Nordland College of Art and Film offers a two-year vocational course in film and a two-year vocational course in visual arts.
Upon finishing their education many of the students move on to institutions of higher education - academies and universities within the fields of visual arts, architecture, or film. Others go directly to work on film production sets or begin their artist related work. The college has an excellent track record.
Nordland College of Art and Film aims to give students the broadest possible knowledge and understanding of visual art and / or film. Both courses aim to stimulate the students' visual, sensory and intellectual consciousness and sharpen their curiosity for the diversity of the visual art professions and creative art processes. The school is founded on a project-based pedagogy. The students follow various courses, where the practical and theoretical understandings of visual and filmic problems are of the main importance. Throughout the education, the focus is put on experiments and investigations of ideas and techniques, while the students simultaneously work on their own independent art projects and short films. Public art exhibitions in the college's own gallery and public screenings of films are common.
Two-year vocational course in visual art.
The students are introduced to a multitude of visual impressions and techniques during their first year of study. The education is process oriented and emphasises experimentation with ideas and techniques in the fields of drawing, painting, printing/graphics, photography, video art, sculpture, space and installation.
The college employs different artists and guest teachers for each course. During the second year, the education shifts between intensive courses and periods of independent work, during which the students receive individual supervision from professional artists.
Two-year vocational course in film.
At the film department the students learn to make their own short films through an introduction to the nature of film and film technical matters. All aspects of a film production are shed light upon during the first year: different genres, forms and styles.
The students are introduced to general narrative techniques and use of technical tools, and they are offered courses on drama - and documentary.
During the second year the education shifts between subject specific courses and the students' production of their own short films. The film students get courses and individual supervision in the fields of script/ creative processes, directing, photo/light, cutting and sound.
Every single student directs his own film, during the production of which he employs other film students for other film technical functions. All production takes place under the supervision of professional filmmakers. Originality, filmic distinctiveness and narration are central.
Study-/field trips.
Every year the college arranges compulsory study trips to one of Europe's artistic capitals. These trips have in recent years shifted between London and Berlin. The film students also attend Tromsø International Film Festival (TIFF), further north in Norway. The students take part in planning and organising the travels and cover their own travel expenses.
Public approval.
The college is approved by NOKUT (The Norwegian national board for quality in education), and is owned by Nordland County Council. There is no private tuition fee. Norwegian students are entitled to apply for government funding/student loans at Statens lånekasse - Norway's public fund for student grants and loans.