Art and design college to open its doors to future talent

Cleveland College of Art & Design (CCAD) is calling for the next generation of talent to join its creative community at an open day in Hartlepool on Wednesday.

Staff will be on hand to welcome potential students to the college’s university level campus in Church Street and provide information on a variety of degree courses, student accommodation and the application process.

The open event – which runs from 3pm until 7pm – offers activities to help prospective students make choices when it comes to higher education in the arts.

The programme includes talks by principal Martin Raby, and academic staff on degree courses ranging from textiles and photography, to fashion and production design for stage and screen.

CCAD alumni have gone on to achieve success both during and after studies.

Photography degree student Grant Hegedus from Billingham was recognised by the judges of the 2017 Sony World Photography Awards for his work and shortlisted as one of the top ten in the world in the awards’ Professional Still life category.

Eaglescliffe artist Alan Vest, who graduated in 2016 with a degree in Illustration for Commercial Application, is now an illustrator for The Guardian, a role he secured during his course.

And film graduate Kyle Dollard, 23 from Stockton, was recognised at the Royal Television Society’s Yorkshire Student Television Awards. He received the Craft Award in the Comedy and Entertainment category for his camera work on the film Slaps.

Kyle said: “One of the shining moments of the Creative Film and Moving Image degree course was the flexibility, as we had the artistic freedom to do what we want.

“The degree gave me plenty of opportunity to be creative and to pursue what I want to do in my career.”

Visitors to the open day will be able to meet with the course programme leaders and view the department facilities, allowing an opportunity to see a range of student work.

In addition, there will be tours of the campus facilities and student accommodation at Crown Halls in Hartlepool, as well as question and answer sessions by student services on support and finance, and information on employment and enterprise opportunities.

Visitors are encouraged to book in advance, and can select their areas of interest.

Pat Chapman, head of employability and external relations at CCAD, said: “We offer unique courses and the highest quality of art and design teaching, and our creative staff members can guide students through the options available and find the right academic path for them.

“A visit to the campus to meet our student ambassadors also offers a great opportunity to discover the benefits of a specialist art and design college and a friendly, welcoming atmosphere.”

For more information call (01642) 288888 or visit www.ccad.ac.uk