Secondary

The Dax Centre supports many curriculum areas and capabilities catered for highschool students

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

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

Programs include a presentation from Advocates/Peer Ambassadors with lived experience of mental health issues

Current Secondary Programs


Mindfields - VCE

Program Outline

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 exhibitions with an overview of the history of The Dax Centre facilitated by an Education Officer (1 hour)
  • a presentation by a mental health Advocate of their personal lived experience with a mental health issue (45 min)
  • a guided creative mindfulness activity followed by discussion on creative self-care strategies (15 min)
Recommended Year Level

Recommended Year Level: 10 – 12
Duration: 2 hours
Curriculum links include:

  • Psychology
  • Ethics
  • Scientific investigations
  • Mental wellbeing
  • Art therapy


MINDFIELDS

Behind the Scenes: Curation & Conservation

Program Outline

The Dax Centre offers an exclusive opportunity for students to go behind the scenes in an operational gallery, inviting students to consider different pathways in the arts. 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.

The Behind the Scenes program includes:

  • A guided tour of our current exhibition with an overview of the history of The Dax Centre (1 hour)
  • Access to the curatorial working spaces and storage facilities housing the Cunningham Dax Collection (45 min)
  • A guided conservation activity which explores the agents of deterioration and condition reporting (15 min)

We pose questions like: 

  • What is the purpose and value of the collection within the contemporary arts landscape and the community? 
  • What curatorial considerations do we need to make when working with artists with lived experience of mental illness? 
  • How do we decide whether an artwork is in good enough condition to exhibit to the public? 
      Recommended Year Level

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

      Curriculum links include:

      • Art Making
      • Conservation
      • Curatorial intention
      • Collection management 



      Join Our Team

      Self Guided Tours

      Self Guided Tours

      Attending the Dax with a large group? Explore The Dax Centre at your own pace. View a range of artworks within our current exhibitions 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 more information regarding the current artworks on display. Bookings are required for all self-guided groups

      Recommended Year Level

      Year level: School Groups Year 5-12, general public and community groups 
      Duration: 1 hour
      When: During The Dax Centre Gallery opening hours, 11am-3.30pm Wednesday to Friday
      Cost: Gold coin donations welcomed upon arrival


      Self guided tours

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      THE DAX CENTRE

      30 Royal Parade
      Kenneth Myer Building
      Parkville Vic 3010

      This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
      +61 3 9349 2538 

      OPENING HOURS

      Wednesday to Friday
      11.00am to 3.30pm

      Other times by appointment

      Follow Us —
      National Standards for Mental Health Services - IHCA Certified

      Part of the SANE Australia Group

      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.