What to do before your visit to ArtPlay
Children are more engaged and prepared if they are briefed about what to expect prior to their excursion.
A group discussion is an effective format to use. Ideas can be presented and questions posed for the children to consider. This may include discussion on how to behave when entering the building, how to sit and listen to the artist, what they might do during the workshop and who the artist is.
ArtPlay values your experience as a primary school teacher and the amount of information that you choose to disclose to your students about the workshop is entirely up to you. Remember, however, that the workshops are more effective if a majority of what the children will be doing is a surprise. Information made available on our website about the workshops is a brief for you, as the classroom teacher, and to help you prepare your students in whichever way you see fit.
What to bring with you to ArtPlay
In order to capture all those exciting, creative moments and document your children's progress during the workshop, we encourage all teachers to bring a camera with them to ArtPlay.
These photos can then be used after the excursion in follow-up lessons. Encourage your children to reflect on their time spent at ArtPlay, discuss the images, create a Powerpoint presentation or write a story. Help your children to understand that their time spent in the city was more then just a fun day out. Encourage them to consolidate their ideas, discuss what they learned, reflect on their involvement in the workshop and share their thoughts with their family and friends.
During the ArtPlay workshop
ArtPlay strongly believes in providing collaborative experiences and making every participant feel welcome. The bringing together of diverse cultures is one of ArtPlay's main goals. The professionals who run the workshops bring with them strong knowledge of a particular area of the arts. During our workshops they communicate these to young children in an understandable, modern and enjoyable way.
For example, in a workshop run at ArtPlay by Amanda King, children were involved in constructing a collaborative artwork known as Rangoli. Traditionally created in India, Amanda translated this style of artwork and made it relevant to the Australian culture.
Instead of using chalk to draw large symmetrical patterns on the concrete, as done by the women of India, the students were supplied with recycled materials such as bottle tops and spoons in order to create their own original Rangolli in the ArtPlay studio.
Teachers, parents and students are all encouraged to work together during the workshops to help create an actively productive team with a unified purpose.
During the workshops your students will be working alongside a professional artist as well as our qualified staff. The staff at ArtPlay are skilled at interacting with both the artist and the students and will help to ensure that the workshops run smoothly, are successful and enjoyable for the children.
ArtPlay staff members:
- Simon Spain, Creative Producer
- Bobby Napier, Front of House and School Bookings
- Eelin Cheah, Venue Coordinator
- Stephane Urruty, Program Coordinator
ArtPlay employs a range of skilled casual staff who may also work with you during the workshops. ArtPlay also provides the opportunity for university students to attend on a voluntary basis. As a result we often have extra staff members working at ArtPlay and assisting during the workshops.