Creative Regions: Collaborations and partnerships outside the institutional walls

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.