Female education is set to receive a creative boost after the Warrnambool Art Gallery secured $50,000 for a new program.
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The Girls are Full STEAM Ahead will see gallery staff, young people and digital educators work together to increase the number of females employed in science, engineering, technology and maths careers.
The funding is courtesy of Creative Victoria’s Engaging Audiences program supporting council-owned galleries and performing arts centres.
Warrnambool Art Gallery director Vanessa Gerrans said the funds were timely.
“The program coincides with WAG's current exhibition Once Women Won the Vote, which celebrates the contribution of women to society, and the upcoming Code Breakers: Women in Games exhibition created by ACMI, which showcases the achievements of women in the games industry.”
Ms Gerrans said the program would offer a variety of activities, sessions and workshops through new and existing partnerships.
Participants will learn skills in digital and 3D printed jewellery design, coding, animation, game development, film visual effects and entrepreneurship.
“There will also be a large outdoor screen which will showcase a range of creative outputs and digital inspirations,” she said.
“The aim is that these workshops will engage female students in STEAM subjects in an exciting and innovative way leading them to feel more confident in their abilities and excited to excel in these subjects.”
Ms Gerrans said statistics supported the need for such programs.
“In 2016 only three percent of applicants for university science, engineering, technology and maths subjects were women, whereas 75 percent of future jobs will require these skills.”