Board Member - Dr. Merinda Kelly

Senior Lecturer | Deakin University

Merinda Kelly has enjoyed a career defined by intersecting roles as an artist, creative industry producer, visual arts educator (K–12 and tertiary), and gallery/museum learning and engagement professional. Having always lived regionally on Wadawurrung Country, she is dedicated to making the arts, culture, and art education accessible to all children, youth, their kin, and communities as a matter of social justice.

Merinda holds a BA in Visual Arts, a BEd in Art Education, a Master of Arts and Social Education, and a Creative Practice Doctorate. She works as a senior lecturer and researcher in art, media, and visual communication design education (K–12) at Deakin University. Before returning to academia, she was head of a senior secondary art, technology, and design campus and director of the art, technology, and design faculty K–12 across five campuses, leading a team of more than twenty teachers.

She taught VCE Studio Arts for many years, serving as a VCAA assessor, study design panel member, and examination setter. Merinda highly values what she learned through her engagement with Art Education Victoria as a teacher and hopes to support others in continuing to generate quality art experiences in institutions and the broader public realm. She believes that young people need the arts more than ever and is committed to co-producing new spaces where their creative ideas, meanings, and imaginations can be elevated, illuminated, and celebrated.