The Toi Whakaari Bachelor of Performing Arts (Design) is a practical programme that equips tauira with essential skills in design for live performance, screen arts, and other media. The curriculum includes set design, costume design, and other performance design modalities. Tauira are supported to develop critical thinking and ideation skills to create work that expands and challenges traditional notions of performance in the 21st century. The programme is delivered across a range of design specific and interdisciplinary learning opportunities. There is a focus on collaboration and building working relationships that reflect industry practice. Mātauranga Māori is a key part of the BPA programme and holds specific focus across Year 1 and Year 2 of the programme. Robust engagement with industry practice, performing arts ecology and professional practice is fostered in pathways courses in each semester. Students will engage in rangahau and research aligned with creative practice and will have opportunities to apply skills to a wide range of new and existing works. This specialisation takes a small cohort of up to 12 students a year to ensure high levels of individualised learning and opportunities. *Pending NZQA approval.
Toi Whakaari is excited to announce the launch of its new Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPA) with endorsements in Design, Production and Acting.
This unique and revitalised programme provides the same essential training that has always been offered by Toi Whakaari across a range of performance related disciplines.
This core learning is now supported by a new groundbreaking learning model designed to provide students with a range of skills and ways of working that are contemporary, relevant and aligned to the rapidly evolving landscape of creative and performing arts in Aotearoa and beyond.
The BPA programme draws on the commitment of Toi Whakaari to consistently employ processes and structures which can be recognised as uniquely of Aotearoa New Zealand, upholding the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Toi Whakaari is excited to announce the launch of its new Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPA) with endorsements in Design, Production and Acting.
This unique and revitalised programme provides the same essential training that has always been offered by Toi Whakaari across a range of performance related disciplines.
This core learning is now supported by a new groundbreaking learning model designed to provide students with a range of skills and ways of working that are contemporary, relevant and aligned to the rapidly evolving landscape of creative and performing arts in Aotearoa and beyond.
The BPA programme draws on the commitment of Toi Whakaari to consistently employ processes and structures which can be recognised as uniquely of Aotearoa New Zealand, upholding the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Toi Whakaari is excited to announce the launch of its new Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPA) with endorsements in Design, Production and Acting.
This unique and revitalised programme provides the same essential training that has always been offered by Toi Whakaari across a range of performance related disciplines.
This core learning is now supported by a new groundbreaking learning model designed to provide students with a range of skills and ways of working that are contemporary, relevant and aligned to the rapidly evolving landscape of creative and performing arts in Aotearoa and beyond.
The BPA programme draws on the commitment of Toi Whakaari to consistently employ processes and structures which can be recognised as uniquely of Aotearoa New Zealand, upholding the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
The Bachelor of Performing Arts is delivered through a range of learning opportunities including workshops, classes, studio-based training, wānanga, self-directed exercises, tutorials, masterclasses, industry placements and practical work on performance and independent projects.
The table below provides a brief overview of BPA courses including course code, name, credit value and Level. Please note ALL courses are compulsory.
Design
Year 1: Semester 1
Design
Year 1: Semester 2
Design
Year 2: Semester 1
Design
Year 2: Semester 2
Design
Year 3: Semester 1
Design
Year 3: Semester 2
Design
Step One:
A: Complete our Online Application Form.
B: Digital Portfolio Your portfolio should showcase your creativity and artistic potential. It can be uploaded or linked to your application or emailed to apply@toiwhakaari.ac.nz (by October 17 at the latest).
We encourage you to include at least five pieces of work that highlight your artistic skills. A strong portfolio will demonstrate both your creative process and final outcomes, showing us how you conceptualise, develop, and refine ideas through visual languages.
While your work does not need to be limited to live or film productions, we’re looking for pieces that reflect your passion for the arts and your ability to think creatively. You could include work from school assignments, professional and community projects, or personal artistic pursuits.
You might include:
Please include a short note for each piece, telling us about:
We’re excited to see how you express your ideas visually!
Step Two:
A: Interview
Each applicant will be interviewed for approximately 25 minutes.
Options for Interviews: While we encourage you to visit the Kura in person and experience our space, we completely understand that this may be a big ask depending on where you are coming from. We offer in-person or online interviews.
All online interviews will take place via Microsoft Teams. A link to be provided prior to the interview.
Interviews are conducted by Programme Kaiako. We aim to create a welcoming atmosphere for your interview. It’s an opportunity for us to have a conversation, get to know each other and learn about your ambitions. Questions will be fairly informal, and we are simply looking forward to hearing about your ideas and aspirations. The questions we are likely to ask are about your goals, the type of work you're interested in creating and how you like to learn.
Successful Applicants:
Successful applicants will be notified by email with an Offer of Place within 2 weeks of an interview taking place.
Indicative Design Content and Opportunities
Design content and opportunities across the 3 years of training may include; practical design skills – manual and digital, conceptualisation and visualisation of costume and production design, design technology labs, critical studies – analysis of screen and live arts, assistant designer and lead design on in-house productions, exhibition, industry practice and internships, rangahau and research, måtauranga måori.
Can include but not exclusive to:
