The Toi Whakaari Bachelor of Performing Arts (Design) is a practical programme that equips tauira with essential skills in design for live performance, screen arts, and other media. The curriculum includes set design, costume design, and other performance design modalities. Tauira are supported to develop critical thinking and ideation skills to create work that expands and challenges traditional notions of performance in the 21st century. The programme is delivered across a range of design specific and interdisciplinary learning opportunities. There is a focus on collaboration and building working relationships that reflect industry practice. Mātauranga Māori is a key part of the BPA programme and holds specific focus across Year 1 and Year 2 of the programme. Robust engagement with industry practice, performing arts ecology and professional practice is fostered in pathways courses in each semester. Students will engage in rangahau and research aligned with creative practice and will have opportunities to apply skills to a wide range of new and existing works. This specialisation takes a small cohort of up to 12 students a year to ensure high levels of individualised learning and opportunities.
The Bachelor of Performing Arts is delivered through a range of learning opportunities including workshops, classes, studio-based training, wānanga, self-directed exercises, tutorials, masterclasses, industry placements and practical work on performance and independent projects.
The table below provides a brief overview of BPA courses including course code, name , code, credit value and Level. Please note ALL courses are compulsory.
Design
Year 1: Semester 1
Design
Year 1: Semester 2
Design
Year 2: Semester 1
Design
Year 2: Semester 2
Design
Year 3: Semester 1
Design
Year 3: Semester 2
Step One:
A: Complete our Online Application Form,
Mihimihi Introduction Info:
Your Mihimihi Introduction is an opportunity for us to get to know you. It could include things like:
You should aim for around 300 words, be succinct! You can type your response into the application form or send us the link to an audio or video (please note: ALL international applicants MUST submit their Mihimihi Introduction as a video).
B: Digital Portfolio Your portfolio should showcase your creativity and artistic potential.
We encourage you to include at least five pieces of work that highlight your artistic skills. A strong portfolio will demonstrate both your creative process and final outcomes, showing us how you conceptualise, develop, and refine ideas through visual languages.
While your work does not need to be limited to live or film productions, we’re looking for pieces that reflect your passion for the arts and your ability to think creatively. You could include work from school assignments, professional and community projects, or personal artistic pursuits.
You might include:
Please include a short note for each piece, telling us about:
We’re excited to see how you express your ideas visually!
Only successful applicants will proceed to Step Two.
Step Two:
A: Interview
Each applicant will be interviewed for approximately 25 minutes.
Options for Interviews: While we encourage you to visit the Kura in person and experience our space, we completely understand that this may be a big ask depending on where you are coming from. We offer in-person or online interviews.
All online interviews will take place via Microsoft Teams. A link to be provided prior to the interview.
Interviews are conducted by Programme Kaiako. We aim to create a welcoming atmosphere for your interview. It’s an opportunity for us to have a conversation, get to know each other and learn about your ambitions. Questions will be fairly informal, and we are simply looking forward to hearing about your ideas and aspirations. The questions we are likely to ask are about your goals, the type of work you're interested in creating and how you like to learn.
Successful Applicants:
Successful applicants will be notified by email with an Offer of Place within 2 weeks of an interview taking place.
Indicative Design Content and Opportunities
Design content and opportunities across the 3 years of training may include; practical design skills – manual and digital, conceptualisation and visualisation of costume and production design, design technology labs, critical studies – analysis of screen and live arts, assistant designer and lead design on in-house productions, exhibition, industry practice and internships, rangahau and research, måtauranga måori.
Can include but not exclusive to:
“Since graduating in 2007 and completing a Masters of Design in 2010 I have worked as a freelance performance designer and director on projects that include live art, contemporary theatre, video, projection and installation design.”
Meg Rollandi, Graduate 2007, Masters 2010
- Lecturer in Spatial Design
College of Creative Arts,
Massey University
"My time studying at Toi Whakaari allowed me to not only further my craft in scenography and design but also to work alongside performers, technicians and directors. It was an invaluable experience to be able to develop collaborative relationships in this early stage of my career and be guided along the way by experienced teachers and practitioners. The relationships fostered in my time here are still a huge part of my practice and will stay with me for years to come."
Rowan Pierce, Graduate 2009
- Sound and Spatial Designer
"I would describe Toi Whakaari as a playground for artists. It’s a three-year opportunity to be grounded in a space with equipment, books, spaces, experienced staff and guest tutors and, most importantly, peers who can be collaborators, critics, mentors and examples of success and failure. In its prime the design degree is a mix of diverse crafts, where you learn through experience and through each other. The design degree deals especially with developing one’s process and self awareness through practical applications, which have proved to be invaluable skills."
Elekis Poblete Teirney, Graduate 2018
- Lighting Designer
