Schools Program
Our schools program connects students and teachers with artists, to build the next generation of leaders, thinkers, creatives and arts audience members.
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.
- A full day at the Centre including pre-visit resources and extension activities!
Find out more at schools@footscrayarts.com
Image: Neon Stories, 2020. Photograph by Gianna Rizzo.
About our Schools Program
About
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 thinking 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
- Include an artist-led site exploration and art activities
- Promote sustainable practices and environmental health
- Are Indigenous Advisory Committee approved and supported
Learn more about our Commitment to Child Safety
School Workshops, 2022. Photographed by Gianna Rizzo.
Educational Workshops
Tell Your Story!
Exploring Personal Narratives (F-10):
How do our histories and connections to the past influence who we are today? ‘Tell Your Story!’ encourages students to engage with, build confidence in and celebrate their personal narratives.
From First Nations to migrant community members, this excursion introduces students to the many histories and perspectives of the people who call Footscray home. This program is an artist-led site-exploration, which invites students to unpack the concept of diversity and how it enhances and influences community spaces. Students consolidate learning through a creative workshop, where they are encouraged to share their own personal and cultural histories.
Cost: $20 per student*
Duration: 10 am – 2.30 pm (including recess and lunch breaks)
Curriculum and learning areas:
History, Civics and Citizenship, Geography, Visual Arts, English, Personal histories, Appreciation of diversity of gender, age, language, culture, and religion.
*Schools with <1000 SFOE ranking are eligible for subsidised rates.
School Workshops, 2022. Photographed by Gianna Rizzo.
Climate Action
Environmental Care and Awareness (F-10):
The complexity of climate change can be overwhelming for young Australians. This program is designed to empower students who, without choice, are at the frontline of climate action. Through a deeper understanding of our environment, First Nations perspectives on caring for country and the acts that we can take to preserve environmental health, this program is designed to empower students to express their thoughts, fears about the natural world. Students apply their learning in an artist-led creative workshop, where they explore solutions to environmental issues.
Cost: $20 per student*
Duration: 10 am – 2.30 pm (including recess and lunch breaks)
Curriculum and learning areas:
Design and Technology – Factors influencing design decisions, Civics and Citizenship, Geography, Visual Arts, English, Place and liveability, Environmental change and management.
*Schools with <1000 SFOE ranking are eligible for subsidised rates.
School Workshops, 2022. Photographed by Gianna Rizzo.
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 Indirect 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.
The Footscray Community Arts Schools Program is proudly supported by the Department of Education and Training’s Strategic Partnerships Program
Collaborate with us
If you’re keen to create engaging student experiences with us, submit an enquiry form or email schools@footscrayarts.com.
Get in touch
Tell us about your school by submitting an enquiry form or emailing schools@footscrayarts.com