All HEN members are welcome to log in to watch the following online incursions, provided free by the NGV.
These events are all open to all ages, & the recommended ages are listed below.
These programs will be delivered online via WebEx. Links to these events will be made available in the members only section of the HEN website.
Explore the work of contemporary artists who are tackling environmental challenges facing our planet. Artists have always looked to the natural world for inspiration. Today, many are responding to urgent issues like climate change, social justice, and technological shifts, using innovative approaches to artmaking to reveal hidden truths, spark conversations, and inspire action.
Look closely at how artists use line and shape to create pattern, structure, and movement in their work. We will discover the way different types of lines and shapes can express emotion and meaning and how these art elements are used in distinctive ways in works of art across diverse cultures and artistic styles. Come prepared with drawing paper and a graphite pencil to participate in creative activities during the session.
Description as per 5th May, but for a slightly more mature audience
How do designers make the everyday extraordinary? Meet Daniel To and Emma Aiston, the dynamic design duo behind Daniel Emma Studio as they present live from the NGV. After hearing about their inspiration and design process, Daniel and Emma will engage kids with some challenging and fun design activities which will use the students’ world as a starting point to unleash creativity, encourage collaboration and build design-centred thinking.
Discover how contemporary artists are reviving traditional crafts and long-standing techniques to create fresh, powerful works. These artists draw on materials and methods passed down through generations, but they use them in new ways that reflect today’s culture, identities, and ideas. Through discussion of works from the NGV Collection, we will explore how honoring the past in contemporary art practices can open new creative possibilities, provide new perspectives on history and give voice to diverse stories in the present.
Turn your attention to texture and discover how artists use this art element to add depth, interest, and complexity to their works of art. We will investigate ways texture can be created and experienced, both visually and through touch, and consider how it influences our interpretations and interactions with works of art. Come prepared with plain paper and a glue stick to participate in creative activities during the session.
Description as per 5th May, but for a slightly more mature audience
Join the multi-award-winning illustrator and writer Freya Blackwood for a fun-filled Book Week online event! Dive into the magic behind Freya’s captivating illustrations and find out what sparks her creativity. Discover how she brings her characters to life and tells enchanting stories using only pictures. Students can take part in engaging drawing activities that will unleash their own imagination! Don’t miss the chance to ask Freya your questions during the Q&A session at the end. Kids will:
– Learn about the ways writers and illustrators tell stories
– Engage in guided drawing activities
– Experiment with using pictures to tell a story
Celebrate Book Week 2026 with bestselling author Jacqueline Harvey and a new online writing workshop inspired by the NGV Collection. This fun and interactive session invites students to step into the world of mystery writing – learning how to build suspense, create intriguing characters and craft unexpected twists. Led by one of Australia’s most loved children’s authors, students will discover how artworks can spark imaginative story ideas and help bring their mysteries to life. Kids participating in this program will need:
– Three sheets of A4 paper
– Pencil/pen
We look at what happens when art is taken out of the gallery and is placed into the world around us. This session explores how artists are creating work in public spaces, collaborating with communities, and inviting participation in new and unexpected ways. These artists can often blur the line between viewer and artwork, and challenge the idea that art belongs only in galleries or museums. From installations to performances and interactive projects at NGV, we’ll think and talk about where art can happen, who it’s for, and how it can connect us in powerful and personal ways.
Explore how artists use these art elements and other techniques to create the illusion of three-dimensional space and volume in their work. We will also discover sculptural works of art that occupy real space and consider how their form influences the way we view and interact with them. Come prepared with drawing paper and coloured pencils to participate in creative activities during the session.
Description as per 20th October, but for a slightly more mature audience
