Schools Program
Our schools program connects students and teachers with artists, to build the next generation of leaders, thinkers, and creatives.
Through our programs, explore issues that matter to our community at Footscray Community Arts:
- First Nations perspectives embedded in all areas of learning
- Curriculum-aligned creative workshops designed to enhance creative and critical thinking skills
- Artist-led discussions and site explorations that build ethical, social and intercultural capabilities.
- Pre and post visit resources
Find out more at schools@footscrayarts.com
Image: Neon Stories, 2020. Photograph by Gianna Rizzo.
About our Schools Program
With access to performance spaces and changing exhibitions alongside the support of artists in residence and an Indigenous Advisory Group, the Footscray Community Arts Schools Program offers a unique, engaging and culturally safe learning opportunity for students.
Our site-based approach to learning encourages students to strengthen critical and creative thinking skills and apply these strategies to relevant and contemporary matters. Students uncover the history, present and possible future of their communities through artist-led site exploration and art making. Each excursion embeds First Nations histories, perspectives and living cultures into learning, include pre-visit resources and target ethical, social, and intercultural capabilities.
Our excursions:
- Engage Critical and Creative Thinking & Ethical Capabilities
- Embed First Nations history and perspectives in learning
- Inspire self-confidence and student activism
- Art making activities led by Artists
- Promote sustainable practices and environmental health
Educational Workshops
Wildlife Wonders
Levels P-6: Join Noongar artist Siena Jacques at Footscray Community Arts for an interactive workshop on First Nations culture and celebrating native wildlife through sculpture making.
We’ve Always Been Storytellers
Years 7-10: Students explore Aboriginal storytelling and the art of poetry with guidance from Noongar artist and poet Siena Jacques.
Free Self-Guided Tours
Interested in visiting one of our exhibitions? Book your free self-guided experience today.
Luminary Tales
Years P-6: Join us for an unforgettable journey where imagination knows no bounds, and shadows dance to tales untold.
This Is Definitely Not A Box
Years P-8: Led by the indirect Object, in this workshop students take an ordinary box as a starting point and transform its meaning.
Community Collaborations
We have delivered many funded, community-engaged learning projects in collaboration with local artists and schools.
During 2018-2021, we were a recipient of the Strategic Partnerships Program grant from the Department of Education and Training. We partnered with local organisation 100 Story Building to deliver learning experiences which were tied to our artistic program as well as VELS, to over 1000 students from Melbourne’s West.
In 2020, with the Creative Learning Partnerships grant, we collaborated with The iIndirect Object and Western English Language School to produce a student-led exhibition and learning resources, Neon Stories. You can find out more by watching the videos below.
This program is proudly supported by The Department of Education’s Strategic Partnerships Program.
Get in touch
Tell us about your school by submitting an enquiry form or emailing schools@footscrayarts.com