Keep up to date with all of the latest digital learning releases from The Arts Unit

Connections Program

2022 Connections Program Digital Showcase theme is ‘Ours To Share’.

Applications for the 2022 Connections Program Showcase open on 3 December 2021 and close on 17 August 2022.

Register your interest

The outstanding works for the Connections Showcase 2021 are out now!

The Connections Program - Promo
Duration: 
0:50
Video transcript -
The Connections Program - Promo

About the Connections Program

The Connections Program offers an exciting suite of arts opportunities and digital resources for students with disability and their teachers.

Throughout the year we will be providing professional learning for teachers as well as performance and showcase opportunities for schools, classes and individual students. These experiences will support and develop teachers and students ranging from the experienced and inexperienced in the areas of music, dance, visual arts and drama.

Throughout the program we will be partnering with the Art Gallery of NSW and other leading arts organisations and education specialists to provide inclusive teaching and learning experiences in the arts.

If you would like to find out more about the Connections Program, register your interest on The Arts Unit Website.

We hope to see you play a part in this exciting inclusive arts initiative.

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Contacts

Program Coordinators

Catherine Gilholme
Arts Initiatives and Events Officer
catherine.gilholme@det.nsw.edu.au

Sonja Sjolander
Arts Initiatives Advisor
sonja.benson@det.nsw.edu.au

Marianne Powles
Arts Planning and Strategy Coordinator
marianne.powles@det.nsw.edu.au

Heidi Windeisen
Connections Program Visual Arts Coordinator
heidi.windeisen@det.nsw.edu.au

Shining Stars Organiser

Michelle Davies
Principal, Chalmers Road Public School
michelle.m.davies@det.nsw.edu.au

Art Gallery of NSW

Danielle Gullotta
Senior Access Programs Producer
danielle.gullotta @ag.nsw.gov.au

Register your interest

What’s new

Creative Teachers

Creative Teachers resources provide online, practical professional learning incorporating video, text, support documents and links to help you deliver high-quality arts experiences for students. Learn from scratch or improve your skills in the artistic, technical and practical aspects of running ensembles, staging and capturing performances and help students to participate in the arts. These resources are like having an experienced mentor teacher available whenever you need one!

Creative Teachers

Visual Arts

The Art Gallery of NSW has put together a fantastic Art Set of works to inspire student responses for the theme ‘Found Objects’.

The Art Gallery will supply an Art Set around the 2022 theme for you and your students to view and respond creatively.

We thank the Art Gallery of NSW for their ongoing support for this program.

AGNSW Art Set

Drama

Looking for drama resources to create an inclusive classroom?

'Drama for inclusivity' is a digital resource that is a must see for any teacher looking to create a truly inclusive classroom. These simple and beneficial strategies look at ways to enhance learning for all students and build a safer environment for inclusivity.

Drama for inclusivity

Inclusive Creative Arts digital teaching resources

Are you looking for some fun and accessible creative arts lessons for students with a range of disability in your classroom? Well look no further, we have you covered. The following Art Bites and Creative Classes developed by The Arts Unit are perfect for teachers and carers to give wonderful creative learning opportunities for students from all age ranges and abilities. We are adding to these resources all the time so save this link and watch this space.

We would love to see any student work produced, filmed or photographed, and you can send it through to artsinitiatives@det.nsw.edu.au with your name, your student’s name and school.

Art BitesCreative Classes

If you have any suggestions for other classes or topics to be developed you can also drop us a line at artsinitiatives@det.nsw.edu.au.

Art Bites

Drama games K-2 – movement and mime

Drama games K-2 – movement and mime

Drama games K-2 – movement and mime

Kindergarten to year 2 drama
Presented by 
Charlotte Connor

Join Charlotte Connor to have fun with these drama games! The purpose of these games is to focus on mime and gestures, using both imagination and body language to create characters and action.

Duration: 
15:53
Video transcript – 
Drama games K-2 – Movement and mime
418236677

Disclaimer

Viewers are advised that the content, views and opinions expresses in the following presentation are those of the authors and do not represent the views and policies of the NSW Department of Education. Viewer discretion is advised. If you are a student and you are viewing this, you have sought prior approval from your parent/caregiver to do so.
X
View safety tips for online movement classes
3
available
upcoming
latest
primary;drama;disability
Drama games K-2 – movement and mime

Making mini paper puppets

Making mini paper puppets

Making mini paper puppets

Primary and lower secondary drama
Presented by 
Genevieve De Souza

How to make a mini paper puppet and 'breathe' life into it by adding movement.

Duration: 
14:57
Video transcript – 
Making mini paper puppets
412946208

Disclaimer

Viewers are advised that the content, views and opinions expresses in the following presentation are those of the authors and do not represent the views and policies of the NSW Department of Education. Viewer discretion is advised. If you are a student and you are viewing this, you have sought prior approval from your parent/caregiver to do so.
X
View safety tips for online movement classes
1
available
upcoming
latest
primary;secondary;drama;disability
Making mini paper puppets

Operation Art – 1. Junkyard robots

Operation Art

1

Junkyard robots

1

Junkyard robots

Lower primary visual arts
Presented by 
Heidi Windeisen

Join Heidi Windeisen as she guides you through the process of making your very own junkyard robot!

Duration: 
7:17
Video transcript – 
Operation Art - 1. Junkyard robots
413031054

Disclaimer

Viewers are advised that the content, views and opinions expresses in the following presentation are those of the authors and do not represent the views and policies of the NSW Department of Education. Viewer discretion is advised. If you are a student and you are viewing this, you have sought prior approval from your parent/caregiver to do so.
X
View safety tips for online movement classes
1
available
upcoming
latest
primary;visual arts;disability
Operation Art – 1. Junkyard robots

Operation Art – 2. The King Sun

Operation Art

2

The King Sun

2

The King Sun

Lower primary visual arts
Presented by 
Heidi Windeisen

This is a mixed media artwork for lower primary based on John Olsen’s artwork titled The King Sun. Children will create their own King Sun using food colouring, acrylic paint and oil pastels or crayons.

