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Transformative Repair

Reimagining damage: Art for positive change

Uncertainty is inherent to being human. So how can arts-based methodologies help young people deal with the challenges of adolescence and foster greater self-agency and capacity for positive change?

From floods and fires, to loss and lockdowns, school communities have experienced many challenges over the last few years. This innovative Transformative Repair program has been exploring ways to transform our idea of damage – in the environment and our own lives.

Transformative Repair encourages school communities to use artistic practice to identify damage, both literal and figurative. What’s broken? What needs to be repaired? And how can we help each other to continue with optimism and resilience?

The program provides a range of flexible ready-to-use materials that can enrich existing programs or inform extended enquiry project work. The materials can be integrated into any learning area across multiple year levels.

The program is a collaboration between Independent Schools Victoria (ISV) and Project Zero at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

A pilot in practice

“I’ve got a newfound respect for broken objects and I always look at things and I always go, ‘How can I fix that?’”

— Pilot program participant, Ava

Transformative Repair: A pilot in practice

The Transformative Repair pilot program involved Carey Baptist Grammar School, Christian College Geelong and Youth 2 Industry College.

The pilot unfolded over three phases, giving schools the flexibility to shape the program to their needs and context:

  1. Explore – Look at notions of damage and repair by observing and reflecting on the physical environment and the work of artists who engage in transformative repair.
  2. Transform – Choose a damaged object or structure on which to focus and transform it positively through art. Throughout this process, learners invite and involve the history and perspectives of the broader community.
  3. Storify – Craft a compelling story of repair that will transform how damage is viewed by others.

Artist in profile

Transformative repair street artist, Tinky

Liz Sonntag – a.k.a Tinky – explores the idea of transformative repair and her role in ISV’s pilot program working with students from Carey Baptist Grammar School.

“For me, Transformative Repair means looking at objects that once had a purpose, that perhaps no longer have a purpose, but we can repurpose it into something completely different.”

— Transformative repair street artist, Tinky

More information

Anne Smith
Arts Learning Executive
Independent Schools Victoria
(03) 9825 7223
anne.smith@is.vic.edu.au