The Draft Shape of the Australian Curriculum: The Arts (The Draft Shape Paper) is being designed to provide advice to writing teams on the nature of learning and the nature of curriculum in each of the artforms of Dance, Drama, Media Arts, Music and Visual Arts. It follows the Initial Advice paper: The Arts presented to invited arts educators, jurisdictions and industry representatives at the Arts Forum held in Sydney on 3 May 2010. Following this forum, feedback was given to writers which have formed the basis of the Draft Shape Paper.
When considering this document it is important to consider whether the information provided describes the nature and continuum of learning in the visual arts. This is the first thing that needs to be established before writers develop this into a sequential and developmental curriculum with associated achievement standards. The document will also describe how the Arts can contribute to the learning of cross-curriculum content and the general capabilities.
Release and consultation
The DRAFT SHAPE OF THE AUSTRALIAN CURRICULUM: THE ARTS is now available for public comment.
Download your copy now for discussion and response.
Art Education Australia president Marian Strong said teachers would have only about 20 minutes a week to devote to each area from kindergarten to year 8.
She said it was unfair that five art forms had to be squeezed into two hours a week, while geography and history were each allocated two hours a week in the classroom in the national curriculum.
'"I just think it's unteachable. This would be really dumbing down each art form rather than providing any depth of learning. It takes away the integrity of visual arts as a subject by lumping it with a large curriculum called the arts."
http://www.theage.com.au/national/education/debate-rages-over-arts-curriculum-20101007-169r2.html
In the news:
In the visual arts, the paper says "students will engage rationally, creatively and cognitively with art and design works"
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/visual-arts-curriculum-for-schools-omits-drawing/story-fn59nlz9-1225935659537
A 'chorus of concerns raised in recent weeks by professional and academic geographers, scientists, visual artists and principals that the rush to finish the curriculum by the end of the year is compromising the quality of courses'.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/history-course-cobbled-together/story-fn59niix-1225936216208
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/opinion/a-curriculum-at-the-crossroads/story-e6frg6zo-1225936206830
ACARA – Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority
A draft arts timeline and further information can be accessed at http://www.acara.edu.au/arts.htm
Register now to receive updates from ACARA: http://www.acara.edu.au/default.asp
Or go straight to the consultation page and register: https://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/Auth/Login
ART EDUCATION AUSTRALIA