Council House, 27 St Georges Terrace Perth - 1 April to 16 May
Since the establishment of the Perth Technical School in 1900, generations of artists working across a range of mediums have been nurtured through the TAFE system. This exhibition, curated by the City of Perth in collaboration with North Metropolitan TAFE celebrated the 125th anniversary of this training in the creative industries.
Long before the Perth Technical School opened its doors in 1900, First Nations people were here, sharing knowledge, culture, and creative practices that continue to shape the artistic and cultural landscape of Western Australia. In 2025, North Metropolitan TAFE continues this proud tradition, standing as a creative hub for thousands of Western Australian artists, designers, and media producers. Each day, more than 2,000 students learn their craft under the guidance of industry experts in state-of-the-art facilities that mirror current practices in the creative industries.
The college's journey in formal creative education began in a galvanised iron structure on St Georges Terrace, where the first students enrolled on 16 May 1900 to learn ’mechanical drawing’ at the Perth Technical School. Over the decades, the range of creative skills training has expanded and now encompasses every aspect of art, design and media.
Throughout the years, the college has occupied several significant heritage sites across the CBD, including the James Street School (now the Perth Institute of Contemporary Art) and a steel annexe at St Brigid's Convent in Fitzgerald Street, before moving to its current premises on Aberdeen Street in the late 1980s.
In 2000, then known as Central Institute of Technology, the Institute celebrated its centenary with the establishment of a new building at 12 Aberdeen Street to house the WA School of Art and Design. By providing professional exposure to artists, designers, and craftspeople, the college has played a pivotal role in fostering a vibrant and dynamic arts community in Western Australia.
Many graduates have made outstanding contributions in fields such as arts, graphics, jewellery, fashion, photography, electronic media, film, animation, music and interior and industrial design.
As the oldest art, design and media school in Western Australia, North Metropolitan TAFE has consistently championed the importance of professional arts education. Individuals associated with the college have served on advisory boards, contributed to artists' societies, exhibitions, and magazines and advocated for the importance of culture in Western Australia. Their graduates have become administrators, artists, designers, and craftspeople, enriching the lives of those around them.
This exhibition honoured the success stories of artists and teachers who honed their skills through the TAFE system, showcasing their diverse contributions to the arts and their impact on the local, national, and international creative communities. By highlighting their work and journeys, it should inspire current and future students, educators, and the broader public about the transformative power of TAFE education.