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The Extra-Mural/Short
Term Course Department (ESTC) was set up in 1989 to encourage
and initiate the public in art appreciation. Courses such
as basic painting techniques were taught through both practical
and theoretical approaches.However due to the priority of
the Academy's full time diploma courses, ESTC had to make
use of classrooms that are available only in the evenings
and on weekends. Nevertheless, ESTC proved to be popular,
as many working people find the course hours suitable.
In 1997, courses organised by ESTC attracted more than 500
participants.To preserve the interest of the public in ESTC,
a new updated mailing list was implemented. To date, we have
a total of 800 on our mailing list excluding participants
of our courses.
Besides the Academy's fundamental courses such as Basic Drawing
Preparatory
Course in Professional Graphic Design, Preparatory course
in Professional Interior Design, Basic Photography, etc, some
of the greatest attractions came from visiting artists such
as Professor Zhang Fukang from China's renowned Shanghai Museum.
He charmed the participants with a course on Scientific Studies
and Appreciation of Chinese Antique Ceramics.
1998, almost a decade since ESTC was first introduced, would
be a
phenomenal year as we look forward to the result at year's
end. New courses have been planned every month, a regular
art forum will be conducted once every two months, and new
workshops and company -in house programs such as recreational
clubs for employees have also been scheduled.
New courses are now expanded from the School of Visual Arts
(SVA) to the Drama Department and Dance Department from the
School of Performing Arts (SPA). Holiday and vacation courses
designed for both children and adults will be conducted at
the Upper Wilkie Road Campus and new outdoor painting courses
will definitely be an attraction too! As the Multimedia Department
regains its facelift this semester, new IT courses will be
launched in April with more software programmes. IT courses
together with the Graphic and Interior Design courses will
be held at the Short Street Campus. As for Fine Arts Courses,
our principal had invited many more artists. Apart from overseas
artists, we have not at all forgotten about our local adept
artists of whom many are graduates from NAFA.
More workshops have been scheduled for batik-making, printmaking,
sculpture and ceramics. Practical workshops for kindergarten
teachers were also launched this year as recommended by the
National Arts Council. NAFA ESTC is ready to host about three
of these courses yearly.
This year, the company-in-house programmes for individual
organisations that need assistance in art appreciation courses
were started. For such
programmes, an experienced lecturer will teach at the organisation's
designated premises and ESTC will be responsible in recommending
a suitable lecturer as well as providing consultations and
the course structure.
Art forums and talks will be scheduled once every two months.
So far most of the talks were conducted in Mandarin. There
will be more bilingual
arrangements with due consideration of the topic and its relatedn
culture. The effort to make the talks free of charge not only
amplify our genuine enthusiasm in providing the public with
a taste of art, but also to generate the interest of the public
to acquire art appreciation as part and parcel of Singapore's
lifestyle.
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