National Visual Art Education Conference

The National Visual Art Education Conference (NVAEC) brings together teachers, artists, cultural practitioners and thought-leaders to inspire and energise best-practice teaching and learning in the visual arts. Australia’s only national education conference dedicated to visual art, NVAEC is a key professional development opportunity for educators working in schools, arts, health and community organisations.

This program is supported by Learning & Digital Patron Tim Fairfax AC in honour of Betty Churcher.

Thu 21 – Sat 23 April 2022
James Fairfax Theatre and online
Bookings essential 

In 2022, the National Visual Art Education Conference is presented alongside the 4th National Indigenous Art Triennial: Ceremony. Curated by Hetti Perkins, Arrernte and Kalkadoon peoples, the exhibition presents artworks as “active ingredients” or “radical agents” – works that are active; works that are activist; works that activate.

This year’s conference responds to this call by centring the work of First Nations artists, educators and thought leaders. We present a program of active and activating learning experiences that challenge and empower all educators to embed First Nations perspectives in their practice.

Presented online, with opportunities for in-person attendance at the National Gallery, the conference program combines presentations and artist talks, interactive workshops, opportunities for reflection and conversation, and access to a portal of tools, frameworks and resources to support teaching and learning.

Conference delegates will also receive a complimentary ticket to the inaugural Betty Churcher AO Memorial Oration, with Dr Melissa Chiu, Director, Smithsonian’s Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, on Thursday 21 April, 7pm AEST.

This Conference offers Auslan interpreting and live captioning.

Speakers and workshop presenters include:

Hetti Perkins, Arrernte and Kalkadoon peoples, Senior Curator-at-Large, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art, National Gallery of Australia

Michelle Adams, Yindjibarndi people, Cultural Advisor, NEO-Learning, Big hART

Aunty Mary Atkinson/Charles, Wiradjuri and Ngunnawal peoples, Senior Elder, Educator and Cultural Practitioner​​

Larry Brandy, Wiradjuri people, storyteller and author

Joel Bray, Wiradjuri people, artist, 4th National Indigenous Art Triennial: Ceremony

Dr Melissa Chiu, Director, Smithsonian’s Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden

Ian RT Colless, Dharabuladh (Therabluat) clan of the Gundungurra people, Wesfarmers Indigenous Leadership Coordinator, National Gallery of Australia

Sharon Davis, Bardi and Kija peoples, Director of Education and Ethics, The Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies

Krystal Hurst, Worimi people, First Nations Lead Artist Educator, National Gallery of Australia

Mark Leahy, Creative Producer, NEO-Learning, Big hART

Kylie Neagle, Education Coordinator, Art Gallery of South Australia

April Phillips, Galari People of the Wiradjuri nation, First Nations Learning Designer, Australian Children’s Television Foundation

Liam Price, Warlpiri people, educator and language specialist, Miromaa Aboriginal Language and Technology Centre

Dr Melanie Riwai-Couch, educational leader in Aotearoa, New Zealand and author of Niho Taniwha: Improving Teaching and Learning for Ākonga Māori (Huia Publishers, 2021)

Joel Spring, Wiradjuri people, artist, 4th National Indigenous Art Triennial: Ceremony

Onsite, full program

$270 | $243 Members | $216 Students, Concession

Delegates with an onsite ticket attend the conference in-person at the National Gallery, experiencing the online presentations together in the Gallery’s James Fairfax Theatre. Onsite tickets allow delegates to participate in a range of interactive workshops, both at the Gallery and our partner organisations in Canberra. This ticket includes catering for morning tea and lunch, as well as travel to partner venues. All delegates receive six-months access to recorded sessions and resource materials provided by speakers and workshop presenters. (Capacity limited).

Online, full program

$120 | $108 | $96 Students, Concession

Online, full program tickets provide delegates with access to all online presentations along with a range of virtual workshop experiences delivered by National Gallery staff and partner organisations across Australia. All delegates receive six-months access to recorded sessions and resource materials provided by speakers and workshop presenters. (Capacity limited).

Online, half program (10am – 1pm)

$60 | $54 Members | $48 Students, Concession

Online, half program tickets provide delegates with access to the online presentations by guest artists, curators and educators. All delegates receive six-months access to recorded sessions and resource materials provided by speakers and workshop presenters.

For further information contact the Bookings Office on +61 2 6240 6519 or email groupbookings@nga.gov.au

The sites for past National Visual Art Education Conferences have been archived for research purposes.