Written by: Kristen Retallick, Galnyatj Coordinator, Kaiela Arts
The Galnyatj Experience
Four months on from our very first Proud & Strong Appeal we are delighted to share the incredible impact of the Galnyatj Program. Thanks to the support of our community, local First Nations students have participated in meaningful cultural, creative and educational opportunities that have strengthened their connection to Country, culture, stories and art.
Bookings Open!
Term 4 bookings are open for schools to take part in Galnyatj at Kaiela Arts. Galnyatj is a cultural learning program for First Nations students that provides opportunities for young people to connect with culture, Country, community and creativity. Students learn alongside Aboriginal artists and Elders at Kaiela Arts, whilst becoming familliar with our studio and gallery as a space for them. Sessions are designed to be hands-on, relational, and responsive to each group. Students will learn about Yorta Yorta culture and stories, they might spend time drawing and noticing outdoors and take part in creative activities including ceramics, weaving, printmaking and collaborative artmaking.
Book your students in or enquire to discuss options
Fully subsidised places are available
Through the Galnyatj Access Program, eligible schools and students can access fully subsidised Galnyatj sessions, helping ensure cost isn’t a barrier to participation.
We particularly encourage schools to get in touch if you have First Nations students who may benefit from learning in a smaller group, while finding ways to connect with culture as part of their learning in an alternate environment to conventional classroom learning.
Programs can be shaped around the needs, interests and year levels of your students, and we’ll work with teachers to plan an experience that is meaningful for your group. Places are limited, so we encourage schools interested in accessing a subsidised session to get in touch or submit a booking enquiry.
Apply for “Proud and Strong” Access Fund
Galnyatj in action
Earlier this year, students from St George’s Road Primary School joined us for Galnyatj, spending time outdoors drawing, observing and connecting with the environment around Kaiela Arts. While we were drawing by the lake, students got to witness a little bit of local wildlife drama when a Water Rat cheekily stole a fish that a bird had caught for its lunch!
These unexpected moments are part of what makes learning outdoors and tuning into Country so valuable. Galnyatj encourages students to slow down, look closely and notice what is happening around them, using drawing and creativity to build connections with Country, place and the living world.
Students take the lead on our upcoming exhibition
An exciting Galnyatj exhibition is taking shape at Kaiela Arts, bringing together work by students from Shepparton Flexible Learning Centre and St George’s Road Primary School alongside contributions from the broader community.
Over the next couple of weeks, students will be involved in making decisions about how their work is presented, giving them a voice in shaping the exhibition and sharing their creative experiences with Kaiela Arts visitors and community.
The exhibition will also include work that speaks to the knowledge sharing that has supported their making. This includes Aunty Cynthia Hardie’s Coolamons, which were used as moulds by students to create their own ceramic works, alongside contributions from Kaiela Arts artists and Elders.
We look forward to celebrating what our artists have created.️
