Monday, 15 May 2017

Students and teachers at Korumburra Secondary College and Seaspray Primary School are preparing to get creative, in real life and online, thanks to a $15,000.grant each through the Andrews Labor Government’s Virtual Creative Professionals in Schools program.

Harriet Shing Member for Eastern Victoria Region announced the grants today.

The grant will support Korumburra Secondary College to partner with audio visual designer and artist, Justin Dwyer on a multi-media project that uses “Touch Designer” software to explore the concept of identity.  The project will blend photography, video, projection and computer coding to create a White Night inspired community event.

Sound and sculpture artist Michael Prior will work with Seaspray Primary School’s 14 students and two staff to create a collection of sculptural, solar powered instruments inspired by the local environment. The project combines both art making and technical skills and Prior will work both in the school and online to teach students and teachers about basic circuitry and mechanics and to give them skills in sound composition, digital recording, web production so they can create their own sculptures.

In a twist on the traditional artist residency model, Justin Dwyer and Michael Prior will connect with students and teachers both in the classroom and ‘virtually’ using the latest online conferencing technology to deliver lessons, workshops and mentoring sessions live into the classroom.

The only program of its kind in Australia, Virtual Creative Professionals in Schools is a pilot program that aims to ensure students in remote areas have the same access to high quality creative and learning experiences as their city counterparts.

Korumburra Secondary College and Seaspray Primary School are two of nine schools across the state – from Korumburra to Kangaroo Flat – that will share in grants totalling $235,000 in the latest round.  Supported projects range from music mentoring to theatre making, filmmaking and sculpture projects.

While each Virtual Creative Professionals in Schools project has the creativity at its core, projects are also embedded across the wider curriculum, supporting student learning in areas such as English, geography, science and digital technologies.

Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Region, Harriet Shing:

“The Virtual Creative Professionals in Schools program ensures students in remote areas have opportunities to connect with, and learn from, some of the best in the business.” 

“This project will build new skills and expand the horizons, and job prospects, of Korumburra and Seaspray students, and their teachers – I can’t wait to see the results.”

“These projects will ensure Victorian students will learn new skills and enjoy the benefits of our creative state, no matter where they live.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley:

“Increasingly Australian creatives are using online technologies to reach new audiences and work remotely with partners and businesses across the state, the country and the globe.”

“These projects will give students real-world experience of how creative practitioners work today and prepare them for the jobs of the future.”