Our new President of the Arts Auxiliary, Franca Lepre, is passionate about the arts and says her main goal in taking on the role of President, is to share that passion with our Grammarians. Franca explains she simply wants "to share what I see and hear every day and expose our Grammarians to something that may move them in some way. I want to encourage them to use their relationship to and appreciation of the Arts to think deeply, to be curious. I then asked myself, how can I do this in this role of President? Exposure was the answer."  

After careful consideration and observation, the Auxiliary has committed to talking to our students and sharing information that we curate with all the sources available to us. "I would personally like to see our community members (mothers, fathers, grandparents, friends, staff, Old Grammarians, et cetera) who are engaged in the Arts – artists, musicians, actors, photographers, architects, theatre makers – to help us in that mission. We need to demonstrate through our experiences, how we got where we are today and illuminate the pathways available to our Grammarians." Franca says.

One idea that is in concept stage for 2024, is a series of ‘artists talks’. We look forward to telling you more about this and inviting our Grammarians and parents along next year.  

Fundamentally, the Arts Auxiliary aims to facilitate important academic extension activities across all areas of the Arts: music, drama and the visual arts, that can support the School curriculum. In addition to Artists Talk, the Auxiliary hopes to host film nights and facilitate discussions on various themes, such as the history of cinema and how it has been portrayed throughout the twentieth century. "I would love to encourage our students and families to take advantage of the wonderful galleries and exhibitions close by, like the National Gallery of Victoria (European and Ian Potter), and local commercial galleries such as Anna Schwartz, Tolarno, Station, Flinders Lane Gallery, and Craft Victoria to name a few. Gallery visits boost exposure to the fine art of Australia and from around the globe." Says Franca.

In the MGGS community, there are many practicing artists and members of the creative industry. In the Year 6 parent cohort alone, we have three parents actively involved in art practice and education. "I hope there are other parents who would be happy to share their skills and knowledge with us all; it is about opening this circle of artists up for the benefit of our Grammarians and providing them the opportunity to learn about art practice, the generation of ideas, and the preparation for exhibitions where the curatorial component of artmaking comes into play firsthand," Franca explains.

Franca believes that helping to create strong and long-lasting connections with the artists in our community, the Arts Auxiliary, under her lead, will have served its purpose.

"We hope to encourage links between Grammarians of different ages, departments and backgrounds through practice and appreciation for the Arts. The School, its community and future will be richer for it," she said.

This collaboration, the coming together of people, ideas and resources for the benefit of our School is something the Arts Auxiliary is enthusiastically looking to develop further in the years to come. We hope you will support us.