Education
Nurturing Talent National Pride
Each year major arts companies reach more than 700,000 students in schools, while venues, commercial producers and specialist touring companies also partner with schools and education agencies.
In July 2008 the We all Play a Part campaign highlighted the important role that the performing arts plays in nurturing talent and enriching educational experience.
Classroom learning gives young Australians the skills to explore their own talent and to enjoy the art of their own country and from cultures around the world.
The high school musical, the school orchestra and the opportunity to work on plays and in school band concerts is a passage to new experience and ways of thinking.
Arts producers and presenters know the range and depth of talent in Australia is extraordinary.
However too many children miss out on the opportunity to explore their potential because of the lack of specialist teachers, instruments and resources, and high quality national curriculum.
Research conducted by the Australia Council for the Arts over the last five years has demonstrated how involvement in the performing arts improves academic outcomes1. International research has also uncovered the importance of arts in developing skills for flexible and imaginative thinking.
As the Prime Minister told the 2020 Summit this year
“Our ambition should be to create and to foster a creative imaginative Australia because so much of the economy of the twenty-first century is going to require that central faculty”.
We All Play A Part wants to pay a special tribute to the dedicated arts teachers across Australia who are nurturing talent in schools, and to the parents who are supporting their kids commitment to the performing arts.
Whether the students go on to careers in the arts, or take their creative skills into other areas and careers, they and their families and teachers all Play A Part in the success of Australia’s creative life.
Nurturing talent - Case studies
Many of Australia’s leading performing arts companies run successful projects in partnership with schools. The stories of the students are a constant reminder of the power of music, drama, dance, opera and circus to change lives.
Click on the PDFs below to hear their stories.
  |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
Education Resources
Find out more of the groundbreaking research which shows how arts in education leads to creative skills and better academic results in schools.
Champions of Change: The impact of the arts on learning
Educating for the Creative Workforce: Rethinking Arts and Education
Arts and Education Research: Towards an International Compendium
Education and the Arts Research Overview
Links
Watch for news about the Federal Government’s new program for artists in schools.
http://www.australiacouncil.gov.au/publications/education_and_the_arts
Contact your local performing arts centres to learn more about performances for schools, or search for resources with your state’s arts companies: Here’s a couple of starting points for your search.
http://musicaviva.com.au/in_schools/about
http://www.bellshakespeare.com.au/education/
http://www.qldtheatreco.com.au/education/artists_in_school/
http://www.windmill.org.au/
http://www.atyp.org/
Play your Part - On Facebook
Want to find out more about the campaign? Become a fan of We all Play a Part on Facebook, and talk to others interested in making sure that Australian students have the opportunity for high quality arts programs at their schools
Join our Facebook group.
“Today there is a golden opportunity to move the arts into the educational mainstream through innovative integrated learning programs to meet 21C needs for fuelling the creative generation, creative class, creative industries and creative economy. It is everyone's responsibility to make sure that every day, every child in every Australian school gets a chance to be involved in artistic and creative education. “We all play a part” is a good first step to building strong, durable new partnerships for arts and education. Play your part.” Dr Barbara Piscitelli AM
To play your part online and support the campaign click here.
