Creative beginning for new School

James Cook University’s new $10 million School of Creative Arts building is taking its first students this week.

About 40 students are undertaking an intensive photo-journalism course in the high-tech new centre at JCU’s Townsville Campus.

The new building has specialist academic and support space for teaching undergraduate and postgraduate programs in Digital Imaging, Digital Media Design and Visual Arts, and Digital Sound and Performance.

The head of the School, Professor Ryan Daniel, who has overseen not only the creation of the new School but a revolution in the courses it offers , said the new facility offered students access to cutting edge spaces for experimentation and exploration, underpinned with a theme reflecting the integration of image, sound, graphic, text

The course is being taught by the current holder of the Vice Chancellor’s Citation for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning, Clive Hutchison.

The award recognises Mr Hutchison’s efforts to engage his students through innovative teaching practices. His teaching philosophy is based on building students’ self-confidence and inspiring them to learn, be adaptable and achieve.

Mr Hutchison is a former professional photographer who joined JCU almost ten years ago. Central to his teaching practice is a commitment to student-centred, industry relevant learning.

Issued July 2, 2008

Contact: JCU Media Liaison, Jim O’Brien 07 4781 4822 or 0418 892449