Art Courses
Portfolio Preparation Course for DSA – (Secondary/JC)
About This Course
Portfolio Preparation Course for DSA (Secondary / JC)
For Art Course Enquiry, please email info@visualartscentre.sg OR
Call/WhatsApp us at 62550711
Suitable for learners looking for a foundation training course and portfolio preparation class for DSA secondary and DSA tertiary to enrol in various art schools!
Considering Art Portfolio Preparation for Diploma level and above? Click here to read more!
Click here to read more about portfolio preparation in general!
Art Portfolio Preparation Course for DSA to nurture and develop artistic talent
One might think that building a DSA portfolio is as simple as putting together a few doodles and artworks your kids have done over the years, to submit them to the schools of your choice. However, taking into consideration the increasingly high standards and growing competition of art schools and DSA programmes, only extremely devoted and passionate students will be admitted to the prestigious art and design schools of their choice!
Preparing an art portfolio requires full compliance to particular sets of requirements announced by the respective schools. Direct School Admission, otherwise known as DSA is a special school admission exercise where students are given the opportunity to demonstrate a diverse range of achievements and talents to seek admission to secondary schools or junior colleges. For example, students may apply for DSA under visual arts with a portfolio of artworks that demonstrate the student’s talent and creativity.
Quoting the MOE website
Primary 5 students can apply for DSA-Sec based on a wide-range of talents, including:
- Sports and games
- Visual, literary and performing arts
- Debate and public speaking
- Science, mathematics and engineering
- Languages and humanities
- Uniformed groups
- Leadership (for example, prefects)
The DSA exercise is the only platform and chance for students to impress the admission officers with their good foundational art skills, own sense of style, as well as the rest of their talents. Not only that, successful DSA applicants will have a place reserved for them in their school of choice!
Visual Arts Centre’s Approach
How are we preparing our students in their making of the Art Portfolio?
VISUAL ARTS CENTRE DSA – PORTFOLIO COURSE PROCESS:
Part 1: Training & Development of Professional Art Techniques and Observational Works
Part 1 : FOUNDATION ART TRAINING SESSION- 48 Sessions Foundation Training Course (3 Medium Art Immersion)
At Visual Arts Centre, our goal is to help students to build a strong foundation in visual arts. Students will acquire independence and competency in their individual artistic skills which they will undergo at least a year or more of foundation Art Training at Visual Art Centre. And as time goes by, long-term consistent art training helps instil strong basics of groundwork in the mediums offered such as watercolour painting, acrylic painting, oil painting and Drawing & sketching. With that, students are confident to take up a range of subject matter such as portraiture, still life, landscape, and urban landscape which they are able to produce the required artworks as they develop higher proficiency in their artistic skillset during the years-long art training sessions at Visual Arts Centre.
Our professionally trained instructors will enhance your kid’s artistic skills, ranging from the utmost basics of drawing and sketching to producing their own unique style of artworks over a period of time. These include:
- Development of professional skills and techniques (e.g. drawing and sketching)
- Enhancing observational skills in creating realistic works
- Discovery of students’ own style and voice, inspirations and areas of interest
- Developing students’ thought processes during the creation of their works to create their own unique creative works
We’ve collated admission information from some of the top local and global art schools and broken them down into 3 key criterias:
- Good Foundational Art Skills in Different Mediums
- A Diverse Range of Skills That Showcases Your Unique Style and Capabilities
- Clear Display of Logical Thinking and Development of Artwork
Part 1 of the Art Portfolio Preparation Course for DSA will focus on training and developing the student’s art foundation and techniques. These foundational skills are essential to creating a good portfolio as they serve as the base of every artist’s journey in the professional world. Specifically, students will be trained in:
- Sketching and tonal drawing
- Methods and techniques in creating realistic and observational works
- Other art mediums such as watercolour and acrylic painting
Over the course of 24 sessions, we will emphasize on honing these techniques and thereafter, conduct an assessment after every technique has been taught. This enables us to track our students’ progress and ensure that we are able to identify their weaker areas and spend more time on improving them.
