As New Zealand's leading private tertiary arts and design institution, Whitecliffe College of Arts and Design is proud of its record of delivering quality teaching and innovation over the past 30 years.
History of College
1982
Greg and Michele Whitecliffe develop their vision for the school. Original meeting of Founding Faculty (October 12th).
1983
Whitecliffe Art School opened in Parnell, New Zealand. Diploma Courses registered with the Department of Education. Incorporated as Whitecliffe Enterprises, Ltd.
1985
Operations extended to four satellite buildings. Full-time Diploma course introduced.
1986
Moved to the Trinity College campus in Grafton, Auckland. Two and three-year Diploma courses introduced. Approval received to admit overseas students. Graphic Design and Interior Design programmes begun.
1988
Fashion and Landscape Design Departments established.
1990
Name changed to Whitecliffe College of Arts & Design. First Baccalaureate students.
1992
Whitecliffe receives Government EFTS funding. Students become eligible for Student Loans.
1993
Academic Cooperation Agreements with University of North Dakota and Texas Christian University (both USA). Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree Programme approved.
1994
Academic Cooperation Agreements with Winchester School of Art (UK) and Waikato University Language Institute.
1995
Preparatory Certificate approval granted. Prepared the bid for Auckland to host the 1999 convention of the International Council of Fine Arts Deans (ICFAD).
1996
Master of Arts in Arts Administration approved. First Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree Graduates.
1997
Move to Semester Calendar. First Postgraduate Students enrol in Master Arts in Arts Administration.
1998
Master of Fine Arts degree approved by New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA). Bachelor of Fine Arts Monitoring delegated to Whitecliffe by NZQA. Stand-alone ESOL Courses Approved by NZQA. Academic Cooperation Agreement with Montclair State University, New Jersey (USA).
1999
Master of Fine Arts Degree programme began. First graduates in Master Arts in Arts Administration. Graduation speaker is the Governor General of New Zealand, Rt. Hon. Sir Michael Hardie Boys. College principals host the international conference Global Arts Beyond 2000.
2000
Academic Co-operation agreements with Curtin University and Edith Cowan University in Perth, Australia and Stellenbosch University in South Africa. Introduction of Maori name TE WHARE TAKIURA O WIKIRIWHI - The Whitecliffe House/Place of Learning.
2001
President and Co-founder Professor Greg Whitecliffe passed away. Co-founder Michele Whitecliffe took up the Presidency. New Master of Arts in Arts Therapy Degree. Foundation Certificate of Arts and Design began. First Master of Fine Arts Degree graduates. Whitecliffe expanded to Amber House, Burton Street, Auckland.
2002
Chief Executive Officer position established.
2003
Whitecliffe campus expands to include the large Randolph Street studios and gallery in Auckland. Instituted the revised undergraduate programme. Governance Board established.
2004
Whitecliffe achieves a record number of undergraduate and Master's level students.
2005
The Chief Executive Frances Hartnell leaves Whitecliffe after three successful years. Dr. John Shaw, from Massey University, is appointed as the new Chief Executive.
2006
The Master of Arts in Arts Therapy (Clinical) postgraduate qualification is approved
2007
Whitecliffe celebrates 25 years of offering higher education in arts and design.
2008
Whitecliffe moves to new campus at Balfour Road, Parnell
2009
Randolph Studios and Gallery is moved to St Georges Bay Road. Pearce Gallery is established. Master of Arts in Arts Administration is renamed Master of Arts in Arts Management. The CEO position is disestablished and Fionna Scott-Milligan takes up the new role as Dean of College.
2010
The Wikiriwhi Scholarship revised to offer significant financial
support for an overseas professional development experience. Wikiriwhi
Scholarship awarded to Kieran Keat.
2011
Two graduate internships are offered (Photography and Graphic Design). Wikiriwhi Scholarship awarded to Fraser Bingham and Madeleine Harman.
Tommy Honey appointed to the position of Dean of College