Header Photo: Jonathan Jones
naa (to see or look), 2015
The Arts and Young Children:
Marking the way forward
Museum of Contemporary Art Australia (MCA) | 140 George St, The Rocks NSW
Join us for an inspiring event, The Arts and Young Children: Marking the way forward, hosted in partnership with the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia. This enriching day will immerse early childhood educators and teachers in the power of arts-based curriculum, inspired by the transformative creative and cultural practices of contemporary artists. Through a lecture, a dynamic panel, and interactive workshops with MCA artist educators, you will consider how to integrate thoughtful, culturally rich artistic practices into your teaching.
The event will focus on ways to honour and celebrate Aboriginal perspectives, fostering young children's understanding and respect for First Nations cultures. Attendees will gain practical tools to embed arts-rich experiences into their learning environments, nurturing creativity, cultural awareness, and meaningful connections with children. Whether you’re an experienced educator or just beginning your arts-based journey, this event offers a unique opportunity to deepen your practice and contribute to a more thoughtful arts-based pedagogy. Don’t miss this chance to collaborate, learn, and be inspired by the intersection of arts and early childhood practice.
This special event will include a keynote presentation by Sydney-based artist of the Wiradyuri and Kamilaroi nations Jonathan Jones, followed by a panel discussion between Jonathan Jones, Rebecca Ray (Curator, Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Collection & Exhibitions, Museum of Contemporary Art Australia) and Dr Clare Britt (Researcher and Honorary Lecturer, Early Childhood/Primary Creative Arts - Visual Arts at Macquarie University)
Ticket cost: $295.00 incl. GST (includes tea/coffee and lunch)
Thursday, 20 March 2025
10:30am Registration for a 11:00am start to 4:00pm finish
Tickets for this event are sold as an add-on option and are only available to conference delegates. Registrations for this event are limited, register your interest early to avoid disappointment.
Guest speaker: Jonathan Jones
Jonathan Jones is a Sydney-based artist of the Wiradyuri and Kamilaroi nations of south-east Australia. He works closely with community to create a range of projects that talk to both the historical and contemporary. His projects are grounded in research and work with local Aboriginal elders and community to tell local stories. Jones is a researcher at Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education and Research, University of Technology Sydney.
Guest speaker: Rebecca Ray
Rebecca Ray is a Meriam woman descended from the Torres Strait Islands and is an experienced First Nations curator, writer and cultural heritage researcher. She has a wide range of curatorial experience working across grassroots communities, remote art centres, universities and galleries at regional and national levels. Currently, she is the Curator of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Collections and Exhibitions at the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia.
Rebecca holds a Bachelor of Arts (History and Sociology) from Griffith University, Queensland and has a research background in decolonisation, identity politics and intersectionality. She is passionate about re-Indigenisation and the reclamation of autonomous and sovereign spaces, with an interest in global First Nations relationality and solidarity that inform curatorial and research methodologies.
Photo credit: Marcus Wright
GETTING TO THE MCA
The MCA is located on Circular Quay West, Sydney, and is easily accessible by public transport. The Museum is a short walk from all major transport stops. To plan your trip on public transport, visit transportnsw.info.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
There are train, bus, tram and ferry routes to Circular Quay (the nearest station to MCA).
CAR
Wilson Parking can be found at 155 George Street (wheelchair accessible) and 35 Pitt Street, as well as the Overseas Passenger Terminal at 130 George Street. For the latest information on traffic conditions, visit livetraffic.com or download the Live Traffic NSW App.
For information on mobility parking spaces, see the map on the City of Sydney website.
