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 A different invited editor will curate the features page each month. This will give a different insight into a wide range of educational opportunities, research within the creative industries, critical discourse and continuing professional development that exist in the north east of Scotland. This page will change in terms of format and outlook depending on the approach taken by the guest features editor. It may for example be: a magazine page; a research paper; film clips or a critical review. There will also be an archive of past features. If you would like to be considered as a guest features editor then please contact us at info@creativeculturescotland.co.uk
To view more education related features click on: education feature archive
 Study online with the Studio Art School
Established in September 2004, the Studio Art School is the brainchild of four former further education managers who have developed the UKs first online art school. One the directors, Arlene Stewart explains, "We wanted to provide an alternative means of study for those students who find difficulty in accessing traditional, studio, school or college based art and design courses". Foremost in the minds of the team is the quality of the learning experience. "From the outset our goal was to look at an effective and enjoyable means of teaching traditional skills to those studying the visual arts", she continues. "And this is the key to our online system; it is the method of delivery that is innovative, not the teaching and learning process or ultimately, the skills acquired by the student". The result is a fast, efficient and effective educational experience that is set to revolutionise the teaching of practical art and design. According to Arlene, "With the Studio Art School, everything is online. Unlike traditional distance learning courses, there is no need to rely on postal, telephone or email communication. Each student is given access to their own, personal online studio where they can download learning materials and communicate with their tutors at any time, simply by logging on". 
Studio Art School students use a digital camera to photograph and upload their work at every stage of its development through to completion, enabling their tutors to guide their progress and give practical advice as they work through a series of activities and projects. "It couldnt be simpler", according to fellow director, John Watson. "Students can log on at home, during breaks at work or while they are travelling. Students dont need a Broadband connection or any specialist software. In fact, they dont even need their own computer they can work from a library, study centre or cyber caf. And there are no time restrictions; students can communicate with their tutor whenever they want to". The Studio Art School has produced a range of courses in Drawing, Painting, Fashion Design, Mixed Media, Creative Sketchbooks and Foundation Studies. The school has also gained national approval for their programmes of study from the City and Guilds of London Institute and from ABC Awards, one of the leading awarding bodies in the UK. Studio Art School is one of only three online centres approved by City and Guilds and are the only centre in the United Kingdom approved to offer the Level 3 Diploma in Foundation Studies (Art and Design) by distance learning. 
The Foundation Diploma is widely recognised by universities, colleges and art providers across the UK as the standard entry qualification for degree level courses in Art and Design. The Studio Art Schools online provision enables domestic and international students who were previously unable to access the programme of learning by traditional means, an alternative means of study. This has proved popular with students from around the world. To date, the school have dealt with students from 32 countries. The Studio Art School method of communication enables student and tutor to converse by means of a personal message board located within the students personal studio area. Advice, guidance and comment on everything from work in progress to UCAS application procedures are discussed and recorded in an area called; "My Tutorial". These conversations are stored for future reference, providing both student and tutor with a complete history of their interaction. "The advantage being that both parties know what has been offered by way of comment and advice during the teaching and learning relationship", says Watson. "Should a student shoot off on a particularly unproductive tangent, we can easily bring them back to where things started to go wrong by referring to the appropriate image", says John. The Studio Art School team are aware that many of their students may not have access to dedicated studio facilities. "All our demonstrations are conducted and photographed on a standard kitchen table", says Arlene. "As many of our students do not have a space to work that is exclusive to them or a great deal of specialist equipment, we aim to cater to those who need a flexible approach to their learning, who have limited access to their working area and an equally limited budget for materials". "For many of our students, our provision is just the thing they have been looking for and they are delighted to have found us", says John. "Often potential students have been frustrated by the lack of any viable alternative to attendance based courses". 
A recent and typical comment from a UK student reads; "Since starting the course I have found everything very useful and it has helped me enormously to be structured in my studies and more disciplined. The feedback from the tutors has been useful with constructive comments that have helped me to develop my skills". The Schools target student groups include those in rural communities, those with irregular patterns of employment, single and working parents, adult returners to education and carers. The directors of the Studio Art School are establishing partnerships with a growing number of the countrys leading universities and art colleges, "Our focus", says John, "is on enabling students to gain progression to higher level study. The UK has an enviable reputation for the quality of its Art and Design provision and we are determined to make access to that provision available to everyone. The key to that is working closely with the institutions themselves, and we are proud to be working with Grays School of Art at the Robert Gordon University". The agreement means students can progress onto degree or masters courses at Grays after completing foundation or bridging courses online. 
Studio Art School director Michael Stewart said: "We are delighted to have signed this agreement. Gray's School of Art is recognised as one of the UKs most prestigious art institutions, and has an international reputation". He added: "This agreement is designed to open up new progression routes for those who face difficulties accessing appropriate programmes of study at a school or college, either through personal circumstances or because they live in more remote locations. It will also provide opportunities for overseas students seeking entry to Degree and Masters courses at Gray's". An added advantage for Scottish students is the opportunity to apply for an I.L.A (Individual Learning Account) through the Studio Art Schools partnership with Lochaber College, which enables those who fulfil the criteria to access up to 200 of funding towards a Level 1 course. Applicants who feel they may be eligible can find further information on the Studio Art School website. Now in their fourth year of operation, the directors of the Studio Art School feel that they have established online delivery as a viable method of teaching practical art and design. Currently, they are engaged in a series of online seminars with British Council offices in Russia, Japan and the U.S.A. each designed to provide an opportunity for international students interested in studying art & design in the UK, with the means to communicate directly with experienced practitioners who can offer guidance, help and advice. "The web is a fantastic educational tool", says Arlene, "now no one need feel disadvantaged by distance or circumstance; students can study the courses they want, when they want them, and at a cost that is affordable to all. As the UKs only provider of nationally approved art and design courses online, the Studio Art School is offering the opportunity to make 2007 the year you take up a new interest, develop existing skills or plan to apply to art college or university". For more information about the Studio Art School and their courses, you can contact Arlene Stewart at; Studio Art School
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