Emeritus Professor Valerie Kirk AM
ATW Board Member 

Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
MA (Hons). University of Wollongong.
Grad. Dip.in Education Admin., Hawthorn Inst. of Ed., Victoria.
Art Teachers Post Graduate Certificate. Goldsmiths College, University of London.
Postgraduate. Edinburgh College of Art.
Degree in Art & Design. Edinburgh College of Art.

Emeritus Professor Valerie Kirk studied art and design at Edinburgh College of Art, where she discovered woven tapestry. As a recent graduate, she came to Australia and worked in the Victorian (now Australian) Tapestry Workshop and travelled the country to teach in communities and colleges, work as an artist-in-residence, exhibit and lead community tapestry projects. From 1991-2017 Valerie was Senior Lecturer and Head of Textiles at the Australian National University, School of Art and Design , ACT, where she now holds the position of Emeritus Professor. She is an artist and tapestry weaver, writer, teacher and public figure who has made a significant contribution internationally. ​

While actively maintaining her practice as an artist, Valerie’s remarkable capacity for achievement has seen her research Australian Indigenous textiles, direct significant projects, guest lecture on international textile tours and create major works. During 2004-2019 she was commissioned to design and weave six major tapestries to celebrate Nobel/Japan/Kyoto Prizes in Science associated with the Australian National University. ​

Valerie has been the recipient of many awards such as the Australia Council New Work grant, ACT Creative Arts Fellowship, Muse Arts Woman of the Year Award and the Canberra Centenary Community Tapestry project marks substantial success. Her artwork can be seen in collections nationally and internationally. Valerie was appointed as a member (AM) in the General Division of the Order of Australia in June 2022 for significant service to tertiary arts education, and as an artist and curator. ​