About Galnyatj

Kaiela Arts offers two schools per term, the opportunity to bring groups of 10-15 First Nations students to participate in an 8 week series of workshops in the Kaiela Arts studio. Over 8 weeks, students work with local Aboriginal artists and qualified visual arts teachers to create artworks and plan a celebration or presentation of their work to share back with their school community.

Students build confidence, pride, skills and knowledge, as they work collaboratively and learn how to use visual arts and creative processes as a medium for expressing culture, identity and stories. Galnyatj offers students opportunities to work across a range of media and artforms including ceramics, drawing and painting, storytelling, textiles, weaving and fibreworks, singing and music, dance and print-making.

Curriculum Links

Galnyatj embeds elements outlined in the Victorian Curriculum First Nations Histories and Cultures conceptual framework, linking community art with Country, Place, Culture and People, and supporting authentic delivery of this cross-curriculum priority that is often unmet in the classroom.

For students in Years 5-10, Galnyatj develops students’ visual arts knowledge, capacity to express ideas and stories through visual arts, and opportunities to make and display artworks, through an Aboriginal lens.

For students undertaking Vocational Pathways Certificate, Galnyatj enriches curriculum with cultural arts practices, and provides students with opportunities to develop knowledge, skills and personal attributes relevant to further education and employment, with a creative industries and community project focus.

Aboriginal Ways of Working

Drawing inspiration from the 8-Ways of Aboriginal Learning pedagogy framework, Galnyatj teaches through Aboriginal processes, not just Aboriginal content. This approach enhances learning for students, validates Aboriginal culture and protocols, and builds cultural strength, belonging and pride for students.

Future Opportunities

Kaiela Arts addresses a gap in creative industries training and further education opportunities in our region.

Galnyatj supports older students participating in the program with opportunities for work experience and is also a potential stepping stone to future employment opportunities working front of house or in our studio.

We build creative industries skills and capabilities of First Nations employees as well as offering professional development and networking opportunities with the broader creative sector.

Building Community Connections

Through the Galnyatj program, many local First Nations children and young people connect with Kaiela Arts for the first, and hopefully not the last time! Galnyatj builds local Aboriginal students’ social and community connections through learning and working alongside local Aboriginal artists and Elders, and learning, creating and displaying artworks together in their schools and at Kaiela Arts.