Invercargill’s arts scene supports learners at every stage with the best art schools in Invercargill, offering everything from NZQA-accredited tertiary qualifications to hands-on workshops and children’s classes. Providers deliver practical training in traditional and digital mediums, helping students build portfolios, develop skills, and explore creativity in supportive local settings. Standout options include Southern Institute of Technology and AbsoluteLee Artsy, with the Southland Art Society covering community workshops.
1Southern Institute of Technology (SIT)
The Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) is Invercargill’s main tertiary provider of creative industries programmes, delivering accredited certificate and degree-level study through its Te Rau o Te Huia Centre for Creative Industries. It focuses on practical, industry-relevant skills in art, design, animation, film and related fields, with pathways to further study or employment. The institution suits school leavers, mature students and those seeking formal qualifications or short community courses in a supportive environment with flexible study options.
Services
- New Zealand Certificate in Creativity (Level 4) covering drawing, animation, digital painting, printmaking, photography, sculpture and filmmaking
- Bachelor of Screen Arts with majors in Animation, Concept Art and Design, Film, Game Design and Content Creation
- Art for Leisure short courses in painting techniques
- Professional development and portfolio-building projects
- Collaborative creative practice and art history components
Highlights
- Zero Fees Scheme for eligible domestic students
- NZQA-accredited qualifications with clear study pathways
- State-of-the-art facilities at Te Rau o Te Huia creative hub
- Industry-standard studios for animation, film and digital media
- Opportunities for exhibitions and real-world creative projects
Location & Contact
Name: Southern Institute of Technology (SIT)
Address: 133 Tay Street, Invercargill 9810
Phone: 03 211 2699
Website: sit.ac.nz
2Southerly Art School (Southland Education)
Southerly Art School is an annual intensive workshop programme hosted by Southland Education, a long-established non-profit community education provider in Invercargill. It brings together high-calibre visual arts tutors for immersive, hands-on sessions over the King’s Birthday weekend, catering to adults and teens. The programme suits participants seeking short, focused creative experiences in a supportive group setting with opportunities to complete substantial projects and exhibit work.
Services
- Workshops in painting using acrylics and watercolours
- Drawing and life drawing sessions
- Jewellery-making and textured earring design
- Printmaking and mixed media techniques
- Abstract painting and other specialist mediums
Highlights
- High-calibre tutors from Southland and beyond
- Pop-up exhibition showcasing participant work
- Options for beginners through to advanced artists
- Part of a historic adult and community education organisation
- Small-group, immersive format over several days
Location & Contact
Name: Southerly Art School (Southland Education)
Address: 100 Esk Street, Invercargill 9810
Website: southlandeducation.org.nz
3AbsoluteLee Artsy
AbsoluteLee Artsy is a dedicated art studio in Invercargill offering structured, small-group classes for children, teens, homeschoolers and adults. Led by registered art teacher and founder Lee Smillie, sessions emphasise hands-on exploration of painting, drawing, sculpting, printing and mixed media in a calm, confidence-building atmosphere. It suits families and individuals looking for regular skill-building classes or one-off creative workshops in a personalised setting.
Services
- Early Explorers classes for ages 5-7 focusing on playful discovery
- Young Creators and Creative Learners classes for ages 8-15
- Artsy Home Away homeschool art classes
- AbsoluteLee Creative Workshops for adults 14+
- Birthday parties and custom group workshops
Highlights
- Maximum of 8 students per class for individual attention
- Led by registered art teacher with primary teaching and specialist art experience
- Focus on creativity, confidence, self-expression and fine motor skills
- Options tailored for homeschool families
- Adult workshops suitable for beginners returning to art
Location & Contact
Name: AbsoluteLee Artsy
Address: 5 The Crescent, Invercargill
Phone: 022 015 4887
Website: absoluteleeartsy.co.nz
4Southland Art Society
The Southland Art Society is a nonprofit running from Don Street, and it sits at the community end rather than the qualification end. There is no enrolment or curriculum: it puts on regular life drawing sessions, multi-day workshops in painting and printmaking, and member exhibitions through its City Gallery space. It suits someone who wants to practise alongside other artists rather than work toward a certificate.
