ArtPlay/ArTELIER Exchange
An interstate learning exchange in partnership with City of Melbourne’s ArtPlay Centre
About the exchange
In late April 2019 over 4 days, 2 networks of artists who work with children and young people met, worked together and learned from each other. This was an opportunity for cooking up ideas, incubating creativity, supporting quality and relational arts practice. It inspired our dialogue with art, with material, with children and young people and with our communities. ArtPlay in Melbourne offers a creative and meaningful program for children and families through engaging professional artists. Signal, an allied program, offers arts opportunities for young people aged 13 to 25. Artplay and Signal support artists’ practice through program opportunities and an artist learning program. Eight ArTELIER artists visited ArtPlay to participate in this great learning opportunity - part contribution, part residency, part training and part tour.
What did we do?
The program over the four days was rich and full. Artelier artists Kirsty Grierson and Leigh Tesch, Lucien Simon and Sarah Wright, and Julie Drouhin delivered workshops with ArtPlay participants. The sessions were supported by ArtPlay within their programming and ArTELIER artists could observe sessions and share feedback. ArtPlay staff shared the way they work at Signal and at ArtPlay. There were opportunities to listen to artists about their practice (Sue Davis and her artclub program with 7-12 year old) , and to attend the artist professional development day facilitated by The Seam and Drop Bear Theatre, that explored relational practice and intentionality in artmaking with babies and families. We visited Footscray Community Arts Centre, had a fascinating session on materiality led by Kelly Boucher, Vic Uni, that encouraged us to see our materials anew, by considering paper and what it can do. Another insightful session considering toys and gender expression was led by Lenine Bourke, Tristram and Sam.
Our reflections
The value of this kind of learning and exchange seeps in and affects how we understand what we do and how it affects others. It was invaluable to contribute the Melbourne program and learn from their well-honed ways of resourcing and supporting artists to deliver their work. We shared practicalities, artistic innovations and thoughtful and reflective practice. Our work is enriched. It was pleasing to be well received by audiences out of our state
