• Creative and critical thinking.
• Visual literacy and interpretation.
• Concept development and idea generation.
• Drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, digital, textiles and mixed-media techniques.
• Problem-solving through material and conceptual exploration.
• Reflective practice and self-evaluation.
• Research, annotation and written communication.
• Time management and project planning.
• Cultural, historical and contemporary art understanding.

Stage 5 and 6 Visual Design

• Design thinking and creative problem-solving.
• Visual communication and layout design.
• Typography, branding and identity development.
• Digital illustration and graphic design skills.
• Design principles.
• Iterative design processes (brief → concept → refinement).
• Client-based thinking and audience awareness.
• Presentation and pitching skills.

Stage 6 Ceramics

• Three-dimensional design and spatial awareness.
• Hand-building, wheel-throwing and sculptural techniques.
• Understanding of materials, processes and kiln firing.
• Precision, craftsmanship and surface refinement.
• Safe studio practice and technical responsibility.
• Patience, resilience and process-based learning.
• Problem-solving through material experimentation.

Stage 5 Photographic and Digital Media

• Technical control of cameras, lenses and digital equipment.
• Understanding of exposure, composition and visual storytelling.
• Use of natural and studio lighting.
• Digital image manipulation and post-production techniques.
• File management and professional digital workflows.
• Media literacy, ethical image-making and copyright awareness.
• Concept development for digital and screen-based platforms.
• Communication of ideas through still and digital imagery.
• Presentation of resolved photographic and digital works.

Stage 6 Photography, Video, and Digital Imaging

• Technical control of cameras, lenses and settings (aperture, shutter speed, ISO).
• Composition, framing and visual storytelling across still and moving image.
• Use of natural, studio and location lighting.
• Video recording techniques and camera movement.
• Sound capture and basic audio editing.
• Digital image manipulation and post-production workflows.
• File management and professional digital workflows.
• Media literacy, ethical image-making and copyright awareness.
• Concept development for digital and screen-based platforms.
• Presentation of resolved photographic and video works.

Certificate III in Visual Arts and Contemporary Craft

• Industry-standard studio practices.
• Advanced material handling and making techniques.
• Creative problem-solving in professional contexts.
• Independent and collaborative work practices.
• Time management and workflow organisation.
• Documentation of artistic process.
• Preparation and presentation of resolved works.
• Employability skills aligned to creative industries.

Certificate III in Screen and Media

• Professional screen and media production skills.
• Camera, lighting and sound operation.
• Editing, post-production and digital workflows.
• Working to briefs and production schedules.
• Collaboration in production teams.
• Industry communication and workplace protocols.
• Media literacy and audience awareness.
• Career-ready skills aligned to screen and media industries.

Performance/Exhibition opportunities

Creative arts students are provided with a wide range of professional exhibition opportunities that allow them to showcase their work beyond the classroom and engage with authentic arts audiences. These exhibitions respond to opportunities that arise annually, enabling students to participate in local, regional, national, and international platforms.

Key exhibition opportunities include established events such as the Nepean Festival of Arts and Design, Meet the Maker, Penrith NAIDOC, the Nagoya Sister City Arts Exchange, and the Blue Mountains Portrait Prize. Through these experiences, students exhibit resolved works in professional settings, gaining valuable insight into curatorial practice, presentation standards, and audience engagement.

Exhibition opportunities also extend into virtual spaces, including online galleries, school newsletters, and social media platforms. These digital exhibitions allow students to share their work with wider audiences, build digital portfolios, and engage with contemporary modes of creative presentation.

Together, these exhibition experiences celebrate student achievement, support professional pathways, and reflect the evolving opportunities that arise each year within the creative arts sector.

Assessment styles

Creative Arts assessment approaches use a combination of formative and summative assessment, supported by contemporary practices that reflect how artists, designers, photographers, filmmakers, and media practitioners work in real-world environments. Assessment is designed to support learning during the creative process, not just measure outcomes at the end.

Formative Assessment

Formative assessment occurs throughout the learning process and is used to guide student growth, skill development, and creative decision-making. In Creative Arts, formative assessment commonly includes:

• Visual diaries, process journals, and folios that document ideas, research, and artistic development.
• Drafts, experiments, and works-in-progress in both practical and written forms.
• Critical and historical writing tasks, including annotations, short responses, and research notes.
• Teacher feedback, peer critique, and self-reflection that support informed refinement.
• Conferencing and check-ins during making to discuss practice, theory, and intent.
• Improving artworks and written responses through ongoing feedback

Summative Assessment

Summative assessment occurs at the end of a unit and evaluates how effectively students integrate practice, theory, and critical understanding. In Creative Arts, summative assessment commonly includes:

• Resolved artworks, photographs, designs, media and film works.
• Portfolios.
• Exhibitions, screenings, or presentations.
• Written, oral, or multimodal responses to examination-style questions, including extended responses and essays, using reflective, descriptive, analytical, and evaluative writing.

