CPIT has launched its new summer portfolio of courses and workshops designed to enlighten those interested in the arts.

Aptly named The Big Arts Experience, the community arts programme is designed to bring together people from all walks of life and levels of experience and ability to enjoy developing skills and confidence in the arts.CPIT has launched its new summer portfolio of courses and workshops designed to enlighten those interested in the arts.

Aptly named The Big Arts Experience, the community arts programme is designed to bring together people from all walks of life and levels of experience and ability to enjoy developing skills and confidence in the arts.Programme coordinator, Heather Clark, says the Big Arts Experience is a community-focussed programme that offers vibrant, multi-faceted and creative learning opportunities.

"The Big Arts Experience courses recognise the diversity of the people who make up our community, and encourage people to come along and learn in a way that is relevant to them and to 'own' their own learning experience on their own terms. The subjects offered currently represent niche interest areas for people who perhaps might miss out on pursuing their interests, career paths, and lifestyle choices," she says.

There are programmes designed for youth, mature learners, people interested in creative expression, business skills relating to the music industry and to the arts worlds, and those interested in technical skills such as using live sound equipment.

This is an ideal opportunity to make the most of the summer holidays by trying something innovative and different and, with all courses starting from just $15, The Big Arts Experience is just too good to miss.

Highlights include African Heart Beat Drumming, Exploring Theatre and its Environment, Graffiti Art, Grassroots Publishing, Turntablism & DJing and Creating Cash as an Arts Practitioner plus many more.

Olli Ricken, tutor for the Circus Project programme, says the Big Arts Experience is an ideal opportunity for adults to try out new skills in a very supportive way, for a very low cost.

"At this stage, where else in Christchurch or in the South island can adults learn trapeze, unicycling tight wire or stilt walking and many more circus skills just for fun in an organised course? Also, through learning new and somewhat 'scary' skills (with clowning being one of the scariest) and putting on a little performance at the end of my courses, the participants stretch their personal comfort zones a little to a lot. The most common words in the course are: "Wow, I never thought I could do that."" she says.

Kate Spencer, tutor of the Creative Product Development and Creating Cash as an Arts Practitioner programme, believes the Big Arts Experience is a wonderful opportunity to ignite an enthusiasm for a new hobby or interest.

"I think it is the idea of sampling something completely new that makes the Big Arts Experience stand out. I get people coming to my courses in professional development that have just tried something in a new creative field and fallen in love with it," she says.

"They are excited to have discovered that they really want to get more serious about an area they have never tried previously, and may not even have been aware existed. The Big Arts Experience is a terrific opportunity to have a go. What better way to try something than a short commitment to learn something in a safe environment, with minimal cost?"

Through The Big Arts Experience people will gain an insight into community grassroots and professional arts practice, enjoy learning something new and expand on past creative skills.

Come along to the Big Arts Experience, enrich your creativity and surprise yourself!
Enrolments are now being taken for each course, so be in quick to secure your spot. For more information or to enrol call (03) 940 8448 or see www.cpit.ac.nz/bigae.

25/11/08