At Visual Arts Centre, we strive to train our students to be well-rounded. This helps them to be more versatile and able to meet the needs of their clients in the future. Or even for themselves, to achieve the most out of their creativity in their own artworks.
Part 2: Development of Artworks with Coaching
Part 2: IDEAS CONCEPTUALISATION & CONSULTATION SESSION (Portfolio – Creative Private Class ) – 4 Sessions
Additionally, upon taking up the Foundation Art Training Course our students are capable to exhibit their strengths in various art subjects that require great technical skills and observational skills. With that, our studio continues to support our students in their creation of art that reflects their individuality and unique style.
Hence in the process of undergoing the year-long training, students can opt for the creative portfolio private class sessions. Where extra guidance and assistance will be given to our students in the private class setting to create a more effective and conducive learning environment for our students who are looking for focus coaching by the teachers at the studio. Students will be arranged on a 1 to 1 session of 2h 30 minutes whereby during the session, our professionally trained instructors with many years of experience in preparing students for portfolio preparation will enhance our student’s artistic skills, ranging from the utmost basics of drawing and sketching to producing their own unique style of artwork over a period of time.
After this focus coaching, constructive feedback is given by the teachers to further hone the art skills of our students which continues to benefit the art learning process of our students and helps them to be a step closer to achieving their art goals.
Our students will be expected to gain an artistic voice and cultivate competency in their art skills and creativity after undergoing the Foundation Art Training Course here at Visual Art Centre.
Part 2 of the Art Portfolio Preparation Course for DSA focuses more on the development of our students’ artworks. This second phase emphasizes creativity and helping our students find their artistic voice and sense of style, to enable them to stand out amongst other applicants.
Our professional instructors will help students to utilize the techniques learnt to create their own unique works of art. Our students will be encouraged to find out their various inspirations, and discover their areas of interest. They will also be aided in developing their thought processes behind making works, to help their works evolve to be more aligned with their own style and voice.
In addition to the development of their artworks, students will also be coached in how to deal with interviews, and improve their presentation skills. Not only are these important for the DSA application process, they can also come in handy for students in other situations in the future.
Overall outlook during the course:
48 sessions – Foundation Art Training Immersion Course
- Development of professional skills and techniques on various medium and art subjects (e.g. Medium – drawing and sketching, Subject – Portraiture)
- Sketching and tonal drawing
- Methods and techniques in creating realistic and observational works
- Other art mediums such as watercolour and acrylic painting
- Enhancing observational skills in creating realistic works
- Reviewing of artworks when nearing to the end of the course or when suitable
Portfolio Creative Coaching Class (1 to 1 session):
- Discovery of students’ own style and voice, inspirations and areas of interest
- Developing students’ thought processes during the creation of their works to create their own unique creative works
Success Stories from our student enrolled in the DSA Portfolio Preparation Course
VAC Portfolio Student Testimonials
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
- Portfolio Preparation with Art Training at Visual Arts Centre
1. Which students are suitable to join us in this Foundation Art Training (DSA)?
- Students who have a strong interest in arts and have been undergoing art classes will be suitable to join us for the year of Art training. As for your artwork to reach a level of maturity you will need a year or more of art training depending on the individual students’ art learning progression. Hence younger students (below 11 years old) will be encouraged to take at least a year or more years of art learning.
2. Will it be compulsory for me to attend the Creative Portfolio Private Sessions?
- The Creative Portfolio Private Sessions will be recommended for students who require further guidance in their creative thought process and direction in preparation for the art portfolio. During the session, our teachers from Visual Arts Centre provide additional tips and professional guidance, especially for students who need clarification on the process of submission and interview section.
3. What is the Age Requirement to attend the Foundation Art Training Portfolio Course?
- Children ages 9 and above are suitable to join the course with at least 2 – 3 years of art training will be recommended for the student to reach a certain level of readiness in producing good artwork when creating a portfolio.
- P5 students keen on joining us for the Foundation Art Training will be advised accordingly depending on the timeline and art maturity attained at the point of registration at Visual Arts Centre.
