New NAVA Education Program: Embedding sector good practice in the classroom

Teacher Consultation

NAVA has begun work on a curriculum-linked Education Program that will support teachers and students in deepening their understanding of what good practice looks like in the visual arts, and why it’s important for artists, designers and craftspeople and those who engage with them.

Good practice is an essential part of the Visual Arts and Design curriculums across all states and territories. The new NAVA Code of Practice sets the standard for what good practice is in the visual arts sector. It will be launched in late 2022.

It's important for teachers and educators to tell NAVA about the resources they need so that we can support them in embedding sector good practice in classrooms.

Do you have questions or ideas?
Contact Education Coordinator, Schools Alise Hardy at alise@visualarts.net.au

What is the Code of Practice?

The Code of Practice for the Professional Australian Visual Arts, Craft and Design Sector (the Code) provides a set of good practice, ethical guidelines for the conduct between arts practitioners, arts sector employers in the Australian visual arts sector and those who work with them.

The Code was first published in 2001. While the Code has undergone a number of incremental revisions, so much has changed over the last two decades and this resource is now out-of-date and out-of-step current visual arts practice.

The new Code of Practice will be launched in late 2022. It will include new sections, including information about artists working with schools.

Find out more about NAVA’s revision of the Code of Practice.

Is the Code of Practice relevant to Visual Art and Design in schools?

Yes! The Australian Curriculum v9.0: The Arts is founded in professional visual arts practice.

The Code of Practice can be used as a starting point to explore all aspects of what it means to be a visual artist, designer or craftsperson in contemporary Australia. It can also guide teachers and schools in ethical, financially transparent and culturally competent ways to engage with local artists in the classroom or out in the community.

Find out more about NAVA's contribution to the Australian Curriculum review

What does NAVA do for Visual Art and Design education?

After a long campaign for art education in schools, beginning in 2003, the arts community welcomed the final endorsement of the National Curriculum: The Arts by the Education Council in 2015. NAVA played an integral role in advocating for its development.
Read more about the campaign, developments and timeline here.

In 2021, the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority’s (ACARA) opened the revised draft of the Australian Curriculum K-10 for public consultation. NAVA took a leading role in coordinating a visual arts, craft and design response to the review consulting with teachers, educators, students, artists and arts workers.
Read about NAVA's consultation and submission here.