Perspectives Alumni

In the twenty-five years that AGWA has hosted Year 12 Perspectives (1992–2017), we have recorded one-thousand-six-hundred and eighty students exhibiting their work, twelve receiving travel grants to Japan, ten received grants supporting their continuing practice, and many more having their work exhibited in Tokyo and in regional WA with the touring exhibition. 

From the inception of the exhibition in the early 1990s, the public showed immense support and enthusiasm for the work of graduating students and the popularity of the exhibition quickly grew. The selected works in Year 12 Perspectives have always been chosen on merit, creativity and individuality, not on the top marks of that year, and have presented an interesting mix of the finalists’ good technique, original ideas and creative interpretation.

From 1999 to 2011, Year 12 Perspectives’ Principal Sponsor was the International Foundation for Arts & Culture (IFAC). IFAC Australia is a non-profit organisation founded by Japanese businessman and philanthropist, Dr Haruhisa Handa, which promotes social welfare activities through arts and cultural investment.

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IFAC’s sponsorship focused on nurturing a broader understanding of the experiences that influence and impact our younger generation across cultures and support was directed at encouraging a conversation between young artists from around the world. Each year, for the duration of the sponsorship, up to fifteen Japanese students’ works were selected for inclusion in the AGWA exhibition. Reciprocally, at the end of Year 12 Perspectives, selected works by WA students were sent to Tokyo to exhibit at the annual International High School Arts Festival, which included student works from countries such as Egypt, Cambodia, China and other nations.

Year 12 Perspectives WA finalists were invited to apply for one of two grants intended to invest in their creative practice. The Dr Haruhisa Handa Travel Grant Winner, chosen by the quality of the application and a successful interview, travelled to Japan to enrich their artistic practice and be part of the international student exhibition. The IFAC Art Grant Winner was awarded funds for the purchase of equipment or training related to developing the candidate’s creative practice.

In addition to the annual support from the Department of Education, School Curriculum and Standards Authority and Catholic Education WA, from 1998 to 2007, Woodside Energy Ltd. was also a major sponsor of Year 12 Perspectives. Woodside’s support contributed to the Gallery’s education team delivery of the Visual Arts Education workshops to Year 11 and 12 visual arts students, and included a series of workshops to high schools in the Pilbara region.

As well as our sponsors and many gallery staff who worked on the exhibitions over the years, the alumni, their parents, teachers and friends have all contributed to the success that is twenty-five years of Year 12 Perspectives. To celebrate the creativity these students nurtured, and their schools and families supported, we bring you a selection of videos with alumni who have forged their careers in the creative arts. We hope that many more will fondly remember their experience of being exhibited at the AGWA and will share these memories with us during the exhibition.

Download the list of names of the Year 12 Perspectives Alumni

Alumni Videos

In 2017, Year 12 Perspectives celebrates 25 years. We caught up with some of the Alumni to see how they’ve stayed involved with the arts.

On Saturday 27 August, the Gallery is open 10am-3pm only as we prepare for the AGWA Foundation Gala supporting women in the arts. Some exhibition access will be disrupted with two Tracks We Share ground floor galleries closed. AGWA Rooftop bar will be closed, reopening at 2pm Sunday. Details