Who is best suited for this course?

Students who have a passion for any form of creative arts, including taking photos, drawing, sculpting, and digital media. Students who enjoy experimenting with materials, expressing ideas visually, and developing original concepts.

Facilities & resources

• Visual arts studios and specialist classrooms
• Digital media and design software
• Photography and film equipment
• Exhibition spaces for showcasing work

Pathways

Creative Arts pathways at NCAPAHS are designed to develop students as creative practitioners, preparing them for post-school academic study and industry-aligned careers. Students’ progress from foundational skill development to advanced, contemporary practice, building professional portfolios and developing critical, technical, creative, and written communication skills. Through reflective, analytical, and evaluative writing, students learn to articulate ideas, document creative processes, and critically respond to artworks, supporting successful pathways into further education at TAFE, university, and professional practice. These pathways also support transitions into a wide range of creative industries, including visual arts, design, photography, film, media, and visual communication.

Art Edge

ART EDGE | TUESDAY & THURSDAY 7:30AM – 8:55AM | $120 PER YEAR

Art Edge provides a myriad of opportunities for students eager to explore their creativity, expand their horizons, and showcase their art to the world. The program supports students to develop and refine professional portfolios through opportunities to enter artworks into a range of competitions and exhibitions, enabling them to demonstrate their talents beyond the classroom.

Arts in the Community

ARTS IN THE COMMUNITY | WEDNESDAY | $40 A TERM | TERMS 1, 2, 3, AND 4

Arts in the community is a site-specific studio experience that builds greater community connection to the Creative Arts. Students partake in the design and production of public artworks and produce works responding to a site. This studio is held on Wednesday afternoons.

Deadly Arts

DEADLY ARTS | FRIDAY 3.00PM – 5.00PM | NO COST | TERMS 1, 2, 3, AND 4

This Studio is supported by the Department of Education Deadly Arts Grant.

In collaboration with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander professional artists and educators, First Nations students enhance their ability to express themselves authentically and creatively across diverse visual media.

Friends of the Festival

FRIENDS OF THE FESTIVAL | STUDENTS YEARS 7-12 | YEARLY | FREE

Friends of the Festival gives students a firsthand opportunity to experience arts industry roles while helping bring a regional arts event to life. During the week-long installation, built on a year of planning, students work alongside staff, artists, and partners to support all stages of preparation, including curatorial tasks, exhibition setup, lighting and spatial design, media documentation, hospitality, front-of-house, visual merchandising, event setup, and signage.

Media Team

MEDIA TEAM | SCHOOL CALENDAR EVENTS AND MARKETING | NO COST | EQUIPMENT PROVIDED BY THE SCHOOL

The Media Team documents key school events, including carnivals, assemblies, special events, performances, and exhibitions, capturing both dynamic moments and polished editorial images that elevate our visual storytelling. Alongside photography and videography, they also produce short films, animations, and creative digital content that enrich school promotions and support major initiatives.

Their work strengthens our publications, enhances the school’s visual identity, and fosters a strong sense of community. Importantly, students gain valuable hands-on experience in journalism, media production, animation, filmmaking, and project management.

Nagoya Art Exchange

NAGOYA SISTER CITY ART EXCHANGE PROGRAM | SCHOOL CALENDAR EVENT | NO COST | MATERIAL PROVIDED BY THE SCHOOL

Creative Arts students are invited to participate in the Nagoya Sister City Art Exchange Program, a long-standing partnership that celebrates artistic collaboration between the Department of Education and Nagoya, Japan. Students contribute artworks that reflect their personal style, cultural identity, and creative learning, sharing their perspectives with an international audience.

This exchange deepens cultural understanding, strengthens artistic communication, and fosters meaningful cross-cultural connections. Selected works are exhibited in Nagoya and later donated to the City of Nagoya’s permanent collection, giving students a rare opportunity to showcase their creativity on an international stage and contribute to an ongoing cultural friendship.

Penrith Open Studio

PENRITH OPEN STUDIO | MONDAY 3:30PM – 5:30PM | NO COST | TERMS 2 AND 3

This opportunity is provided at no cost to students studying in the Penrith region. Places are limited to 20 students.

Penrith Open Studio is a grant-funded youth engagement program that connects young people (ages 12–17) in the Penrith region with the visual arts. Delivered in collaboration with Nepean Creative and Performing Arts High School (NCAPAHS) and Penrith Regional Gallery, Lewers Bequest, the initiative offers a tailored learning experience that supports participants to explore their artistic interests, strengthen critical and creative thinking, and engage with emerging artists and industry professionals. The program includes the development of an exhibition at Penrith Regional Gallery, supported by guided visits and creative sessions throughout the process.