Ignition: Collective Energy in Motion, Powering Visual Arts Education
VADEA NSW is excited to announce that the VADEA 2026 Conference Ignition will be held on Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd May 2026, at Liverpool Powerhouse.
Visual Arts and Design educators working within teaching, curriculum, museum and/or gallery contexts are invited to submit a presentation proposal to share innovative strategies for navigating and implementing emerging pedagogy and research at a time of significant curriculum reform. In the spirit of Ignition, we seek contributions that reflect collective energy in motion - collaborative, practical, critically aware, and advocacy-driven approaches that power practice forward.
Enter the engine chamber
Where ideas ignite and converge
Fuelled by diverse voices and viewpoints
Activating teacher agency as designers of future learning
Curating learning experiences that connect classroom, artworlds and contemporary practice
From intention to impact, ignition becomes propulsion
Sustaining momentum as a collective force into the future
VADEA is seeking presentations that focus on the conference theme of Ignition: Collective Energy in Motion, Powering Visual Arts Education, to activate collaborative professional learning in a transformative way, including units of work, case studies, research and classroom practices that will promote the implementation of the NSW K-6 Creative Arts and 7-10 Visual Arts syllabuses, and explore new opportunities for Stage 6 Visual Arts. Applicants must submit a presentation title, a brief overview outlining the focus and format of the session, a short explanation of how it connects to the conference theme, and an indication of the relevant syllabus areas addressed.
PRESENTATION GUIDELINES
Applicants are invited to focus on ONE of the following perspectives arising from the NSW K-6 Creative Arts syllabus, 7-10 Visual Arts syllabus or current/upcoming Stage 6 Visual Arts syllabus:
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1.Transforming Reform into Creative Force - Responding to NSW Curriculum Reform with depth and intent Present a research example focused on empowering students and teachers through transformative classroom practices and pedagogy, addressing how educators can respond to the recently released K-6 Creative Arts or 7-10 Visual Arts syllabus, or the upcoming Stage 6 Visual Arts syllabus consultation in 2025. 15-minute or 30-minute Research Presentation |
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2. Spark to System - From conceptual shifts to practical application in K-12 contexts Present an adapted or newly devised unit of work, investigation, task or resource for K-6 Creative Arts or 7-10 Visual Arts that explores the potential, possibilities and interrelations of Artworld Concepts, Viewpoints and/or Practice. Or present a Stage 6 Visual Arts case study that considers new opportunities for investigating content areas. 15-minute or 30-minute Resource Presentation |
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3. Powering Practice - Generating new possibilities through creative and critical practice Present a practical workshop that focuses on innovative approaches or strategies for engaging students through art making and/or critical and historical studies, to promote students’ own practice as artists and/or art critics, historians or curators. Consider the significance of new technologies and interdisciplinary practices. 1 hour or 2 hour Workshop Presentation |
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
To submit a presentation proposal, complete this Google Form by Friday 20th March, 5:00pm.
For enquiries, email contact@vadea.org.au.
The VADEA team looks forward to receiving your submission.