4. How many artworks will I be able to produce during the sessions?
- Students will be able to produce 10 – 15 artworks in various mediums such as Drawing & Sketching, Watercolour Painting and Acrylic Painting. Depending on individual learners, students will be looking to complete an art piece by the 3rd session from the first session they started the art piece. During the art training, our students will hone different art techniques and skills in various mediums which helps our students to create a strong portfolio with artworks that showcase his/her versatility in the pieces they embarked on.
5. Will I be advised to take up the Foundation Art Training for 1 year if I have some artwork and art learning?
- Should there be a constraint on the timeline for the submission, you may arrange to take up the package that best fits you whereby we would suggest that you take up either our half-year (24 sessions) or less (12 sessions) Art Immersion Course which you are looking to refine and hone specific art skills during the short span of time. After which, you may consider joining our Creative Portfolio Private Class which allows you to have a consultation with our teachers on your existing works.
6. What kind of medium will be required to learn to acquire a basic level of art, and why?
Drawing and sketching takes much practice and patience. When you sketch, you have to concentrate and focus on your work to produce the best outcome. This is especially so, when you are working on a life drawing and sketching piece. When sketching from life, you want to capture all the details of the object and the form in one sitting. Hence, while learning drawing and sketching, you will find yourself being able to focus and work on tasks for longer periods of time – therefore, allowing you to exercise your basic art skills at the same time.
7. How can we select the best artwork as portfolio submission?
- You may opt in for an additional one-to-one private class with any of our professional teachers, who will be able to review all your works and provide suggestions on the works that will stand a better advantage for your portfolio submission.
- In general, we recommend that the portfolio submission should showcase your strength in different areas and a strong grasp of various mediums (acrylic painting, drawing and sketching, watercolour, oil painting, pastel, etc.). It will also be advantageous if you can opt to show how you use the different mediums to work on differing subject matters (landscape paintings, collage, sculpturing, portraiture, etc.).
8. What kind of medium will be required to learn to acquire a basic level of art, and why?
Drawing and sketching takes much practice and patience. When you sketch, you have to concentrate and focus on your work to produce the best outcome. This is especially so, when you are working on a life drawing and sketching piece. When sketching from life, you want to capture all the details of the object and the form in one sitting. Hence, while learning drawing and sketching, you will find yourself being able to focus and work on tasks for longer periods of time – therefore, allowing you to exercise your basic art skills at the same time.
9. How many observational works and creative works are required to be included in the portfolio submission?
- There is no definitive number of observational or creative works required to form the portfolio submission as it is largely dependent on the requirements of your desired art school and course. Hence, we recommend that you check out what is required of the school and course before setting a realistic portfolio aim that we can work with you towards.
- Nevertheless, we recommend to have a balanced portfolio submission that should include similar number of observational and creative works to enable the school and course selection committee’s understanding on your overall art proficiency level.
10. What can I look forward to achieving at the end of the 48 sessions?
Following the end of the 48 sessions we us, you can expect to have at least grasp a basic understanding of the various mediums you have been exposed to throughout the sessions. How different techniques can be applied to a certain specific medium will also be shared to enable an exploratory process of how the artwork can be further enhanced.
REGISTRATION IS OPEN NOW
Registration is now open! (Our Portfolio class will be carried out alongside our regular classes.)