Services
- Regular life drawing sessions
- Multi-day painting and printmaking workshops
- Member exhibitions and shows
- Gallery space in central Invercargill
Highlights
- Nonprofit society rather than a fee-charging school
- Runs life drawing on a regular schedule, not just one-off classes
- Operating from its Don Street gallery since 2013
Location & Contact
Name: Southland Art Society
Address: 28 Don Street, Invercargill
Note: A member society running workshops, not a school with an enrolment pathway
Art Schools in Invercargill at a Glance
| Business | Based in | Highlight |
|---|---|---|
| Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) | Invercargill | Zero Fees Scheme for eligible domestic students |
| Southerly Art School (Southland Education) | Invercargill | High-calibre tutors from Southland and beyond |
| AbsoluteLee Artsy | Invercargill | Maximum of 8 students per class for individual attention |
| Southland Art Society | Invercargill | Nonprofit society rather than a fee-charging school |
How to Choose the Right Art School in Invercargill
- Check accreditation and qualification pathways if pursuing formal study or career goals in creative industries.
- Review the range of mediums and formats offered, such as digital tools, traditional techniques or short workshops versus full programmes.
- Consider instructor qualifications and class sizes to ensure personalised guidance and a supportive learning environment.
- Evaluate facilities, including access to studios, equipment and exhibition opportunities.
- Assess location, scheduling and suitability for your age group or experience level, including options for children or adults.
Frequently Asked Questions About Invercargill Art Schools
What types of art programmes are available in Invercargill?
Options range from NZQA-accredited certificates and degrees in creativity, screen arts and animation at tertiary level, to annual intensive workshops in painting, drawing and mixed media, and regular small-group classes for children and adults covering traditional and contemporary techniques.
Are there art classes suitable for children in Invercargill?
Yes, several providers offer age-appropriate classes for children and teens, including structured sessions for ages 5-7, 8-10 and 11-15 that focus on skill development, creativity and confidence in a small-group setting.
Do Invercargill art schools offer accredited qualifications?
The main tertiary provider offers NZQA-accredited certificates and bachelor degrees with clear pathways to further study or industry roles in animation, film, design and visual arts. Community workshops are typically non-accredited but provide practical skill-building.
How can I verify if an art programme is recognised in New Zealand?
Check the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) register for accredited providers and qualifications. nzqa.govt.nz lists approved programmes and helps confirm recognition for study or employment purposes.
Are there options for beginners or those returning to art?
Many programmes welcome beginners, with short courses, adult workshops and introductory classes designed for those with little or no prior experience, focusing on exploration and enjoyment alongside skill development.
Where are most art schools and classes located in Invercargill?
Providers are centrally located, with the main tertiary campus on Tay Street, community workshops at Esk Street, and a children’s studio on The Crescent, making them accessible from most suburbs in the city.
What should I consider when choosing between a full qualification and short workshops?
Full qualifications suit those seeking structured study, portfolios and career pathways, while short workshops are ideal for targeted skill-building, experimentation or creative breaks without a long-term commitment.
Can I find art education options that fit around work or school schedules?
Yes, options include part-time and evening classes, short weekend intensives, term-based after-school sessions and flexible study modes at the tertiary level to accommodate different lifestyles.
How We Chose the Best Art Schools in Invercargill
Every business in this guide was found by searching for art schools in Invercargill, then checked against its own website. Names, addresses and phone numbers are taken from the business’s own site rather than a directory feed, so what you see here is what they publish themselves. We also check that each one is actually based in or genuinely serving Invercargill, rather than a national operator running a local landing page. A business with no website of its own is not listed, because there is no primary source to verify it against.