past events

Art Empowers

Keynote Speakers: Marikit Santiago and Peter O'Connor.

This years theme: ART EMPOWERS, invited educators to deepen their understanding and teaching of art’s impactful role on individual, communities and broader society. It provides a means of expression, promoting emotional and cultural growth. Embrace the opportunity to refine your educational strategies and inspire empowerment through art in your students.

The Art of Wellbeing

Keynote Speakers: Patricia Piccinini and Henry Ward

Explore ideas and strategies on how art and art-based learning can empower your students through nurturing their capabilities, creativity and resilience.  

Learn from contemporary artists who tell stories through their practice; and hear from leading educators with evidence-based messages of how using arts-based pedagogies can support schools  – build connections, inclusion and student voice.

Celebrating Women In Art

Keynote Speakers: Julie Rrap and Artist Panel - Tai Snaith, Stanislava Pinchuk, Julia Gutman, Angela Tiatia, Marikit Santiago and Kim Leutwyler

Celebrate the work and art practice of Women – with a focus on gender equity and an enhanced understanding of Women’s profound and diverse contribution to culture. 

Bring new imaginations to Art and freshening up perceptions of art history – rewriting, rethinking and reinvigorating the story of Art.

Celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art

Keynote Speakers: Maree Clarke - Mutti Mutti, Yorta Yorta, BoonWurrung/Wemba Wemba, and
Vernon Ah Kee - Kuku Yalandji, Waanji, Yidinji and Gugu Yimithirr

The 2021 Zart Conference focused on giving educators the confidence, knowledge and skills to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, histories and cultures in their classrooms.

The program was designed around three key themes:

Listening: Working directly with distinguished First Nations educators, artists and thought leaders to promote rich and meaningful approaches to teaching and learning.

Learning: Building confidence through pedagogical knowledge and practices that focus on growth to positively engage students.

Celebrating: Creating a supportive school climate that embraces and celebrates the diverse cultural knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures.

Nurturing Creativity

Keynote Speakers: CJ Hendry (USA)  and Dr Henry Ward (UK)

Never have we been more isolated and more connected at the same time.

The Zart Conference was for the first time hosted entirely online. A reformatted experience translating all the practical and engaging elements of the face-to-face conferences online. Delivering practical workshops and inspirational talks from national and international artists and educators, the Zart Conference continues to celebrate contemporary art practice and support teachers to implement it in their classrooms. 

Keynotes: Abdul Abdullah and Abdul-Rahman Abdullah

A practical and inspiring professional learning event for art educators.

Hosted onsite at St Leonard’s College in Melbourne (Bunurong Country).

The Zart Conference provides the opportunity for teachers to work directly with contemporary artists and expert educators to grow and develop their skill and knowledge. Sharing strategies to positively engage and support students.

Keynote: Del Kathryn Barton

A practical and inspiring professional learning event for art educators.

Hosted onsite at St Leonard’s College in Melbourne (Bunurong Country).

The Zart Conference provides the opportunity for teachers to work directly with contemporary artists and expert educators to grow and develop their skill and knowledge. Sharing strategies to positively engage and support students.

Keynote: Patricia Piccinini

A practical and inspiring professional learning event for art educators.

Hosted onsite at St Leonard’s College in Melbourne (Bunurong Country).

The Zart Conference provides the opportunity for teachers to work directly with contemporary artists and expert educators to grow and develop their skill and knowledge. Sharing strategies to positively engage and support students.