The overall aim of the programme is to enable the learner to acquire the knowledge, skill and competence to engage in a range of art, craft and design practices and to progress to further and or higher education and training.

This is a one-year course with a requirement to achieve 120 credits. It particularly suits participants that are eager to develop their artistic skills in a wide range of different modules.

If you aspire to a career in the Art and Design field, our course will support you to produce an exciting, competitive and creative art portfolio to help you progress to Art college. Our students have a great track record for progressing to Higher Education at all the major Art colleges and Universities.

You will explore core practical skills including drawing, painting, sculpture and mixed media which are essential skills to prepare you for art colleges. You will use your creative thinking, ideas, style and visual communication throughout the creation of your portfolio.

Our practical projects and exhibitions include opportunities to work with professional artists, and to experience the professional world of art and design.

This course is fundamentally designed to provide students with a portfolio of the highest quality that will attain entry to Art and Design courses at third level both nationally and internationally. The course gives you the opportunity to consider if a future in Art and Design is for you and to choose the college and course that suits you best. It enables students to develop their artistic and observational skills and to explore creativity and personal expression. This course enables direct entry into year 2 in some colleges.

If you can say YES to any one of the following then this may well be the course for you:

• Have you always had an interest in art and would like to learn more?
• Do you enjoy making and designing?
• Do you like to draw and paint?
• Do you want to prepare a portfolio for application to Art & Design Colleges?
• Are you creative & want to try different subjects to find out what you enjoy most?
• Would you like to get hands on experience exploring different materials and crafts like jewellery, woodcraft, weaving and ceramics?
• Like to start a career as an Artist, Craftsperson or Designer?

Should you have the interest and enthusiasm, we have the teachers, coursework and facilities to nurture and grow your talent. We will guide you on your way to a creative career.

Location: Athlone

The overall aim of the programme is to provide the learner with the opportunity to develop the required knowledge, skills and competence in art, craft and design in order to meet the standards set by the awarding body in the award specification for Art, Craft and Design level 5.

Please refer to Programme Descriptor for Programme Objectives. Employment opportunities in this area range from setting up their own small art and craft business to working in areas such as community art, festival events, interior decorating and so on.

If you have artistic talent and want to develop your skills further and/or if you are considering going to art college, Artlink could be the course for you.

The course excels at portfolio preparation for college applications and will aid you in development of a visual creative process unique to you.

The aim of this one year full time course course is to provide the learner with the opportunity to develop skills in a variety of traditional and modern art and craft disciplines including drawing, painting and ceramics as well as working with a variety of materials.

A full-time course in the arts and crafts with a strong emphasis on industry and the economic dimension of creativity.

This is a one year course which introduces students to the basic principles of design through the craft of jewellery making. All modules on the course will link together. Students will use drawing as a source for their designs. These designs will be developed further to suit the materials and techniques applied to create finished pieces. Students will be introduced to working with a range of materials including Wood, Brass, Copper, Aluminium and Silver. Techniques such as piercing, filing, soldering and polishing will also be covered. Combined Materials and Wood Turning is a core part of this course with students learning a wide range of wood craft skills that link in with their designs.

This one-year, NFQ Level 5 (MORNINGS) course is delivered over 5 mornings 9-2.15 which may suit learners who may have other commitments. This course equips the learner with the vocational skills and knowledge to explore and develop skills in fine art and craft disciplines.

Learners will draw and design in sketchbooks and research artists and critique their work. They will experiment with lots of different materials eg, clay, fine art embroidery, mixed media, fabric, printmaking etc. Learners will prepare a portfolio of work which can be used for portfolio assessment for Art College or other courses.