Creative Regions: Collaborations and partnerships outside the institutional walls

Dr Neil Fettling
2015 Conference

In a competitive higher education environment with increasing pressure on economic resources, university art schools have to adapt and innovate to connect with both local and global audiences. This can be achieved by value-adding the traditional studio or tutorial room based student experience. This paper describes how the La Trobe Art Institute (LAI) at La Trobe University is adapting its curriculum to deliver programs in collaboration with external partners and organisations. Many of these programs are delivered across blended delivery platforms particularly in block mode during semester breaks and summer/winter periods. They all build on a commitment to the transactional and experiential engagement models where cross and inter-disciplinary curriculum is delivered in geo-cultural locations across regional and metropolitan sites. The sites are generally defined by the universities regional footprint. The development of partnerships with major public arts organisations.

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About the author

Neil Fettling is the inaugural Director of the La Trobe Art Institute at La Trobe University. Neil has recently completed a PhD at Monash University, and has a Master of Arts by Research from Royal Melbourne Institute of technology. Previously, he completed a Diploma of Fine Art at Bendigo Institute of technology and a certificate of Fine Art and language at the Paris American Academy in France. His current work and research involves the history and sociology of North West Victorian Mallee dry land farmers and their determination to tame a vast semi desert land.  This is traced through the collection and re-interpretation of the relics left behind on their farming properties.