Our specially designed programs for secondary school students aim to support the Victorian Curriculum F-10 and VCE study programs whilst sparking imagination, curiosity and creativity. We also offer spotlight sessions and tours based on temporary exhibitions and all programs can be tailored to your needs.
Sessions for lower to middle secondary students
In this program students will explore the work of three prominent Australian artists; Consuelo Cavaniglia, Taree Mackenzie and Gemma Smith, and learn about how light influences their work.
Born at Mount Duneed, South West Victoria, in 1867, Arthur Streeton championed a new pictorial narrative of interpreting Australian light in the landscape. 150 years on, practices of the artists in Australian Light are brought into dialogue with the South West Victorian landscape. A practical component compliments this program.
Duration 1:5 hours Cost: Free Availability: 12 February- 17 April
Explore artists varied response to the landscape over time in this program based around a selection of works from the WAG collection. Students will learn about the different techniques and mediums utilised by artists responding to the landscape and experiment with watercolour to create their own artwork.
Duration:1.5 hours Cost: Free Availability: until 29 May
Carmel Wallace’s exhibition Into The Woods is a culmination of her career long fascination with forests and bushland. Based in Portland, Wallace immerses herself for extended periods of time within the environment, particularly the grandiose Cobboboonee National Park, in search of solace. In this program students will explore Wallace’s visual translation of her experience in nature, highlighting the destructive forces of over-consumption upon the landscape. They will explore the manner in which Wallace develops her work and create an ephemeral artwork utilising found objects in response to the exhibition.
Duration: 1:5 hours Cost: Free Availability: 23 April – 26 June
Join a local Peek Whurrong artist for this session about indigenous culture. An informative and enriching program where students will learn about local culture, language and hear stories of Country and Dreaming.
Duration: 1 hour Cost: Free Availability: All year subject to availability
A hands on creative session exploring the fundamentals of drawing. Utilising a range of media, students will be guided through a range of basic drawing techniques aimed skill development and understanding. Students will explore planning and sighting, identifying basic shapes and gestural drawing. A guided tour of an exhibition compliments this experience.
Duration: 1.5 hours Cost: Free Availability: all year
This program focuses on careers in the Creative Arts Industry. Delivered in the gallery setting students explore the role of creative workers in society, the various careers and the paths that lead to employment in the industry. Students will be involved in discussion and debate regarding the inherent value of the Arts, question how the Arts impact their daily lives and broaden their understanding on the importance of creative and critical thinking.
Duration: 1 hour Cost: Free Availability: all year
In this session students will be engaged in the analysis of artworks and interpret the practices employed in the development of a variety of artworks on display. Students will be encouraged to question the content and choices employed, the creative elements and evaluate the context in which the work was created. They will be introduced to artistic terminology and develop an artwork in response to work exhibited.
Duration: 1.5 hours Cost: Free Availability: all year
Tailored education tours are available to teachers and students using the Galleries permanent collection and temporary exhibitions. WAG is able to offer unique programs responding to any subject area tailored to your needs. Please get in touch to discuss your ideas and we can work collaboratively to develop a program.
Duration: 1 hour Cost: Free Availability: all year
VCE Studio Arts
This session will focus on Outcome 3 of Unit 4 and will include a tour of the exhibition spaces and the behind the scenes curatorial areas. Students will develop an understanding of the different types of galleries and the professional roles at Warrnambool Art Gallery. They will explore methods used by artists and curators relating to the preparation, presentation, conservation and promotion of artworks and exhibitions. This tour includes a comprehensive handout.
Duration: 1.5 hours Cost: Free Availability: all year
This session will focus on Outcome 3 of Unit 3. Students will have the opportunity to explore several of WAG’s artworks which help to address the themes of appropriation and cultural property. Students will be encouraged to investigate the artworks in depth and write responses to them. We will discuss and challenge the notion that all art should be unique and explore the idea of originality. We will also cover copyright and how it affects the art world and how the internet, social media and the increased IT literacy of the population has had an impact.
Duration: 1.5 hours Cost: Free Availability: all year
Megan Nicolson, Education Officer
(03) 5559 4949
mnicolson [at] warrnambool [dot] vic [dot] gov [dot] au