Schools urged to form creative partnerships

SCHOOLS in the Campaspe region are encouraged to join forces with artists and creative professionals as part of a Victorian Government program to expand student learning and breathe creativity into the curriculum.

Applications are now open for the Creative Learning Partnerships program, which enables schools to tap into Victoria’s wealth of creative talent to deliver meaningful and inspiring learning experiences for students — from foundation to year 10.

State Member for Northern Victoria Mark Gepp invited local schools to think big and creatively when pairing with a creative individual or organisation and submitting their idea for a collaborative project.

“The Creative Learning Partnerships program offers a fantastic opportunity for Northern Victorian schools to work directly with professional artists, writers, performers, film-makers or designers to deliver high-impact creative projects,” he said.

“The Victorian Government is proud to support this program, as creativity brings a wealth of educational, social and developmental benefits for children.”

Grants of $10,000 are available for projects in collaboration with an individual creative and $35,000 for projects with a creative organisation. The creatives must work in the school for at least 20 days and all projects must have strong links to the curriculum.

Projects can produce a raft of benefits for students, from enhanced critical and creative thinking to improved personal and social confidence and intercultural and ethical capabilities.

They can also amplify learning across curriculum areas such as maths, science, humanities or physical education.

Using creative mediums such as film, animation, music, projection art, design, podcasting and more, past projects have explored topics such as identity, local history, the environment, connection to country and online safety.

While applications will be accepted from all Victorian primary and secondary government and nongovernment schools, this year priority will be given to applications from schools with a high number of students experiencing significant social disadvantage.

Schools, creative practitioners and organisations that would like to participate but haven’t yet formed a partnership can contact Creative Victoria program staff to register their interest.

Applications close on October 1. For more information and to apply visit creative.vic.gov.au

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The program offers a fantastic opportunity for Northern Victorian schools to work directly with professional artists, writers, performers, film-makers or designers.’

— Mark Gepp