Museums Victoria announces Creative Futures design education initiative
Museums Victoria today announced that they have accepted a $1 million trust from Creative Futures Ltd which will focus on design education professional learning programs and other related opportunities.
Using this gift, Museums Victoria has launched the first Creative Futures Annual Design Education Camp, which will be offered free to secondary teachers and aims to enrich teacher practice by interaction and immersion with design professionals, educators, and leading teachers.
The gift recognises Museums Victoria’s longstanding commitment to design education within the secondary education sector – the VCE Season of Excellence Top Designs exhibition has been presented at Melbourne Museum for more than 20 years - and will support programs and professional learning initiatives for secondary school teachers.
With a unique focus on the Australian Design & Technologies Curriculum, the program provides opportunities for teachers to develop or further develop their skills, knowledge and confidence regarding contemporary Design Thinking practices.
This generous gift was made by the Founder and Chair of Creative Futures Foundation, Mr Robert Treseder.
Lynley Crosswell, CEO & Director, Museums Victoria said: ‘We are deeply grateful to Robert Treseder and the Creative Futures Foundation for this remarkable investment in the future of design in Victoria. This exceptional gift will support teachers and educators to develop the deep vein of design talent and skills that exists in Victoria’s secondary school students.’
Robert Treseder, Founder and Chair of Creative Futures Ltd said: ‘As part of its mission, Creative Futures decided to focus its support on design education institutions and organisations. It distributed major gifts in December 2020 to Museums Victoria to develop programs and exhibitions for design students and teachers. Other gifts were distributed to the University of Melbourne, Melbourne School of Design, Geelong Art Gallery and Design and Technology Teachers Association (DATTA) Victoria.'
Minister for Creative Industries, Danny Pearson, said: 'Design is a vital 21st-century capability, one that drives innovation, tackles challenges and can help shape a better world. By investing in design education and skilling up Victorian teachers, this generous gift from Robert Treseder and the Creative Futures Foundation will boost design learning opportunities for Victorian students.'
Discover more about the Creative Futures Education Program.
About Creative Futures Ltd
Creative Futures Ltd was established with the following principal objects and purposes:
- To support the advancement of design education and culture.
- To promote the integration of design and innovation within and for the benefit of the broader community.
- To foster a supportive environment and culture for future creative thinkers.
The latest Top Designs exhibition opens at Melbourne Museum on Saturday 17 April and showcases a selection of works from Victoria’s brightest VCE and VCE VET design students from the cohort of 2020.
