Melbourne Street Art

Overview

This 7-lesson unit introduces Year 8-10 students with autism at an independent school to Melbourne street art, linking it to their home groups: Budj Bim, Naarm, Birrarung, and Ballarat. Students explore street art techniques (excluding spray paint) and collaborate on a final group artwork. The unit aligns with the Victorian Curriculum: Visual Arts Levels 7-10, focusing on:

• Exploring artistic techniques and materials (VCAVAE041)
• Planning and making artworks inspired by others (VCAVAV043)
• Describing and interpreting artworks from different cultures, times, and places (VCAVAR045)

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Lesson 1: Introduction to Melbourne Street Art

Duration: 60 minutes

PowerPoint Idea: A visual journey through Melbourne’s laneways

Learning Objectives:

• Define street art and discuss its purpose
• Analyse how artists use materials, techniques, and meaning in street art
• Explore iconic street artworks and their locations in Melbourne

Materials:

• Printed photographs of Melbourne street art
• Smartboard/projector for PowerPoint
• Discussion prompt cards

Lesson Structure:

1. Hook (10 min) – Display images of iconic Melbourne street art, including Hosier Lane and AC/DC Lane. Discuss: What do you notice? How do you think this was made?
2. Discussion (15 min) – Explore how artists convey messages through street art, linking it to identity and place.
3. Analysis Activity (20 min) – Provide small groups with images of Melbourne street art. Ask:
   • What is the message behind this piece?
   • What techniques were used?
   • How does this artwork connect to Melbourne?
4. Reflection (15 min) – Students share findings and consider how they might create their own home group artwork.

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Lesson 2: Exploring Alternative Street Art Techniques

Duration: 60 minutes

PowerPoint Idea: Alternative techniques in street art (stencils, paste-ups, markers)

Learning Objectives:

• Identify alternatives to spray paint (e.g., paint markers, stencils, paste-ups)
• Analyse how different materials affect artistic expression
• Experiment with stencil techniques

Materials:

• Cardboard sheets
• Craft knives (carefully supervised use)
• Sponges and acrylic paint
• Tape

Lesson Structure:

1. Hook (5 min) – Show PowerPoint slides on spray-free street art techniques.
2. Demonstration (10 min) – Live demo of stencil-making using cut-outs and sponges.
3. Activity (35 min) – Students design & cut simple stencils related to their home group names (Budj Bim, Naarm, etc.), then practice applying them to butcher’s paper.
4. Reflection (10 min) – Discuss how stencil art differs from spray paint and how meaning is created.

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Lesson 3: Storytelling Through Symbols

Duration: 60 minutes

PowerPoint Idea: Aboriginal and local history in Melbourne’s street art

Learning Objectives:

• Recognise the use of symbolism in street art
• Explore Indigenous perspectives in Melbourne’s public art
• Develop personal symbols to represent their home groups

Materials:

• Large sheets of paper
• Paint markers
• Printed Aboriginal and contemporary street art examples

Lesson Structure:

1. Hook (10 min) – Show Indigenous artworks with symbolic imagery. Discuss: How do symbols tell a story?
2. Discussion (10 min) – Students reflect on their home group names and places (Budj Bim, Naarm, etc.). What symbols represent these places?
3. Drawing Activity (30 min) – Students create individual symbols representing their home groups using markers on large paper.
4. Sharing (10 min) – Present artworks in small groups and explain the symbols.

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Lesson 4: Collaborative Paste-Up Designs

Duration: 60 minutes

PowerPoint Idea: Community-based collaborative street art

Learning Objectives:

• Experiment with paste-up art as an alternative to spray painting
• Work collaboratively to plan a larger artwork
• Develop layers in composition with different materials

Materials:

• Tissue paper, newsprint
• Black ink pens, paint markers
• Wheatpaste (flour + water mixture)
• Printed images for inspiration

Lesson Structure:

1. Hook (5 min) – Display large-scale street murals made with paste-ups. How does layering create depth?
2. Design Phase (15 min) – Students sketch small designs based on their home group themes.
3. Paste-Up Creation (30 min) – Students draw final designs on tissue paper or recycled posters before affixing them to large board panels.
4. Class Discussion (10 min) – Compare student work with examples of Melbourne paste-ups. How did it feel to layer their designs?

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Lesson 5: Mural Composition & Meaning

Duration: 60 minutes

PowerPoint Idea: Large-scale public art planning

Learning Objectives:

• Understand composition in large-scale murals
• Plan a group mural using learned techniques
• Assign roles in a collaborative project

Materials:

• Butcher’s paper
• Markers, collage paper
• Scissors, glue

Lesson Structure:

1. Hook (10 min) – Show PowerPoint examples of collaborative murals. Discuss: How do artists work together to make one cohesive piece?
2. Composition Planning (20 min) – Students sketch layouts blending stencil art, paste-ups, and symbols.
3. Group Discussion (15 min) – Assign sections to each team member and plan material choices.
4. Exit Reflection (15 min) – How do collaborations bring different ideas together?

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Lesson 6: Creating the Group Artwork

Duration: 60 minutes

PowerPoint Idea: Progress photos of collaborative murals

Learning Objectives:

• Apply experimental techniques to a final physical artwork
• Balance individual and group artistic contributions
• Reflect on creative processes in a team project

Materials:

• Large wooden board or canvas
• Paint markers, acrylic paint
• Stencil sheets created in Lesson 2
• Wheatpaste and tissue paper

Lesson Structure:

1. Setup (10 min) – Each student reviews their role in the composition.
2. Execution (40 min) – Students combine stencils, paste-ups, and paint markers to form a layered mural.
3. Clean-Up & Reflection (10 min) – How did their home group’s identity emerge in the final piece?

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Lesson 7: Presenting & Reflecting

Duration: 60 minutes

PowerPoint Idea: Before & after photos of their work

Learning Objectives:

• Evaluate their artistic process and outcomes
• Discuss how public art influences communities
• Present artwork to classmates with artist statements

Materials:

• Artist statement templates
• Presentation rubric
• Camera for documentation

Lesson Structure:

1. Hook (5 min) – Show a time-lapse video of a large mural being created.
2. Final Touch-Ups & Review (20 min) – Students refine details in their artwork.
3. Gallery Walk (20 min) – Classmates walk around, observing and discussing all home group murals.
4. Reflection (15 min) – Each group presents their mural, describing its meaning and influences.

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Final Notes

This unit encourages deep exploration of Melbourne's street art through hands-on, collaborative projects. The alternative materials maintain accessibility while still capturing the spirit of street art. By linking to Victorian Curriculum standards and focusing on the students’ home groups, the project personalises the learning experience, making it meaningful and engaging.