Geelong Arts Centre is situated in the heart of Geelong’s cultural precinct and exists to foster the artists and creative communities of Geelong.
A key component of Geelong Arts Centre’s offering, the Creative Learning program, gives students from prep and kindergarten to year 12 access to enriching, educational arts programs. These applied learning experiences aim to stimulate the imagination, foster creativity, and transform how students see themselves and the world around them.
The entire program aligns with the Victorian Curriculum with a focus on empowering students as artists and audience members, as drama-makers and evaluators encouraging participants to be curious and inquisitive. Ideas generated through the Geelong Arts Centre’s Creative Learning program can be used as a springboard for deeper learning and further investigated in your very own classroom.
“We want all students to have a voice and to connect through story sharing, contemporary issues and innovative ideas. For many young people in our region, Creative Learning is one of their first dramatic arts experiences.”
Kelly Clifford, Geelong Arts Centre Senior Producer – Families, Youth & Creative Learning Programming
Facilitated by professional artists, technicians, and educators across a range of disciplines, and delivered in professional, state-of-the-art theatre spaces, all programs can be adapted to suit the learning needs and outcomes of students, reflecting key curriculum objectives.
In 2022 Geelong Arts Centre is pleased to support teachers by presenting dynamic, interactive arts experiences across a range of formats, including an amazing selection of workshops, performances and festivals – some familiar, some reimagined and some new. As well as these, there will be professional development opportunities to enable teachers to take their drama and arts teaching further.
The 2022 Creative Learning program commences in February and runs right through to November.
With dates across February, May and June, challenge your students’ storytelling abilities and introduce them to the world of broadcast with Take Over The Airwaves – A Radio Play Festival. A blended learning experience including both incursion and excursion components for students in Years 8 to 10, Take Over The Airwaves sees Geelong Arts Centre partner with Oxygen College to guide students through a series of workshops where they will become the actors, directors, scriptwriters, sound operators and narrators of their own unique story, with the support and mentorship of practicing theatre artists and digital resources.
Inspired by Martin McKenna’s moving memoir, and part of the VCE Theatre Studies 2022 Playlist, The Boy Who Talked to Dogs (pictured) is the international premiere of a mischievous and magical work made in partnership with Adelaide’s acclaimed Slingsby and State Theatre Company South Australia. Coming to Geelong West Town Hall on Thursday 14 July, the performance explores the true story of Nimbin’s famous “Dogman”, who grew up in Garryowen, Limerick. This tough but tender tale is a celebration of the love of animals we share our homes and lives with, starring acclaimed Dublin actor Bryan Burroughs amidst a dazzling array of shadows, songs and stellar musicianship.
Then later in July, a puppet show with sustainability at its heart, Trash Puppets’ Escape from Trash Mountain hits Geelong Arts Centre’s recently redeveloped Studio 4 space to give students in Years 3 to 6 a poignant look at how good relationships and fervent optimism are key to saving out planet. Part of the Sustainable Strategies program and in partnership with Geelong Gallery, young students will be captivated as two performers operate 17 different puppets and transform trash into an epic playground!
Throughout the year, educators will also have the opportunity to engage in creative conversations and professional development workshops, as well as access to engaging resources to assist in building lesson plans, inspiring student curiosity, and igniting meaningful conversations in the classroom.
The Geelong Arts Centre’s Creative Learning program aims to spark a love for the creative industries that opens a world of opportunity to both educators and students alike.
If you are interested in any of Geelong Arts Centre’s 2022 Creative Learning programs, head to geelongartscentre.org.au/creative-learning for more information and to book.
