Creative Arts

The Creative Arts program at Nepean Creative and Performing Arts High School is vibrant and diverse, providing students with a rich understanding of artistic practice. Students will engage in educational lectures, hands-on experiences, and exhibitions with renowned and highly successful Australian artists, designers, photographers, architects, engineers, fashion designers, sustainable artists, and innovative thinkers. These interactions fuel our students' aspirations and provided them with the momentum to achieve in the creative arts field.

Our students are also provided the opportunity to showcase their talents in the Nepean Festival of Arts and Design. Since 2022 this annual exhibition has celebrated the works of emerging and professional artists, photographers, designers, and tertiary students from Penrith, Blue Mountains, and Hawkesbury.

From 2016 to 2023, we have had 9 Selected Art Express candidates, 26 artworks in the DOE Nagoya Art Exchange, 20 winners and selections for the NSW Reconciliation Challenge, 2 Young Archie finalist, 9 finalists and 2 regional winners in Penrith Regional Gallery's Youth Art competition, the HOPE Butterflies Installation at NSW Parliament House, and a Penrith Young Innovators Award. We have also secured grants such as the Artist Insight Blue Mountains Cultural Centre 2020, DET Arts Priority Grant Deadly Arts 2023, and DET Arts Funding for the Nepean Festival of Arts and Design 2023.

The spirit of creativity runs deep in our school, enriching the events, experiences, achievements, and innovations of our students, community, and society.

Skills developed

Visual design and composition skills
Digital media and technology use
Creative problem-solving
Independent project management
Artistic self-expression
Collaboration and team work

Performance/Exhibition opportunities

School art exhibitions and showcases
Community art events and competitions
Cross-disciplinary arts festivals
Digital media presentations
Intensive studio practice
Artists in Residence

Assessment styles

Portfolios of practical work
Written reflection and art criticism
Group creative projects
Presentation of completed artworks

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

Pathways to senior Visual Arts or Creative Arts, tertiary study in design, fine arts, media production, and careers in creative industries including illustration, film, animation, Curatorial and Museum Studies, Education, Community Cultural Development, Professional Artist and graphic design.

Extra-curricular

Creative Arts