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This year’s conference was a pleasure to attend at the STEAM Centre, Dripstone Middle School. Onsite at Dripstone AENT had 16 member participants on Day one and 11 on Day two. What a pleasure it was to engage and cross pollinate with Visual Arts professionals from Primary, Middle Years, and Senior stages – while being exposed to artists, academics, and researchers – who acknowledge the importance of Visual Arts in education in Australia.

The keynotes were highly informative. On Day One Marikat Santigo, a contemporary Australian artist of Filipino descent shared her artmaking process and inspirational focuses: identity, mythology, faith, motherhood, and perception of value. So lovely to have such an up-close and personal talk by a living Australian artist who shared her triumphs and frustrations of balancing artmaking, family and her career. Marikit was raw about it “being tough being an emergent artist”, and that she was focused on publicly sharing works through institutional shows where she could express her personal artistic motivations without being driven to sell to private collections – particularly as the content of her work is very personal and family based. I have been following Marikit’s artwork for the past couple of years, and it was very insightful to hear her flesh out her inspirations and symbolic intentions.

On Day 2 NZ academic Peter O’Connor talked about the power of imagination and the need for Arts to be central to education. He articulated how our human survival requires empathy which imagination and Arts educations engages us in. He commented, “When we think, feel and embody other possibilities we can imagine ways to change our world for the better” highlighting how imagination sits at the centre of hope. Peter’s presentation was uplifting and refreshing as it acknowledged the importance of Arts Education. He also shared lots of great research suggestions.

Workshops:
I participated in Rethinking the Portrait with Fiona McMonagle and Colour Pencil Revival with Jasmine Crisp. Both are contemporary female Australian artists which I pleased to now be acquainted with. Fiona has developed a very personal style to using inks and watercolours, and her process, although difficult to follow through the live video, was very interesting. I was not particularly successful in my first attempts in her manner, however the workshop was a great opportunity to try out washes and layering techniques on paper. Jasmine’s workshop explored the simple pencil through drawing activities designed to loosen up and ready the artist for making, and which could be used often as warm ups and for preparatory potential for future artmaking. This workshop was highly enjoyable as Jasmine is a natural and generous teacher.

The closing sessions included Daniel Browning who presented on important indigenous artworks and questioned where power sits with them? The Day 2 closing panel of artists held a great discussion on how the Arts empower – highlighting the value of artists, artmaking and again…Arts in education.

On Monday, 16th September, I attended Day 1 of the Zart Conference held at Dripstone Middle School. The keynote address by Marikit Santiago was both engaging and highly informative, offering valuable insights into her artistic practice. I also participated in the ink portrait session, where I had the opportunity to explore a variety of techniques and experiment with new approaches. One of the highlights of the day was connecting with fellow art educators from various Darwin schools, exchanging ideas, and discussing our shared experiences in teaching.

Attending the Zart conference was a great experience for me. I came away with a renewed appreciation for art’s role in education and its power to foster dialogue and inclusivity. The conference reinforced how art serves as a universal language, bridging gaps and connecting us all.
After listening to Marikit’s wonderful opening session I was thinking about how I can get my Year 1-2 students to discuss and represent their cultural identities in the classroom and how important it is to reflect diverse perspectives in our art programs. This not only validates students’ experiences but also fosters a stronger sense of belonging and engagement.
One of my key takeaways is the importance of making art accessible to every student. By providing opportunities for personal expression and cultural exploration, we help students connect with their own backgrounds and appreciate others’.
I also loved, and will remind myself in my own art practice, to “Let go of any ideas of perfection!”, as quoted by Fiona Mc Monagle. She really inspired me to play around with the inks I have in the back of my cupboard.
As I return to my teaching, I’m inspired to continue to use art as a tool for understanding and celebrating diversity, ensuring that every student feels seen and valued in their creative journey.

Given I have been outside of the art and classroom space for some time it was such an enticing experience getting to see key notes in person. Tony Albert was such a standout, his generosity and passion left me wanting to start a standing ovation. When I return to the art classroom he will absolutely be a the top of my list for artist to investigate.
In terms of application to my classroom practice in a casual capacity (at Milkwood) the break out session creative starting points with Nicole Barrikat offered such wisdom in her invitation to play. All of the drawing activities and ideas ignited something in me as a creative that I haven’t experience for a while. the first invitation was so simple but perhaps my favourite, the artist places groups of. randoms object on table to be collected in silence and to simply start arranging them, then you were invited in silence to collaborate with others. I will be adding these ideas and inspiration straight my arsenal as they would be perfect for any year level. Overall being able to particulate in this conference with other AENT members was a major factor in having such an enriching experience.

