8-10 Visual Arts Excursion to the NGV

We began the day at the Koorie Heritage Trust in Federation Square. We were lucky enough to arrive during a smoking ceremony marking the beginning of Reconciliation Week. Students explored the centre's three levels and learned about the rich cultures, histories and contemporary stories of Victorian First Peoples.

The Koorie Heritage Trust is a significant cultural institution for Melbourne and Australia, recognised as the first stand-alone First Peoples arts and cultural centre in an Australian capital city. It provided students with a valuable opportunity to engage with Indigenous perspectives, stories and artworks in a meaningful way.

From there, we walked to the NGV International, where we met with our educators for a guided tour. The tour focused on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and the impressive collection of First Nations artworks displayed throughout the ground floor galleries. Students learned about the stories, ideas and cultural significance behind a range of artworks and were actively involved in discussions throughout the tour.

Afterwards, students had time to explore the gallery at their own pace, discovering artworks and exhibitions that interested them most.

Before heading home, we stopped at Southgate for lunch and enjoyed some time by the Yarra River. It was a wonderful day filled with art, culture and inspiration, giving students plenty of ideas and experiences to bring back into their own creative practice.