Creative Classrooms

The Creative Classrooms strategy provides a holistic platform upon which Gallery Services is able to develop, implement and monitor a series of programs targeted at primary, secondary and tertiary students and arts educators in the Townsville Region.

The Creative Classrooms programs have allowed Gallery Services to undertake activities outside of the traditional confines of the gallery environment and provide a content rich, diverse and engaging program of activities and opportunities for youth and arts educators which has stimulated and enriched visual arts education in our region.

Significant development towards the delivery of this platform was undertaken in 2012/13. This development included the implementation of a Creative Classrooms e-newsletter disseminated at the beginning of each term to arts educators in the Townsville region, highlighting Gallery Services’ programs and opportunities for engagement. Further, there has been greater emphasis on the education kits developed and made available by Gallery Services online.

Gallery Services has also made a concerted effort to involve and consider arts educators in the development of programs; through direct communication with relevant teachers, by attending and presenting content to regular Queensland Art Teachers Association (QATA) meetings, and by referencing relevant curricula during the development of education resources that reflect Gallery Services’ exhibitions and programs.

In order to overcome ever-present issues of access which limit schools’ ability to interact with the regions peak arts institutions, Gallery Services has implemented a program of activities targeted at both primary and secondary schools which are undertaken within the classroom setting.

These programs, namely: Artist-in-Schools, Art-in-a-Suitcase, and the Guest Lecture Series will see Gallery Services reach every primary and secondary school within a financial year in order to engage students with art and promote lifelong learning and interest in the field.