What’s on in 2021

Welcome back to a new school year! We hope you have enjoyed a restful break and are feeling refreshed and inspired for a year full of creativity and innovation. After 2020, we’re all hoping for a year without restrictions and disruptions, so that we can focus on the best parts of the job – like the joy you feel every time a student enthusiastically responds to their own creative practice. 

Our aim is to build the pedagogy and practice of members through inspiring workshops, presentations and experiences. Here’s what’s happening this year: 

Member meetings

Saturday 27 February, 10.00am – 12.00pm
Join QATA for a tour of the Paint Factory artists’ studios and a glimpse into the proposed Paint Factory Arts Village planned for Yeronga. Over the past five years, the warehouse style buildings of the former Taubman’s paint factory (1952-2015) have evolved into a collaborative workspace for local and international artists such as Gordon Hookey, Richard Bell, Sandra Selig, Ryan Presley, Ross Manning, Vernon Ah Kee, Dale Harding and Judy Watson.

During the tour of the site, you will visit artists’ working studios and hear from some of the resident artists. The old factory buildings provide a perfect industrial creative stimulus and are well worth a look.

Book now for the Paint Factory tour

Thursday 11 February, 4.00pm
Darling Downs Cluster meeting
Venue: St Joseph’s College, Toowoomba
Art Building (Larkin), Room 12

Please come together to join us for our first networking meeting of the year. All new and relief teachers to the group are welcome. The purpose of this meeting is to set up our vision for the year; have a say on the program, where to meet, what PD you would like or other things you would like to cover.

This is a good opportunity to have some discussion on the upcoming IA1 submission, and might be of benefit to the group to discuss. Feel free to bring a sample to share or seek feedback on or to swap with someone.

Register here for the Darling Downs Cluster meeting

Membership

We have been updating our membership service to streamline registration for new and existing members. There are a few finishing touches to go before we officially open up for 2021 registration. Institutional members will now be responsible for registering their sponsored members to ensure that all members receive full access to resources, courses and exclusive content. All current memberships expire February 28.

Exclusive content for members

QATA financial members can now access exclusive content through the private Facebook group and members-only website pages (coming soon). These are spaces to find and share professional development, networks, ideas, feedback and resources. Stay tuned for the launch of a fabulous video resource featuring local artist Sophie Munns. This video has been produced by our resident filmmaker and treasurer, Bethany Loveridge and will be a fantastic resource for students of all year levels covering content specifically targeted for Queensland classrooms.

Conference

The conference team have been hard at work planning our 2021 conference, QATA Re-Connect 2021. This event is booked in for July 16 and 17 at TAFE Queensland South Bank campus, Brisbane. We hope to host over 200 teachers from all over Queensland and will be offering some sessions online for those who need to attend remotely. 

We have partnered with Primary Art Network, QAGOMA and QCAA to deliver a rich and dynamic program specifically targeting primary, middle years and senior Visual Art teachers. We are excited to present not one, but two inspiring keynote speakers – Sally Smart and Fiona Foley. In addition, participants will be able to select from over 14 hands-on workshops and participate in new programs for sharing and networking with creative professionals.

Tickets will go on sale during term 1 to allow more time for school approvals. Keep an eye on the Conference News page and our Facebook and Instagram for more details.

Tote bag competition

In 2020, we asked you to enter your favourite middle years student artworks to adorn our conference tote bags. Thank you to those who submitted entries last year before we had to cancel the conference. We’re pleased to return with this competition and will be inviting entries throughout the term. This is a great opportunity to celebrate the amazing work of our younger students and share innovative learning experiences with teaching colleagues. See the Conference News page for more details.

Stay tuned for more to come. 
Warmest regards,
The 2021 Executive committee

President: Dani Towers

Vice-president: Luana Davidson

Secretary: Kylie Dell

Treasurer: Bethany Loveridge

Communications officer: Mae McDonald

Conference coordinator: Vicki Williams