Michele Whitecliffe

President, Whitecliffe College of Arts and Design

Michele Whitecliffe has been President of Whitecliffe College of Arts & Design since the death of her late husband in 2001. Michele and Greg started the College in 1982 and today the College is one of the most sought-after art schools in New Zealand, offering unique post graduates degrees not offered anywhere else in the country.

My background has been more from the promotional side of the business and my broad over skills have allowed me to support the college to find new areas of arts education not offered anywhere else. I enjoy working with the both the current students and graduates, encouraging and assisting with connections and work opportunities. As institutes across the globe become more aware of the needs for ecological ethical and sustainable practice, our college has been introducing classes in each year level as part of their curriculum.

At the beginning of this year, Whitecliffe launched a new stream of the Master of Fine Arts programme focusing on Fashion and Sustainability. The programme offers postgraduate opportunities for Fashion Designers with an interest in ecologically ethical and sustainable fashion. This is the first of its kind in the country.

Fundraising is becoming a bigger part in this role in the aims to help our College stay ahead of the game.