NVAEC 2019 Day 2 – Keynote: Dr Flossie Chua & Anne Smith

Dr Flossie Chua (Project Zero, Harvard University) and Anne Smith (Independent Schools Victoria) Shifting Paradigms: Thinking in and Through Contemporary Art Abstract: How do contemporary artists engage with ideas and pressing questions of our time? How might understanding the qualities of their thinking inspire new paradigms for teaching and learning? This presentation explores how contemporary artists articulate, respond to, and challenge the way we understand contemporary ideas and issues. It also introduces a framework that describes four key dispositions exhibited in the working processes of contemporary artists. Participants will also consider how the framework aligns with the Australian Curriculum General Capabilities and reflect on how contemporary art invites us into a richer and more complex understanding of our place in contemporary society. Biographies: Flossie S. G. Chua Senior Research Manager and Instructor in Education at Project Zero, Harvard University. Her work focuses on understanding how we can nurture good thinking and practices that develop the capacity for informed and positive action. Her projects involve exploring emerging practices of progressive pedagogies in schools and the shared leadership structures in schools that support them, and innovative paradigms for visual artists and the arts to operate in relationship to their communities and the world. Flossie also collaborates with Independent Schools Victoria to research innovative learning frameworks that prepare students for our complex and dynamic world. Anne Smith Arts Learning Executive at Independent Schools Victoria where she works directly with a diverse range of education profiles and priorities to explore and expand the benefits of Arts Education through school based and community programs. Anne has initiated and developed a wide range of programs and partnerships with galleries, museums and universities to create opportunities for arts rich interdisciplinary learning. Anne is the artistic director of Independent Schools Victoria’s Arts Learning Festival, a biennial event staged in Melbourne’s arts precinct. Anne has collaborated on research projects with Project Zero, Harvard University and to further expand awareness and commitment to the importance of the Arts. For further information about the National Visual Art Education Conference held at the National Gallery of Australia from 21–23 January 2019 visit www.nga.gov.au/nvaec.