Secondary Education Programs

The Dax Centre education programs for school and university students aim to break down the stigma around mental health and lead to a greater understanding of how mental health impacts people’s lives and the role of art and creativity in leading a fulfilling and mentally healthy life.

By using art as the key to opening up conversations about mental health, The Dax Centre provides an opportunity for artists to share their stories inspiring visitors to expand their understanding of and to reduce stigma around mental health.

Supporting many curriculum areas and capabilities, all Education Programs offered at The Dax Centre provide a safe and supportive environment in which students can engage in discussion and activities promoting mental health and wellbeing through art.


Current Programs

Mindfields - VCE Psychology

Mindfields

Students gain a multidimensional perspective on artworks and mental health, encompassing the artistic, scientific and psychological. A biopsychosocial approach is taken when exploring the artworks and stories of the artists in our current exhibition.  

The Mindfields program includes:

  • a guided tour of our current exhibition with an overview of the history of The Dax Centre facilitated by an Education Officer
  • a presentation by a mental health Advocate of their personal lived experience with a mental health issue.
  • a guided creative mindfulness activity followed by discussion on creative self-care strategies
Recommended Year Level

Recommended Year Level: 11 – 12
Duration: 2 hours
Curriculum links include:

  • Psychology
  • Ethics
  • Scientific investigations


MINDFIELDS

Behind the Scenes (Art Making and Exhibiting)

Behind the Scenes

The Dax Centre offers an exclusive opportunity for students to go behind the scenes in an operational gallery. Students will view our current exhibition discussing the curatorial and design decisions as well as gaining access to curatorial working spaces and storage facilities housing the Cunningham Dax Collection. Students gain insight into the methods, roles and considerations involved in the preparation, presentation, conservation and maintenance of artworks for an exhibition and in the Collection. Specific legal and ethical considerations that are particular to the Cunningham Dax Collection will be discussed.

The Behind the Scenes program includes:

  • a guided tour of our current exhibition with an overview of the history of The Dax Centre facilitated by an Education Officer
  • access to the curatorial working spaces and storage facilities housing the Cunningham Dax Collection
Recommended Year Level

Year level: VCE Year 11 & 12
Duration: 2 hours

Curriculum links include:

  • Art Making and Exhibiting



Join Our Team

Self Guided Tours @ Dax

Self Guided Tours @ Dax 

Explore The Dax Centre at your own pace. View a range of artworks in our current exhibition to gain a broader understanding of mental health. The Dax Centre provides an opportunity to hear real life stories, raise awareness and reduce stigma around mental health issues. Please refer to the Current Exhibitions page for details about the current exhibition. Bookings are required for all self-guided groups.

Recommended Year Level

Year level: School Groups 5-12, General public and community groups also welcome
Duration: 1 hour

Curriculum links include:

  • Health & Human Development
  • Psychology
  • Art

Days: Wednesday, Thursday, Fridays
Times: During The Dax Centre Gallery opening hours, 11am-3.30pm 
Cost: Gold coin donations welcomed on arrival. Bookings appreciated for groups over five.  


Join Our Team

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THE DAX CENTRE

30 Royal Parade
Kenneth Myer Building
University of Melbourne
Parkville Vic 3010
+61 3 9349 2538 

OPENING HOURS

Wednesday to Friday
11.00am to 3.30pm

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National Standards for Mental Health Services - IHCA Certified

Part of the SANE Australia Group

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The Dax Centre acknowledges the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as traditional custodians of the land on which it operates. We pay respect to Elders past, present and emerging, and value the rich history, unbroken culture and ongoing connection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to country. The Dax Centre values diversity. We are committed to proving a safe, culturally appropriate, and inclusive service for all people, regardless of their ethnicity, faith, disability, sexuality, or gender identity.

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© The Dax Centre. All rights reserved.

SANE is a public company limited by guarantee and registered tax-exempt charity with DGR (Deductible Gift Recipient) status.

Charity ABN 92 006 533 606. Donations of $2 or more are tax deductible. SANE, PO Box 1226, Carlton VIC 3053.