Art Pathways

2015 - 2016  
The Art Pathways program began in 2015 and provided learning experiences connecting the Gallery directly with schools in Greater Sydney.  The aim of the program was to provide access to the Gallery’s collection and resources for low SES school communities, including Indigenous students and students with disability. 

Our numbers in art have gone up since then. We can see the effect it’s had. Our relationships with the students improved … we were able to work with them on a different level. 
Teacher, 2016 

2017 -2019 
The program was expanded through Art Pathways Plus, working directly with Greater Sydney arts centres; Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre, Campbelltown Arts Centre and The Leo Kelly Blacktown Arts Centre.  

 Students were able to understand why and how we make art, and the overall purpose. They are learning to express themselves through critical thinking and developing questioning skills. 
Teacher, 2018 

2020 - 2022 
The AGNSW secured an additional three-year grant from the Crown Resorts Foundation and Packer Family Foundation for the next phase of the program. In 2020 we were thrilled to partner with the Fairfield City Museum and Gallery, supporting schools in the local area. 

 Our partnership with the AGNSW created great opportunities for us to work much more closely with our local High Schools. Our professional learning days provided an insight into how some of the High Schools engage their students with the arts. 
The Leo Kelly Blacktown Arts Centre, 2019 

Approximately 8, 000 students and teachers have participated in the Art Pathways program over the past 6 years.   

This program was a great opportunity for students to get out and see real art, experience an exhibition and the chance to work with artists. It was a chance to put things into perspective for them and make links with their class artwork.   
Teacher, 2017  

 Independent evaluation reports were conducted for both the 2015-16 and 2017-19 Art Pathways programs. 

 As a result of this evaluation, we found that students; 

• reported a high satisfaction with their involvement in the program, 

• valued their interactions with education staff and artist educators, and 

• felt the program activities opened their eyes to the myriad of ways that they can ‘make art’ beyond just drawing and painting. 

Art can be simple, it doesn’t have to be big, huge, magnificent, complex. When I think of art it’s just basically being creative and using your imagination.  
Student, 2018 

 We found that teachers; 

• identified an increase in student confidence, interest and self-esteem, 

• saw the program promoting teamwork and collaboration, and 

• felt working with practising artists informed their own ways of working and exposed students to authentic experiences. 

The connections with the artists, educators and Art Gallery are invaluable to our students. They inspire our students to set goals and follow their passions. 
Teacher, 2019 

 We found that Art Centres; 

• identified that working with the AGNSW was a valuable experience, with added benefits of learning from each other, 

• grew the number of schools beyond those that currently visit, and 

• were able to make new connections, and re-connections, to encourage future school visits, as well as increasing student access to different art forms on offer. 

Blacktown Arts truly values this partnership and the learnings gained. The partnership has been instrumental for us to continue our dialogue with local High Schools to engage them in our program. 
The Leo Kelly Blacktown Arts Centre, 2019 

The Art Pathways program utilises a best-practice approach of strong collaboration between education experts and artists.  

Students working with artists increase their understanding of artmaking, art skills and concepts, as well as the professional arts world. Students show heightened enthusiasm and confidence when working with artists, acquiring greater personal and social learning.  

Teachers also benefit, showing increased confidence, improved artistic abilities and greater understanding in and enthusiasm for art and ideas.  

The gallery artists and educators always make our students feel so special, valued and welcomed. The artists make connections with our students that encourage and promote risk-taking in their artmaking.  
Teacher, 2019 

Lead artists 
2017 Louise Zhang 

2018 Marion Abboud 

2019 Marikit Santiago 

2020 Shireen Taweel 

We were able to inspire young artists and show them that an arts career is viable, valuable and valid. It’s easier to convince younger people that this is possible and is a legitimate career. 
Artist, 2019 

2015
Bankstown Girls High School, Bankstown Public School, Blacktown Boys High School, Bonnyrigg High School, Chester Hill High School, Fairfield Public School, Strathfield South High School, Wiley Park Girls High School, Doonside Technology High School, Villawood North Public School 
Dawson Public School, Campbellfield Public School, John Warby Public School, Thomas Reddall High School, Eagle Vale High School 
Thomas Pattison School, Rowland Hassall School, Condell Park High School, Holroyd School, Cambridge Park High School 

2016 
Wiley Park Public School, Auburn Girls High School, Fairfield Public School, Bankstown Girls High School, St Johns Park High School, Arthur Phillip High School, Doonside Technology High School, Bankstown Public School, Villawood North Public School 
Airds High School, Blackett Public School, Thomas Reddall High School, Hilltop Road Public School, St Marys Public School 
Cambridge Park High School, Nepean High School, Holroyd School, Rowland Hassell School, ASPECT Western Sydney 

2017 - Casula Powerhouse Arts centre 
Art Pathways (primary schools): Liverpool West Public School, Miller Public School, Holdsworthy Public School, Lurnea Public School, Warwick Farm Public School, Ashcroft Public School, Busby Public School, Casula Public School, Sadleir Public School  

Art Pathways Plus (secondary schools): Hoxton Park High School, Miller Technology High School, Lurnea High School, Liverpool Boys High School, James Busby High School, Leumeah High School, John Edmondson High School 

 2018 - Campbelltown Arts Centre 
Art Pathways (primary schools): John Warby Public School, Campbelltown East Public School, Bradbury Public School, Ambarvale Public School, Sarah Redfern Public School, Thomas Acres Public School, Rosemeadow Public School, Campbelltown Public School, Camden Public School, Blairmount Public School 

Art Pathways Plus (secondary schools): Campbelltown Performing Arts High School, Thomas Reddall High School, Eagle Vale High School, Ambervale High School, Sarah Redfern High School, Robert Townson High School 

2019 - The Leo Kelly Blacktown Arts Centre 
Art Pathways (primary schools): Walters Road Public School, Seven Hills West Public School, Seven Hills Public School, The Meadows Public School, Blacktown South Public School, Doonside Public School, Bidwell Public School, Blacktown West Public School, Blacktown North Public School 

Art Pathways Plus (secondary schools): Doonside Technology High School, Blacktown Girls High School, Blacktown Boys High School, Mitchell High School, Rooty Hill High School, Seven Hills High School, Evans High School 

2020 – Fairfield City Museum and Gallery 
Art Pathways: Fairfield High School, Fairfield Intensive English Unit, Fairvale High School, Cabramatta High School, Westfields Sports High School, Bonnyrigg High School, Bossley Park High School, Canley Vale High School, Prairiewood High School