Curtin Artists-in-Residence (AiR Program)
2025 Placements in Visual Arts, Drama and Media are now being planned. Come Join Us!
About the Curtin University AiR Program:
The AiR program has operated at Curtin via the School of Education since 2016 and annually places student artists from School of Media Creative Arts and Social Inquiry and School of Education in WA primary schools in Term 3 of the school year.
The artists work in partnership with teachers and students on a special art project beyond the scope of the standard curriculum. Most residencies are within visual arts, but there have been some projects in media and also drama disciplines.
Most projects have a duration of around 30-40 hours, are collaboratively designed and executed with the students and their Generalist Teacher. An increasing number are in remote/rural settings in partnership projects involving Curtin AiRs, Indigenous Elders and high Indigenous student numbers.
To date there have been more than 60 placements involving 1100 children working on Arts projects ranging from Murals, to Ceramic Sculpture Gardens, Glasswork, Claymation/Animation, Drama Productions and more.
A few highlights from our 2024 projects … more following
Cannington Community College (AiR: Jess Hyland/Host Emeline McGrath)… Photography Residency
“Jess demonstrated excellent skills and worked seamlessly with a group of Year 9 photography students, earning their admiration through her warm and kind-natured approach. Her expertise was evident, not only in her technical abilities but also in the way she engaged with the students”. Host Emeline McGrath
You can find out more about this yr 9 Photography Residency at Cannington Community College at the link below:
East Kenwick Primary School (AiR – Charzie Janovro/Host Suzanne Sharrock) … Ceramics Residency
“The new found love of gnomes spread acoss the school and we had little villages being made in the playground, stories of gnomes in narrative writing lessons and students sketching gnomes in their break times.” Suzanne Sharrock, Deputy Principal.
Belmay Primary Mural (AiR Jessica Kennedy/Host Sarah Durham) … Mural Residency
“Jessica did such a WONERFUL job on the mural…we ALL love it so much! Certainly, a lasting legacy for Belmay PS for many years to come”. Sarah Durham, Principal.
Forrestfield Primary Mural (AiR Hannah Morgan/Hot Georgia Young) … Mural Residency
Sutherland Dianella Primary (AiR Sophie Mitchell/Host Candice Louise) … Mural Residency
Churchlands Primary (AiR Olivia Crockford/Host Melinda Cockerill) … Mural Residency
Northcliffe District High School ( AiRs Katty and Jack Collis/Host Suzanne Fisher Principal)... Mural Residency
“The experience was truly transformative for our students and staff alike. Katty and Jack were nothing short of exceptional. Their professionalism and positive attitudes were evident from the moment they arrived each day. They seamlessly liaised with both staff and students, fostering a collaborative and inspiring environment. The night-time frog mural they created is a stunning addition to our school, and it has already become a beloved feature. What stood out most was their inclusive approach. Katty and Jack actively involved the students in the design and painting process, patiently explaining each step and encouraging creativity. This hands-on experience was invaluable for our students, who learned so much from their expertise and enthusiasm” Suzanne Fisher, Principal.
Advance call out for 2025 Artists
From the workshop …
For our Schools: Interested in participating in 2024? Wonderful! Please download the School Information Letter for details and send your EoI to Lisa or Mark.
For our Artists: Expressions of Interest have been received from the following schools to host a placement this year. Please select one or two you like and send your profile to Lisa/Mark for matching with school availability.
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A few highlights from Work in Progress or completed in 2024
WiP 2024 Mural at Belmay Primary
2024 Naidoc Week News…Nth Cottesloe Primary AiR Project Book Launch.
North Cottesloe Primary AiR Book Project “Kadjil The Crowman”. Illustrations by yr 4 students. Curtin Artist Josephine Johnson. In partnership with Little Scribes
A/Professor Lisa Paris (Curtin SoE) with Host Steph Mathews @ the Grove Library Book Opening 10th July 2024.
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2024 Confirmed Placements
- MATCHED …Balmay Primary, Cloverdale. Visual Arts Residency. Mural – local flora/fauna
- MATCHED …Cannington Community College. Visual Arts/Photography/Media residency.
- MATCHED…Chuchlands Primary, Churchlands. Visual Arts Residency. Mural or Sculptural installation
- MATCHED…East Kenwick Primary, Visual Arts Residency. Sculpture project – yr 2/3
- MATCHED… Forrestfield Primary, Forrestfield. Visual Arts Residency. Mural – local flora/fauna
- MATCHED… Lakelands Primary, Lakelands. Visual Arts Sculpture Residency.
- MATCHED… Northcliffe District High School, Northcliffe. Visual Arts Residency. Mural – local flora/fauna. *** Curtin funded travel stipend available. Accommodation provided by school.
- MATCHED … Perth Montessori School, Burswood. Visual Arts Residency. Ceramics installation.
- MATCHED…Sutherland Primary, Dianella. Visual Arts Residency. Shipping Container Mural. (50 students)
NB: Travel stipends are available for AiRs who take a remote rural placement (e.g. Northcliffe District High School). Billeting or accommodation provided by host school.
