VISUAL ARTS

INTRODUCING VIVIAN QIU: REGIONAL ARTS VICTORIA'S CREATIVE WORKERS IN SCHOOLS PROGRAM AT McKINNON

In response to creative workers impacted by COVID-19, Regional Arts Victoria in partnership with Department of Education and Training and Creative Victoria invited schools across the state to apply for the Creative Workers in Schools (CWS) program. 

The program is intended to assist creatives to gain extended experience in working within school and community settings and develop transferrable skills for future work opportunities. The CWS program is described as offering “creative learning opportunities for students that highlight the value of the arts at a time where creative expression, hope and the sense of community are needed more than ever, and provide schools with an alternative approach to address learning objectives through creative projects or activities." 

McKinnon Secondary College are delighted to announce that our successful application for the CWS program paired us with textile artist and jewellery designer Vivian Qiu. Vivian’s skill in fashion and jewellery production, in combination with her experience facilitating immersive workshops for Craft Victoria and Melbourne Design Week, make her the ideal candidate to develop and implement creative projects for our young artists and designers across the McKinnon curriculum. 

Teachers Mr Peter Eglezos and Ms Raphaella Roden have been developing project plans in collaboration with Vivian and students from Year 9 Sculpture and Year 10 Design Technology. The focus on student voice and implementation of new technologies at the school, including our 3D Printer and Laser cutter, are an ideal testing ground for McKinnon’s new East Campus curriculum.

The Arts faculty as a whole are keen to collaborate with Vivian to allow students to be more certain in their creative choices and lead them away from the “right and wrong” mindset. The authenticity of having Vivian embedded in our school over the next six months will be a joyful and significant addition to an already thriving arts and design culture at McKinnon. 

Ms Jessica Rogosic 

Visual Communication Design and Studio Arts Teacher  & Creative Workers in Schools Coordinator