Duration: 
6:50
Video transcript – 
Operation Art – 2. The king sun
415482829

Disclaimer

Viewers are advised that the content, views and opinions expresses in the following presentation are those of the authors and do not represent the views and policies of the NSW Department of Education. Viewer discretion is advised. If you are a student and you are viewing this, you have sought prior approval from your parent/caregiver to do so.
X
View safety tips for online movement classes
3
available
upcoming
latest
primary;visual arts;disability
Operation Art – 2. The King Sun

Operation Art – 3. Rainbow leaves

Operation Art

3

Rainbow leaves

3

Rainbow leaves

Mid to upper primary visual arts
Presented by 
Heidi Windeisen

Students will learn about tint and shade scales, mixing paint to create an interesting artwork with leaves they have collected.

Duration: 
11:46
Video transcript – 
Operation Art – Rainbow leaves
418245969

Disclaimer

Viewers are advised that the content, views and opinions expresses in the following presentation are those of the authors and do not represent the views and policies of the NSW Department of Education. Viewer discretion is advised. If you are a student and you are viewing this, you have sought prior approval from your parent/caregiver to do so.
X
View safety tips for online movement classes
4
available
upcoming
latest
primary;visual arts;disability
Operation Art – 3. Rainbow leaves

Operation Art – 4. From the inside out

Operation Art

4

From the inside out

4

From the inside out

Upper primary and lower secondary visual arts
Presented by 
Heidi Windeisen

Never before have we spent so much time inside our homes staring out! A great way to document all of your recent experiences and feelings is through painting! So grab your paintbrush, and let's take a look outside your window!

Duration: 
14:32
Video transcript – 
Operation Art – 04. From the inside out
425761779

Disclaimer

Viewers are advised that the content, views and opinions expresses in the following presentation are those of the authors and do not represent the views and policies of the NSW Department of Education. Viewer discretion is advised. If you are a student and you are viewing this, you have sought prior approval from your parent/caregiver to do so.
X
View safety tips for online movement classes
6
available
upcoming
latest
primary;visual arts;secondary;disability
Operation Art – 4. From the inside out

Portrait painting - 1. Start with a sketch

Portrait painting

1

Start with a sketch

1

Start with a sketch

Years 4 to 8, Years 7 to 12 life skills
Presented by 
Neil Tomkins and Digby Webster

Digby and Neil explore how they start their portrait paintings by sketching.

Duration: 
15:11
Video transcript – 
Art Bites - Portrait painting with Neil Tomkins and Digby Webster - 01. Start with a sketch
525271272

Disclaimer

Viewers are advised that the content, views and opinions expresses in the following presentation are those of the authors and do not represent the views and policies of the NSW Department of Education. Viewer discretion is advised. If you are a student and you are viewing this, you have sought prior approval from your parent/caregiver to do so.
X
View safety tips for online movement classes
available
upcoming
latest
visual-arts;primary;secondary;disability;life-skills
Portrait painting - 1. Start with a sketch

Portrait painting - 2. Making the painting

Portrait painting

2

Making the painting

2

Making the painting

Years 4 to 8, Years 7 to 12 life skills
Presented by 
Neil Tomkins and Digby Webster

Digby and Neil continue their portraits by turning their sketches into paintings.

Duration: 
17:50
Video transcript – 
Art Bites - Portrait painting with Neil Tomkins and Digby Webster - 02. Making the painting
525277788

Disclaimer

Viewers are advised that the content, views and opinions expresses in the following presentation are those of the authors and do not represent the views and policies of the NSW Department of Education. Viewer discretion is advised. If you are a student and you are viewing this, you have sought prior approval from your parent/caregiver to do so.
X
View safety tips for online movement classes
available
upcoming
latest
visual-arts;primary;secondary;disability;life-skills
Portrait painting - 2. Making the painting

 Creative Classes

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Disco dancing

Kindergarten to Year 6 dance
Creating dance with a disco-inspired theme
Select class
years 1 and 2;kindergarten;years 3 and 4;years 5 and 6;dance;disability
00 dance

Dinosaur dig

Kindergarten to Year 2 dance, music and visual arts
Explore the world of dinosaurs through creative arts
Select class
kindergarten;years 1 and 2;dance;music;visual arts;disability;music-composing-and-arranging;music-voice
00 dance music visual

Let's sign – I See Stars

Kindergarten to Year 8 music
Exploring Auslan (Australian Sign Language) through the song 'I See Stars'
Select class
kindergarten;years 1 and 2;years 3 and 4;years 5 and 6;years 7 and 8;music;disability;music-voice;auslan
00 music

Colourful melodies

Years 1 to 6 music
Making and organising sounds to compose a simple musical composition
Select class
years 1 and 2;years 3 and 4;years 5 and 6;music;music-composing-and-arranging;music-percussion
01 music

Colour my world

Years 1 to 6 visual arts
Explore colour theory and create a colour wheel
Select class
years 1 and 2;years 3 and 4;years 5 and 6;visual arts;disability
01 visual
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Videos

Mark Morris Dance Group – Disability Dance Workshop

Duration: 
32:16
Video transcript –
Mark Morris Dance Group – Disability Dance Workshop

Approaches for dance students with intellectual disabilities

Duration: 
32:16
Video transcript –
Approaches for dance students with intellectual disabilities
154664261

Find out more about The Arts Unit Digital Engagement

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