Art is a powerful tool for building connections. In our Spotlight series, discover how the visual arts can support student learning and engagement across different areas of the curriculum, as well as school and sector priorities.
Enliven English as an Additional Language (EAL) teaching and learning through First Nations art in the NGV Collection. Join NGV educators and guest presenters to identify and discuss strategies for engaging students of EAL with First Nations artworks and art making practices. Enrich opportunities for language acquisition and consolidation with an art-making workshop delivered by a First Nations artist and develop hands-on creative skills to help EAL students communicate ideas with confidence.
This program will begin with a keynote address delivered by Tiriki Onus followed by a range of guided activities to inspire teaching and learning with First Nations artworks, including those on display in the exhibition Bark Salon. In the afternoon, participate in a step-by-step creative workshop led by First Nations artist Jenna Lee. This activity will be supplemented with material to support implementation in linguistically diverse learning environments beyond the Gallery.
Morning tea and lunch will be provided. Please indicate any dietary requirements or restrictions when booking.
Learning Objectives
- Develop an awareness of the diversity of practices in First Nations art and design.
- Build confidence in exploring First Nations art, culture and history in the classroom.
- Discuss and practice strategies used by NGV Educators to develop confidence in engaging EAL students in dialogue about art.
- Develop approaches to facilitating art making activities that support the learning of students with various language proficiencies.
AITSL Standards
- 2.1. Apply knowledge of the content and teaching strategies of the teaching area to develop engaging teaching activities.
- 2.4 Demonstrate broad knowledge of, understanding of and respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and languages.
- 6.2 Participate in learning to update knowledge and practice, targeted to professional needs and school and/or system priorities.
- 6.4 Undertake professional learning programs designed to address identified student learning needs.
About Tiriki Onus
Tiriki Onus is a Yorta Yorta and Dja Dja Wurrung man and Head of the Wilin Centre for Indigenous Arts and Cultural Development, University of Melbourne. He is an artist, curator, academic, filmmaker and opera singer who, through the grace and generosity of local elders and community, continues to practice his art and culture on the lands of the Boonwurrung and Wurundjeri peoples.
About Jenna Lee
Jenna Lee is a Gulumerridjin (Larrakia), Wardaman and KarraJarri Saltwater woman with mixed Japanese, Chinese, Filipino and Anglo-Australian ancestry. Driven to create work in which she, her family, and the broader mixed First Nations community see themselves represented, Lee builds on a foundation of her father’s teachings of culture and her mother’s teachings of paper craft. Working primarily in installation Lee creates objects, works on paper, photography, video, projection and sound.