Tayla Fordham reflects on her two experiences as a Curtin artist in residence
Teaching Innovation and Excellence Award (2023)
The Curtin Artist in Residence Program was the recipient of the Curtin University Teaching Innovation and Excellence Award for 2023. We were proud to accept the award on behalf of the amazing artists and teachers and children in our AiR Program Placements. You can find out more about the AiR program by clicking on the Podcast button below.
Pictured left to right: Program Coordinators : Mark Parfitt, Rebecca Shillington and Lisa Paris with Curtin Vice Chancellor Professor Harlene Hayne at the Awards Ceremony.
“Behind the Curtin” Podcast
The Podcast reveals benefits experienced by this year’s Curtin artists, host teachers and children as Program Coordinators Lisa Paris and Mark Parfit reflect on the journey thus far and the pathway ahead.
Recent Placements Highlights
Remote-Rural Spotlight: Avonvale Primary Mural Project 17-22nd July 2023
Generalist Teacher Lea and MCASI Artists Remy and Grace worked with a range of children at Avonvale Primary in Northam to produce a stunning mural depicting the beautiful Avon River and surrounding bushland. Host Teacher Lea observed: Many of our learners from years 2 to 6 had the opportunity to meet the artists and to help with the design process and the painting. The mural has brightened the school beautifully and helped unite our community.The aim of the project was to create a landscape mural that celebrates the local flora and fauna as well as the community within the school. Depicting the Avon river and the lush greenery found along its bank as the background to the mural.
Remote-Rural Spotlight: Paraburdoo Primary Mural Project 17-22nd July 2023
Host Teacher Principal Caragh and MCASI Artists Taylor and Ross devised a project inspired by the local flora and fauna of significance to the Paraburdoo Primary community. Host Caragh observed: My own teaching career was kickstarted by an AiR placement, so I was thrilled to facilitate a similar experience for students at the school that I lead. I appreciated how our Artists, Ross and Taylor considered the local community and environment in each stage of the project and then prioritised our students’ authentic contribution to the artwork. The community response to the artwork has been wonderful, particularly watching children bring their parents in to show them where they added their own little design to the mural. Paraburdoo Primary School from year groups 4 to 6 created a mural based on the local community and biodiversity of the surrounding area. The project was a hands-on interactive visual art experience that encouraged the children to express their own ideas about what their life in Paraburdoo is like. The focus was on a range of animals and flowers chosen by each class as their totem. For example, willy wag tail, magpie, crow, emu and eagle with flowers chosen from those found locally. The indigenous flag colours were used to express the school’s close connection to First Nations Culture and every child’s handprint conveys their experience of participating in the creation of the mural with pride in their accomplishment.
A few illustrations of past residencies follow on our ‘slider’ presentation (click the button to view the AiR site project details/images) and also after our past participants list 2016-2023.
Past Participants: 2016-2023
| Alkimos Primary (2016) | Holy Cross College (2017) | St Maria Goretti Primary (2017) |
| Atwell College (2018) | Jandakot Primary (2016) | St Stephen’s School Duncraig (2018) |
| Australind Primary (2017) | Kensington Primary (2021) | Subiaco Primary (2018) |
| Avonvale Primary (2023) | Kolbe Catholic College (2017) | Success Priimary (2023) |
| Balcatta Primary (2016) | Lakelands Primary (2016; 2018) | Tuart Hill Pri (2016; 2017; 2018) |
| Beckenham Primary (2016; 2018) | Living Waters Lutheran (2017) | Victoria Park Primary (2017) |
| Beeliar Primary (2016; 2017; 2018) | Manning Primary (2018) | Woodvale Primary School (2016) |
| Brentwood Primary School(2019) | Merredin College (2017) | |
| Bull Creek Primary (2023) | Mt Lawley Primary (2018) | |
| Camboon Primary School (2017) | Mt Lawley Senior High (2016; 2017) | |
| CanningVale Pri (2016; 2017; 2018) | Nth Cottesloe Primary (2016; 2018, 2023) | |
| Currumbine Senior High (2016) | North Kalgoorlie Primary (2017) | |
| Dalmain Primary (2016; 2018) | North Parmelia Primary (2016) | |
| Eden Hill Primary School (2017) | Parraburdoo Primary (2023) | |
| Eddystone Primary (2016; 2018) | Perth College (2021) | |
| Forrestfield Primary 2023 | School of Isolated and Distance Education (2018) | |
| Guildford Grammar (2016) | South Lake Primary (2021, 2023) | |
| Hammond Park Primary (2018) | St Gerard’s Catholic (2017) | |
| Highgate Primary (2016) | St Luke’s Catholic Primary (2016) |
Perth College, AiR ‘Mini-E’ Performance Project, 2021
Kensington Primary, local flora/fauna mural, 2021
Beckenham Primary, Printmaking ‘Great Waves’, 2018
Dalmain Primary, Ground Mural, 2018 Residency.
AiR Program Coordinators A/P Lisa Paris and Mr Mark Parfitt welcome enquiries from host schools at any time:
Contact Lisa via lisa.paris@curtin.edu.au/Ph 0412 754 796
Contact Mark via M.Parfitt@curtin.edu.au