At the Riddoch Arts Cultural Centre, we embrace a culture of sharing and learning together. We believe in the power of arts education to enrich our lives, and this starts with early learning, through to our final years of school. With this ethos at our core, we happily invite school groups from Mount Gambier and the surrounding region to visit the Riddoch. With new exhibitions on display roughly every six to eight weeks, there is always something new to experience. To guide your school visit, the Riddoch offers three options for discovering our exhibitions.
SELF GUIDED
This tour starts with a brief introduction by a Riddoch staff member, and then students explore the exhibitions in their own time. Teachers are encouraged to ask students interpretive questions as they move through the exhibitions. Entirely self-directed, groups can spend as little, or as long as they like in the exhibition space. Free, up to 30 students.
GUIDED
This guided tour is broken into two 30-minute sessions. In the first half, students will be guided through the current exhibitions by a curator, or educator, where different themes and viewpoints will be explored. In the second half of the tour, students will embark on their own interpretations by selecting an artwork for deeper interrogation. Students are encouraged to write their own label, which is then shared with the class. Free, up to 25 students.
LOOK & MAKE
Students will spend time on a tour of the current exhibitions, learning, sharing and absorbing key viewpoints. After about thirty minutes, students will move on to a making activity. Drawing inspiration from the exhibitions, and using safe and accessible materials, students will be able to apply key learnings from their tour to create their own artwork to take home. $5 -$10 per student depending on age and craft, up to 25 students.
HELPFUL HINTS
We like to plan as much as you do! Please give us four weeks’ notice if you’re a planning a trip to the Riddoch. It’s best to contact Riddoch Reception on Riddoch@mountgambier.sa.gov.au, or 08 8721 2563, or complete the contact form below.
If you’re coming by car, or bus, we recommend parking in the Sturt Street Carpark. Where possible, it’s ideal if students can leave their bags on the transport, as the Riddoch does not have secure storage for bags.
Food and drink are not great for artworks, so we ask these items also stay on the bus. Instead, nearby Cave Gardens / Thugi is a gorgeous spot for recess, or lunch.
EXHIBITION PREVIEW EVENINGS FOR TEACHERS
Teachers! Over a tipple and some nibbles, come together and learn about our latest exhibitions with a guided tour by our Manager, or Curator. Preview evenings will be held on Wednesdays, are free, but bookings will be required. Sign up to our Newsletter to receive updates on these preview evenings and information on how to book in.
