Year 9 Visual Arts is more than just drawing and painting. It's a creative journey that boosts your problem-solving skills, improves your communication, and helps you think critically. You'll explore diverse cultures and learn to appreciate the world around you, all while gaining confidence and self-esteem. Plus, these skills are a huge asset, whether you're considering a career in the arts or aiming to enrich other subjects with your creative approach.

What You'll Study in Semester 1:

Visual Art 1: Drawing, Painting (watercolour), Photography, Sculpture

Visual Art 1 and Visual Art 2 are designed to be taken together. Please see the section entitled Visual Art 2 for the second part of the Visual Art course, which runs in semester 2. Visual Art 2 includes Drawing, Painting (acrylic), Printmaking, and Design.

Drawing and developing ideas is considered fundamental to the study of art and is given considerable emphasis at this level. It's not about being a perfect artist, but about learning to think visually—using both traditional tools and digital technology, such as a camera, to brainstorm, plan, and create. You'll use drawing as a way to explore your ideas, whether you're working on a detailed sculpture, a vibrant painting, or a compelling photograph. We'll look at how artists from New Zealand and around the world have used these skills to shape their work.

Studying both Visual Art 1 and Visual Art 2 provides the foundation for Year 10 Visual Art and Year 10 Design & Photography. This leads into Year 11 Visual Art and Year 11 Design and Photography, further specialisations at Years 12 and 13 (see Art subjects flowchart below), and tertiary study in a range of subjects including Architecture, Industrial Design, Product Design, Fashion, Typographic, Interior or Graphic Design, Advertising, Digital Photography, Fine Arts, and Art History.

Course Costs

Stationery costs will range from $10.00 to $35.00, depending on the equipment a student already has.

Please be aware that this course has associated costs. By selecting this course, you will be requested to make contributions connected to its delivery. These costs for specialist art materials are: $30.00 for the year, or $15 per semester.

Each student will receive print credit for completed work. For all extra printing, students will need to purchase print credit. Each student will also be provided with access to Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign).