Night classes
Night classes run throughout the year regularly in short blocks. They are usually in the evening but we have some day classes too. They are a chance to develop new skills, refresh familiar ones, or simply enjoy doing what you love. They are not assessed but you can gain skills that may lead you toward qualifications. We have a wide range of subjects so explore the website and pick from what is on offer.
Drawing with confidence night class (held in Wanaka)
- Wanaka
- One weekly session per term*
- Starts Various*
- Apply anytime
Explore art methods and media, learn new skills, discover what you enjoy most and develop creative ideas!
Life Drawing night class
- Dunedin School of Art
- One weekly session per term*
- Starts Various*
- Apply anytime
The aim of this class is to expand your perception and ability to express that perception through drawing.
Introduction to Jewellery night class
- Dunedin School of Art
- One weekly session per term*
- Starts Various*
- Apply anytime
Jewellery classes will have a different skill focus per term. These may include basic ring making or using resin for colour, translucency and embedding.
Introduction to Photography night class
- Dunedin School of Art
- One weekly session per term*
- Starts Various*
- Apply anytime
Learn the basics of digital photography! Great for beginners that are looking to get control of the technical aspects of their camera. The course also covers Adobe Bridge, Adobe Photoshop, a Darkroom Taster, Digital Scanning and Printing.
Introduction to Printmaking night class
- Dunedin School of Art
- One weekly session per term*
- Starts Various*
- Apply anytime
We deal with printed images every day. Anything that is made in a reproducible format is a print; photocopies, posters, photographs etc. This class teaches a process-based approach to making prints.
Jewellery night class
- Dunedin School of Art
- One weekly session per term*
- Starts Various*
- Apply anytime
Jewellery classes will have a different skill focus per term. These may include basic ring making or using resin for colour, translucency and embedding.
Photography night class
- Dunedin School of Art
- One weekly session per term*
- Starts Various*
- Apply anytime
Time to start crafting your photos!! This class is great for those that have completed the Introduction to Photography course and want to add to the skills they have previously learned. It is also ideal for those who are confident with the setting of their camera but would like to work on the composition of their images. This course covers Composition, Lighting (in the lighting studio), Adobe Bridge, Adobe Photoshop, a Darkroom Taster, Digital Scanning and Printing.
Printmaking night class
- Dunedin School of Art
- One weekly session per term*
- Starts Various*
- Apply anytime
This class teaches a process-based approach to making art, covering the technical aspects of printmaking, looking at how the processes and functions inform the strategy of making art; at how the medium or technique exists as the means to realise an idea. It is suitable for those with prior printmaking experience.
Ceramics night class
- Dunedin School of Art
- One weekly session per term*
- Starts Various*
- Apply anytime
The Dunedin School of Art at Otago Polytechnic has the largest ceramics department in New Zealand. Benefit from an emphasis on hands-on experimentation in clay-making workshops.
Introduction to Ceramics night class
- Dunedin School of Art
- One weekly session per term (Tuesday or Friday, 6.00pm-8.00pm)*
- Starts Various*
- Apply anytime
The Dunedin School of Art at Otago Polytechnic has the largest ceramics department in New Zealand. Benefit from an emphasis on hands-on experimentation in clay-making workshops.
Digital Painting night class
- Dunedin School of Art
- One weekly session per term*
- Starts Various*
- Apply anytime
Digital Painting has become a key element within the film and game industry's developmental pipeline. In an industry that continues to grow, the ability to draw and paint digitally has become essential. If you have an imagination and a passion for film and games, why not give it go. In this course, you will learn the fundamentals of Digital Painting in Photoshop.
Introduction to Painting night class
- Dunedin School of Art
- One weekly session per term*
- Starts Various*
- Apply anytime
These classes will explore the material language of acrylic paint. Emphasis will be on your discovery of mark-making through painterly experimentation and play. Each lesson has a different theme. Classes are suitable for beginners.
Painting night class
- Dunedin School of Art
- One weekly session per term*
- Starts Various*
- Apply anytime
These classes will explore the material language of acrylic paint. Emphasis will be on your discovery of mark-making through painterly experimentation and play. Each lesson has a different theme. Classes are suitable for those with previous experience.
Sculpture night class
- Dunedin School of Art
- One weekly session per term*
- Starts Various*
- Apply anytime
Want to learn how to build forms and figures in clay? This night class will introduce you to the hand building techniques of pinching, coiling and slab building. The workshop is ideal for those with no previous clay experience but also for those who have some experience with clay.
Textiles Art night class
- Dunedin School of Art
- One weekly session per term*
- Starts - various*
- Apply anytime
Explore a variety of techniques associated with textiles and develop the skills and ability to translate these to fabric through a textiles-based project.
How to enrol?
Cut down on the time it takes to enrol each term, by enrolling in more than one term at a time, or for the whole year. You will only be required to pay for one term at a time.
To enrol online, and for information on all our night classes, visit http://www.op.ac.nz/study/creative/art/night-classes/
To enrol in person, visit Customer Services at Otago Polytechnic, in the Main Entrance on Forth St, where staff will assist you with completing an application form.
Confirmation: We will then confirm your enrolment by emailing your invoice to you - if you don't receive an invoice within a week, check your junk/spam email boxes or contact the Student Administrator on 0800 762 786.
Can I cancel my enrolment?
Please let us know before the start of term if you are not able to attend class. Due to many students enrolling, but then not attending class, there will be a $25 admin fee charged for not showing up. This is causing students to miss out on classes which are full.
Where do I go?
The Dunedin School of Art is located in Riego Street which is accessible off Albany Street. A campus map is located here https://www.op.ac.nz/students/campuses/dunedin/map/
What time does my class start?
Most classes start at 6pm and end at 8pm. Introduction to Photography classes on Wednesdays are 4pm to 6pm, and 6.30pm to 8.30pm. Please arrive 5 minutes early to allow time to set up.
What do I need to bring, and where do I purchase supplies?
Look under the ‘Materials’ tab for what to bring to class. Art Zone and Warehouse Stationary are the 2 main art supplies shops in Dunedin. Art Zone http://www.art-zone.co.nz/home.php is located in Hanover St, and Warehouse Stationery https://www.warehousestationery.co.nz/ is at 398 Cumberland St, and 205 Anderson Bay Rd.
Some specialised materials can be bought from your tutor in class. Feel free to bring images that you would like to use in your work.
Please note: if you can’t find a particular material, ask your tutor about it during the first class.
What level do I need to be at to do the non-Introduction classes?
If you have a small amount of previous experience in a subject you can do the non-Introduction class. If you are in doubt, it is best to do the Introduction class in a subject; and it never hurts to go over the basics. After doing the Introduction class for one term, you can progress to the non-Introduction class the following term.
Do classes build on previous lessons from term to term? Or do they repeat the same content each term?
There is a mix of new information each term, for those who are doing the same class all year, but also a repeat of the same class each term for those attending for the first time. You can start a class at the beginning of any of the 4 terms. In many subjects, you can progress from the Introduction class to the non-Introduction class. Many students attend Art Night Classes in order to work on their own projects, with individual attention and guidance from the tutor.
Do I have to be a current tertiary student to do Night Classes? Do I have to pay international fees?
Art night classes are open to everyone in the community, students and public alike. There is no extra fee for international students. The Art Night Classes do not result in a qualification.
I am a high school student, does my enrolment in this night class effect my eligibility for FeesFree?
In the case of the Art night classes, no it does not. Our classes are offered at Level 1 whereas FeesFree only takes into account anything at Level 3 or higher.
My child is 14 and wants to do a Night Class. Is there an age limit?
Because we are a tertiary institution, students under 16 need to have a letter of permission from their high school principal (also signed by a parent), or parent if home-schooled. Classes are designed for students 16 years and over, so students under 16 will need to be good at working independently to get the most out of Night Classes. Students under 13 years old are not eligible to do night classes.
I would like to withdraw, can my friend take my place?
We can definitely remove you from this class and your friend is welcome to apply for the same class however there may be a waitlist or other students who have applied first. We manage a first in first served process so unfortunately cannot guarantee your friend your spot.
Can I start the class after the start date?
It is fine to start a class in the second or third week of term, having missed the first one or two classes, provided there is an available space in the class. You will still be charged the full fee. If you have missed 3 classes, that is generally too late to start.
It is a public holiday. Is my night class still on?
There are no classes on public holidays.
It is snowing. Is my night class on?
Go to the Otago Polytechnic website homepage https://www.op.ac.nz If Polytechnic is closed due to snow, or for any other reason, your class is cancelled for that night.