The 2024 NVA conference was even more inspiring than I had anticipated. My highlights were Tony Albert’s keynote, the workshops, “repositioning our schools” by Pasi Sahlberg (on the state of education today and big picture learning) and Wonderschool at the Columbus Museum of Art. This project places preschoolers and preservice educators in the gallery and museum environment as “upstanders” of the community. I thought this was such a brilliant concept and creates a setting where adults can learn lessons from tiny little humans. Critical thinking encourages creativity here and these are skills of the future which lie in Art education, an area I am very passionate about. Creativity is a starting point for innovation, which is why Art is an increasingly important subject in our rapidly changing world. The workshops I selected were based around creative starting points and drawing connections in the gallery, which have inspired me to do things differently with my students, and, at times, allow process to be emphasized instead of finished products, in order to allow deeper learning without fear of failures and the ability to learn through experience and others, collaboratively. I will definitely take these lessons into my classroom immediately, and they are a stimulating way to start the year.

NVAEC 2024 was a rich and robust conference. A highlight for me were the rich and open conversations with art educators both international and Australian. The tone of the three days was set with an opening series of provocations or statements which encouraged introductions and free conversation between the delegates.
Highlights included the key note from Tony Albert. He spoke of the importance of diversity at the table of institutions and places of power, and emphasised that whilst one seat at the table may not enable change, it was important for that voice to be heard and ideas noted. He was inspiring and engaging.
Kellie Cole delivered a key note as the co-curator of the current Emily Kam Kngwarray exhibition around the importance of collaboration with community. This is a must see show if given the chance.
I have come away with an intent to create opportunities for more play and experimentation with process and ideas to foster creativity in my classes.

Attending the National Visual Art Education Conference was a transformative experience, rich with opportunities for learning and networking. The warmth and eagerness to share among participants fostered a collaborative environment that enhanced the overall experience. The lineup of keynote speakers was truly remarkable, each bringing a unique perspective and expertise to the forefront. From the insightful presentations of Brooke Minto, Jennifer Lehe, Ming Wong, Tony Albert, Kelli Cole, Pasi Sahlberg, to the innovative approaches shared by Associate Professor Andrew Meares, the conference offered a comprehensive view of Visual Art Education’s significance in the curriculum and beyond.

The plethora of workshops presented a dilemma of choice, each promising valuable insights. Personally, attending the Lines of Connection and Art Through Culture workshops provided practical strategies and methodologies applicable across various subjects. However, it was Jennifer Lehe’s workshop that stood out, offering inspiring pedagogical approaches to nurture creativity and civic capacities in the classroom.

The conference wasn’t just about intellectual stimulation; it also catered to the senses with delicious catering and a memorable dinner accompanied by live music, fostering an atmosphere buzzing with excitement and camaraderie. Overall, the conference was a holistic experience that not only enriched professional practice but also left lasting memories of camaraderie and inspiration.

As I reflect on the conference, I can’t help but feel privileged to have attended such a transformative event. The knowledge gained, connections made, and experiences shared have left an indelible mark on my professional journey. I eagerly anticipate the opportunity to attend again in the future, knowing that each iteration of the conference will offer new insights and opportunities for growth.

Inspiring three days
During the conference I met some amazing educators from Australia and around the world, creating invaluable contacts. Taking part in the workshops and listening to the keynote speakers was inspiring. I presented my research on the importance of material handling, which generated thoughtful discussion. My favourite part of the gallery was the sculpture garden including the James Terrell immersive sculpture within without.

NVAEC 2024 overflowed with joy and possibilities. It was so wonderful to connect with Art Educators from across Australia and abroad. It was an excellent opportunity to foster relationships with Art Educator Associations from other states and discuss our unique contexts, and also the common threads we all have.
As a workshop presenter at the conference it was a chance to share some of the research and development that I have been doing in the NT regarding the teaching of idea generation with educators from a variety of different locations and contexts. The experience resonated with the participants and was validating for me, and has inspired me to keep following this path in 2024. I am excited to develop this as a workshop for AENT members later in the year. Tony Albert’s keynote was a stand out for me, the generous advocate nature of his practice was very impactful. I caught up with an ex student who was working in the curatorial team at NGA and now a lecturer at ANU. It is so lovely as a teacher to see the heights our students can reach, and just a further reminder the importance of what we do as Art Educators.