Artlab is piloting this innovative way of involving communities and schools in preserving our heritage. Check out this entry! Port Elliott Primary School Here's an example to help with your entry! To participate, please fill in the form and make any additional enquiries to: Artlab

Already registered people can log on here.

Treasure a local treasure........

Artlab Australia are offering school and local communities the opportunity to be involved in the exciting new on-line heritage and conservation program Adopt a Monument. No matter where you are in South Australia, you can log on to this multimedia program, download an electronic registration form and start participating in saving, restoring or just identifying an item of significance to your school and/or community and one that should be treasured by future generations. It could be a statue, a building, plaque, mural, painting, flag, costume, headstone, piece of machinery or playground equipment. It doesn't have to be an internationally recognised icon, such as Uluru, Kakadu, the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree rainforest. There are many unsung sites, buildings, monuments and "treasures" that reflect our unique Australian heritage.

The main thing is that it is important to you, your team, your school community and that it should be conserved for future generations to use, appreciate, learn from or simply "treasure"........!!

Objectives of the Program

As you become involved in the program, making your assessment of your “treasured” item , posting data about its location, condition, uploading still or moving images to send to us at Artlab, you will discover that as a conservator, elements of art, science and technology all come together in a unique way.

Science and history don't have to be boring! Get out of the lab and out into the community and have fun! While you are having fun, help save our cultural heritage for yourself and future generations. If we don't do it, who else will!

What can be adopted?

A school group can choose to adopt any "man made item" or work of art, sculpture, memorial, piece of agricultural equipment or machinery, mural, statue, flag, headstone, plaque, vehicle, playground etc. or any item important to their school or local community that needs to be saved, preserved and treasured.

How will it work?

• Using our online adoption form, students will research and collate information on the monument, including its history, artist, manufacturer, location and current condition. For more information on assessing your monument and formulating some goals for its protection and preservation go to:www.ahc.gov.au/infores/publications/localheritage/ahc-2.html
• Students will submit their description and pictures, still or video, to the live website via email or the web. Students are also encouraged to hypothesise what might be required to preserve the monument. Their information and ideas will be evaluated by Artlab conservators and their contributions will be published on the site.
• Other adopt a monument programs from around South Australia will be documented and featured on the website so there will be an opportunity to exchange ideas and share experiences and images.
• The program will be offered online, and students will have an opportunity to use the latest in Microsoft multimedia technologies, view their contributions on a live website as well as engage directly with staff from Artlab.

When will the program be run?

The program will be run throughout 2004 and depending upon the number of participants continue into 2005. Student's contributions will be showcased on our website as they come online.

To get involved and find out more!

Register your interest in participating. Enquiries can be made to Artlab Australia online or via, ph:(08) 8207 7520, fax:(08) 8207 7529 or email artlab@saugov.sa.gov.au.