Those considering enrolling in one of CPIT's creative programmes this year will be more than spoilt for choice with the launch of the institute's new Creative Industries Faculty.

The new faculty houses all of CPIT's creative programmes under one portfolio encompassing the Schools of Art & Design, Architectural Studies, Performing Arts and the New Zealand Broadcasting School.Those considering enrolling in one of CPIT's creative programmes this year will be more than spoilt for choice with the launch of the institute's new Creative Industries Faculty.

The new faculty houses all of CPIT's creative programmes under one portfolio encompassing the Schools of Art & Design, Architectural Studies, Performing Arts and the New Zealand Broadcasting School."CPIT has always had a strong group of creative programmes in a range of Creative Industry fields (art, design, music, broadcasting, theatre, circus, film and fashion), but they have generally been split across the institution in a couple of faculties," says Dr Jane Gregg, CPIT's Dean of Creative Industries.

"We've recognised that the Creative Industries are never isolated areas of practice. Artists and creative practitioners tend to work alongside one another on a common project or vision. For example, filmmakers need to work with musicians and actors; fashion designers need musicians to put their designs on the catwalk successfully; artists and designers may need animators on projects, and architects need to know how to do life-drawing. Our tutors and students work closely together now in research projects and industry-based contexts, so it makes sense that CPIT's structure should reflect these synergies, thereby allowing even greater planning and focus on collaboration, cross-programme and School developments," she says.

The Faculty also includes Hairdressing as part of the School of Art & Design (previously housed under Trades), and the School of Performing Arts, previously in the Faculty of Health, Humanities and Science, which has a wide range of exciting programmes on offer including the Jazz School's new degree in Musical Arts with majors in either jazz or popular music, NASDA's highly regarded Bachelor of Performing Arts (Music Theatre) and the popular Diploma in Circus Arts. With numerous qualifications offered in subjects such as architectural studies, interior design, quantity surveying, circus arts, photography, fashion and musical theatre, the culmination of the schools within one faculty not only unifies CPIT's creative offerings, both from an academic and business perspective, but also provides new and existing students with opportunities to work across disciplines on a range of collaborative projects.

"The changes bring together the Schools of Art and Design, Architecture, Broadcasting and Performing Arts into one bigger structure. Things are going to be very exciting as we bring together the talent and vision of our most creative staff into one team," says Gregg.

"We expect that in establishing our Faculty we will be building more focused relationships across the industry fields and disciplines we work with, and strengthening our profile as the Canterbury tertiary educational institution where the creative industries are championed at the highest levels, and in the most innovative ways."

An official event to celebrate the launch of the new faculty will be held for industry, staff and students later this year.

-For more information on CPIT's Creative Industries, call 0800 24 24 76, email info@cpit.ac.nz or see www.cpit.ac.nz