The Art Engager Co-Designing a Pedagogical Approach at the National Gallery of Australia
In this episode Claire Bown is joined by Georgia Close and Harriet Body from the National Gallery of Australia, alongside Naomi Zouwer from the University of Canberra, to explore how the gallery co-designed its Creative Learning approach.
The conversation traces an 18-month process of articulating a shared pedagogical framework shaped by national context, cultural responsibility, and First Nations-led principles. Rather than adopting an existing model, the team worked through workshops, observation, interviews and iterative “campaigns” to develop a cohesive, values-led approach.
A key commitment was centring the artist’s voice, placing artist intention in conversation with students’ existing knowledge. From this, the team developed a Creative Learning strategy planning tool that supports inquiry-led, multimodal, embodied and reflective practice.
Across the episode, they explore:
- How to develop a context-specific learning approach rather than importing a model
- What it means in practice to centre the artist’s voice
- How small, iterative “campaigns” can embed reflective practice in a team
- How multimodality and embodiment deepen engagement beyond discussion
- Why joy is understood as a serious pedagogical commitment
- What co-design and participatory action research look like inside a museum setting
This episode will resonate with anyone working in museums, galleries or cultural institutions who is thinking carefully about pedagogy, reflective practice, and how to articulate an approach that genuinely reflects their context and values.
The Art Engager is written and presented by Claire Bown. Editing is by Matt Jacobs and Claire Bown. Music by Richard Bown. Support on Patreon
Episode Links:
https://nga.gov.au/learn/our-creative-learning-approach/
The Creative Learning Project Digital Publication: https://nga.gov.au/media/dd/documents/NGA_The_Creative_Learning_Project_Digital_Publication.pdf
Zouwer, N. & Hamilton, O. (2026). The Creative Learning Project: Defining the National Gallery of Australia’s Creative Learning Approach. 10.13140/RG.2.2.35063.28324
Zouwer, N., Hamilton, O., Menser Hearn, N., & Ali, I. (2026). Using Practice-Based Methods to Co-create, Define, and Articulate a New Approach to Art Education in the National Gallery of Australia. Australian Journal of Education, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/00049441261421257
Georgia Close, Head of Learning, National Gallery of Australia
Harriet Body, Creative Learning Convenor, National Gallery of Australia
Naomi Zouwer, artist, teacher, and researcher. Lecturer of Creative Arts Teacher Education and a researcher in the Centre of Advanced Education Studies (CASE) in the Faculty of Education at the University of Canberra.
Naomi’s website https://www.zouwer.com/
The Centre for Advanced Studies in Education (CASE)
https://www.canberra.edu.au/research/centres/case
Show Links:
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