Stage 3: mentorship and master class

Mentorship

Students from each school who have particpated in both stage 1 and 2 during the year are invited to apply for a short but intensive mentorship at the Gallery.

The most outstanding applicants from each of the participating schools will attend a five-day mentoring program focusing on:

• a particular area of interest within the Gallery, such as curatorial or conservation
• art-making workshop with a prominent artist
• deeper investigations into the working of the art world

"My first experience, I was very nervous and had no idea what we were going to do. Everything just shifted and I had a marvellous time. The curatorial session was one the best experiences that I had. Connie provided me with a lot of information that I never knew about her job. It was amazing to see how walls are broken down, walls are painted on and how they show fabulous works to the public. Furthermore she has increased my interest in pursuing a career in curatorial art. I actually loved every moment of the mentorship because I learnt about topics that I never knew existed."
Patrick Tadros - Strathfield South High School and 2007 Mentoree

"I am looking to pursue a science degree and hopefully be able to do restoration work, as it is still a very strong interest of mine. The experience I gained from Artside-In gave me so much more insight with my yr 12 HSC and even the examinations. I was able to take the things I have learned and used them as examples in the essay questions. Having an insight into an artist practice greatly expanded not only my understanding of the theoretical side of the HSC but also gave me a head start in my own HSC artwork and how I could present it, and create it. This mentorship program was extremely useful and memorable."
Michela Warton, Airds High School and 2007 Mentoree

"I gained an insight into the art world which I found highly valuable as it showed me possible career opportunities and lots of programs and other interesting aspects of the art community which I will eventually take part in, or hope to take part in. I was able to better explain the role of art galleries to my friends and colleagues and understand the demands and importance of a number of occupations and roles the art gallery offers."
Alison Ten Bohmer, Chester Hill High School and 2008 Mentoree

Day 1: The gallery context

• 9.30-10 Arrive at AGNSW
• 10-11 Introduction to the gallery discussion tour
• 11-12 VAPD session - exolore, develop and resolve
• 12-1 Lunch
• 1-4 Intensive mentoring experience
• 4-4.30 Discussion, reflection and documentation 

Day 2: The role of the artist

• 9:30 Arrive at AGNSW - briefing
• 10-12 Beg, borrow and steal drawing workshop with artist
• 12-12.45 Lunch
• 1-2 Artist’s studio visit
• 2:30-3:30 NG Art Gallery - the artist / art dealer relationship
• 3:30-4 Travel back to AGNSW
• 4-4.30 Discussion, reflection and documentation  

Day 3: The art audience

• 9.30 Arrive at AGNSW
• 10-11 Sotheby’s auction house - why buy and sell art?
• 11:30-12.30 Artbank
• 12:30-1 Travel to AGNSW
• 1-2 Lunch  
• 2-2.30 Research library and archive - introduction
• 2:30-3:30 Self-guided research time  
• 3.30-4.30 Discussion, reflection and documentation 

Day 4: Artworlds within worlds

• 9.30 Arrive at AGNSW
• 9:30-11 Curators talk and exhibition walk through
• 11-12 Yiribana - contemporary Indigenous art practice  
• 12-1 Lunch
• 2-3 Contemporary art project space - curator talk
• 3-3:30 Mentor feedback session
• 3:30-4.30 Discussion, reflection and documentation 

Day 5: The Artwork

• 9:30 Arrive at AGNSW
• 10-12 Brett Whiteley studio
• 1-3 National Art School
• 3-4 Collaborative documentation and evaluation
• 4-4.30 Wrap up in public programs

Master class

The master class offers students who have participated in both stage 1 and 2 during the year first hand experience of the National Art School campus. Three students from each participating school are chosen to attend this two day workshop focusing on:

• learning a range of printmaking and drawing skills and techniques
• working under the tuition of professional artists to understand contemporary art practice
• broadening the range of options and strategies used when planning a body of work

"There’s a lot of great artists in the workshop so I had to work hard to do my best."
Ariane Talosig - Doonside Technology High School

"By participating in the workshop I was able to get to know other students from other schools, and share ideas as well as give advice on certain things. I felt very independent and self-confident in being around the National Art School. By experimenting with printmaking techniques, I was able to understand the process of making art. It wasn't easy because it required steps and methods that had to be followed precisely. I learnt that not everything would turn out perfect. We all make mistakes and from making mistakes we all can benefit and learn from those mistakes for future practice. Working on an artwork does take a lot of time and requires step by step processes such as, gathering ideas, preparing equipment, formulating images with the press machinery etc. I have gained an understanding for my year 12 HSC body of work; I learnt that I should stay focused by not rushing too much on my artwork and managing my time effectively so that all my objectives can be accomplished."
Amalia Wakid - Bankstown Girls High School

"It was funny that day because I have never ever even considered abstract painting (not that I don’t like it, but more because I didn’t know how to), but that day nearly all my artworks which I produced were abstract! The girls and I were talking about it on the train back home and I just thought it was funny how it has changed my practise a little. The workshop has given me a chance to consider different art making strategies (including printmaking, of course) and has taught me a lot in regards to sketching as well. Even though the girls and I were so tired by the end of the day, we REALLY did enjoy ourselves. It was a great day which allowed us to explore artworks made by various artists which all portrayed different meanings as well as learning about the different ways of print making. Another really nice thing was having lunch out on the grass; NAS is a really nice place."
Angie Kim - Chester Hill High School

Master class gallery 2008