NGV's Adult Learning Programs

Unveiling a World of Art, Design, and Ideas

14 August 2024

Mark Rothko, Untitled (Red) 1958 oil on canvas 208.4 x 124.5 cm
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne Purchased through The Art Foundation of Victoria, 1982

The National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) has announced an exciting new season of adult learning programs offering a range of courses and talks designed to engage art enthusiasts of all levels. With options for both online and in-person participation, these programs provide unique opportunities to explore the world of art and design under the guidance of NGV curators, educators, and international experts.

Online Courses: Flexibility Meets Expertise

NGV's online courses offer an accessible gateway to art and design history through self-guided digital experiences. From August, participants can delve into various art movements and themes over an eight-week period, completing weekly readings, videos, and activities at their own pace.

The upcoming lineup includes courses on Impressionism (starting August 16), Women in Art & Design (September 6), Surrealism: 1920s to Now (October 11), Colour (October 25), and First Peoples Art & Design from Australia (November 1). These courses provide comprehensive insights into their respective subjects, drawing from the NGV's extensive collection.

Immersive In-Person Experiences

For those seeking a more hands-on approach, NGV offers one-day courses and four-week evening programs. These in-person sessions allow participants to engage directly with artworks and experts in a gallery setting.

Highlights include a one-day Colour course on August 31, featuring guest expert David Coles, founder of Langridge Artist Colours, who will share insights on pigment history. On September 7, curators will lead an exploration of women's contributions to art and design history. A Surrealism-focused course on November 23 will trace the movement's evolution and enduring influence.

The four-week evening courses dive deeper into specific themes, with upcoming programs on First Peoples Art & Design from Australia (August 28 - September 18) and Surrealist Art & Design (October 9-30).

Workshop as part of the Colour: One Day Intensive, held at The National Gallery of Victoria on 16 September 2023. Photographer: Tobias Titz

Scholars Series: In-Depth Presentations by Global Experts

The NGV Scholars Series brings world-leading art historians to the gallery for in-depth presentations on iconic works from the NGV Collection. Upcoming talks include Dr. Ken Wach on Hans Arp and Surrealism (September 25), coinciding with the 100th anniversary of the Surrealist Manifesto.

Observations 2024: Exploring the History of Dress

October 2024 will see the return of Observations, an NGV-curated online seminar series. This year's focus is on the history of dress, examining its role in art, social expression, and political change from the Elizabethan era to the 20th century. The three-part series will cover key moments in dress history (October 12), freedom of dress from 1900-1950 (October 19), and 20th-century influences, including fashion magazines and dress in LGBTQI+ and post-colonial African communities (October 26).

These learning opportunities reflect NGV's commitment to making art and design accessible to all. Whether online or in-person, participants can expect to gain new perspectives, deepen their understanding, and cultivate a greater appreciation for the visual arts. With expert-led instruction and access to one of Australia's premier art collections, NGV's adult learning programs offer a unique chance to engage with the world of art in meaningful and enriching ways.

Petrina Hicks Peaches and velvet 2018 from the Still Life Studio series 2018 pigment inkjet print, 120.0 x 120.0 cm (image) ed. 1/4
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne Purchased, Victorian Foundation for Living Australian Artists, 2018
© Petrina Hicks. Courtesy of Michael Reid, Sydney; and This Is No Fantasy, Melbourne

LEARN MORE https://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/learn/adult-learning/