Age Group: Portfolio preparation students, Youths/Adults applying for art schools
Price (All Materials Included):
48 sessions – Foundation Art Training (1 year): $2640
Validity: 50 Weeks
48 Sessions – Foundation Art Training & 4 sessions of Portfolio Creative Coaching (1 year): $3640
Validity: 54 Weeks
72 sessions – Foundation Art Training & 4 sessions of Portfolio Creative Coaching (1.5 years): $4800
Validity: 80 Weeks
Ala carte 4 sessions Portfolio Creative Coaching: $1500
Schedule & Location
Dhoby Ghaut Studio
10 Penang Rd, #01-02 Dhoby Ghaut Green, Singapore 238469
Monday: 11am – 1.15pm | 5pm – 7.15pm | 7.30pm – 9.45pm
Tuesday: 3.30pm – 5.45pm | 3.30pm – 5pm / 4.30pm – 6pm (Creative Kids)
Wednesday: 11am – 1.15pm | 1.30pm – 3.45pm | 5pm – 7.15pm | 7.30pm – 9.45pm (Chinese Ink)
Thursday: 1pm – 3.15pm | 3.30pm – 5.45pm | 7.30pm – 10pm (Portrait/Nude Life Drawing)
Friday: 11am – 1.15pm | 2.30pm – 4.40pm (Digital Painting) From 3 Feb 2023 | 5pm – 7.15pm | 7.30pm – 9.45pm
Saturday: 10.30am – 12.45pm | 1pm – 3.15pm | 3.30pm – 5.45pm | 6.30pm – 8.45pm
Sunday: 11.15am – 12.45pm (Creative Kids) | 1pm – 3.15pm | 3.30pm – 5.45pm
MacPherson Studio
140 Paya Lebar Rd, #03-04 AZ@Paya Lebar, Singapore 409015
Saturday: 10.30am – 12.45pm | 1pm – 3.15pm (To Enquire)
Sunday: 10.30am – 12.45pm | 1pm – 3.15pm (To Enquire) | 3.30pm – 5.45pm (To Enquire)
Contact Us Now:
WhatsApp/Call: 6255 0711
Email: info@visualartscentre.sg
48 Sessions Portfolio Preparation Course for Youths 作品集48节课程 (MacPherson)
$3268
Location Visual Arts Centre MacPherson Studio
Validity
48 Weeks
Ala Carte 4 Sessions Portfolio Coaching Preparation Course (Process) for Diploma and Above 作品集准备私人4节课程 (Dhoby Ghaut)
$1500
Location Visual Arts Centre Dhoby Ghaut Studio
Validity
-
48 sessions Portfolio Preparation Course (Process) for Youths & 4 sessions Portfolio Coaching 作品集准备48节课程 & 4节私人课(MacPherson)
$3640
Location Visual Arts Centre MacPherson Studio
Validity
54 Weeks
72 sessions Portfolio Preparation Course (Process) for Youths & 4 sessions Portfolio Coaching 作品集准备72节课程 & 4节私人课(MacPherson)
$4800
Location Visual Arts Centre MacPherson Studio
Validity
80 Weeks
72 sessions Portfolio Preparation Course (Process) for Youths & 4 sessions Portfolio Coaching 作品集准备72节课程 & 4节私人课(Dhoby Ghaut)
$4800
Location Visual Arts Centre Dhoby Ghaut Art Studio
Validity
80 Weeks
Part 2 – 24 Sessions Portfolio Preparation Course for Youths 作品集24节课程（下）(Dhoby Ghaut)
$1750
Location Visual Arts Centre Dhoby Ghaut Studio
Validity
30 Weeks
48 sessions Portfolio Preparation Course (Process) for Youths & 4 sessions Portfolio Coaching 作品集准备48节课程 & 4节私人课(Dhoby Ghaut)
$3540
Location Visual Arts Centre Dhoby Ghaut Studio
Validity
54 Weeks
You will be redirected to the workshop registration page to fill in your enrollment details after you make payment. By clicking “Buy This Package”, you agree with our terms and conditions. Do note that there is no refund for signups.
Please call/WhatsApp us at 6255 0711
Email us: info@visualartscentre.sg for more enquiries!
All of our courses are conducted in our cozy art studio, which will provide you with a conducive environment to learn with us. Built by the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Singapore, Visual Arts Centre is located in the heart of the Dhoby Ghaut Arts & Heritage precinct, a main tourist destination for experiencing the arts and cultural atmosphere of Singapore. We are also minutes away from several major art institutions, museums and schools. We are a stone’s throwaway from Dhoby Ghaut MRT station and many bus stops, so it is easy for you to navigate to us.
Location: 10 Penang Road, #01-02 Dhoby Ghaut Green, Singapore 238469 (Dhoby Ghaut MRT Exit B, 30 meter, left turn)
Have any queries? Please feel free to contact us at 6255 0711 / 6733 2155 or WhatsApp +65 6255 0711
We can also be contacted via email at info@visualartscentre.sg.
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