Shape of the Australian Curriculum: The Arts (Published)

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Aug 312011
 

In the past few days, the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) has published the shape paper for the Arts in the upcoming Australian Curriculum. The draft shape paper was released for consultation last October and by January this year had received over 1,600 responses nation-wide.

The shape paper for the Arts covers all five arts disciplines:

  • dance
  • drama
  • media arts
  • music
  • visual arts

This final version of the shape paper will be used to write the actual arts curriculum for Australian schools. Some notable changes include:

  • K has been replaced with ‘F’ for Foundation (year)
  • the strands of generating, realizing and responding have been replaced with making and responding
  • under the previous strand of generating, the terms apprehending and comprehending have now gone
  • the clunky table in the draft version no longer exists
  • the large band definitions for all arts disciplines as 3-8 have now been altered to accurately reflect teaching and learning models, and are now defined in bands of 3-4, 5-6 and 7-8
  • ambiguous and/or contentious terminology appears to have been largely eradicated
  • the 20-definition glossary has been replaced with a broader, slimmed down 5-definition glossary

The final shape paper for the Arts is now more logical, less complicated and significantly more user-friendly. The shape paper in my opinion has been strengthened and on the whole uses terminology and concepts drama educators should readily understand. These changes are particularly crucial for non-specialist teachers of drama across the country who will be teaching a curriculum that may not be native to them or one in which they have little or no formal training.

Of course, there will still be issues and questions to be raised with the final Arts shape paper. Even though formal consultation for change no longer exists and the process of writing the Arts curriculum will soon be in process, debate is still healthy and should merely affirm the fact that we will have a robust curriculum.

Shape paper document below. Comments welcome.

Shape of the Australian Curriculum: The Arts

Draft timeline for the development of the Arts curriculum


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 Posted by Justin Cash at 9:13 am  Policy

Theatre Alive

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Jul 312011
 

Live in Melbourne? Like independent theatre? Then you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better one-stop web shop for Melbourne’s vibrant independent theatre scene than Theatre Alive.

Developed by Arts Victoria, the Victorian Government’s arts funding and policy body, Theatre Alive was established to fill a need in the market where lovers of independent theatre in and around Melbourne could find information on shows and upcoming attractions.

Most impressive on Theatre Alive’s website is a directory listing of nearly 200 independent theatre companies and artists. Each company is alphabetically sorted with an image and brief description about who they are, accompanied by relevant contact details. In case you thought that was impressive, how about another directory listing of 40 Melbourne venues for independent theatre, as well.

Most importantly, Theatre Alive’s main website section covers current and upcoming independent theatre shows in Melbourne, including necessary booking details. The average theatre goer can also publish their own review or check out links to independent theatre reviews in Melbourne’s daily press. There are also areas for news and employment, casting, training and professional development opportunities in the scene.

If you’re an independent theatre artist or company in Melbourne, your listing is free on the Theatre Alive website. As for drama and theatre teachers, whether you take the students or just visit independent theatre without them, Theatre Alive is a fantastic resource for you.

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 Posted by Justin Cash at 9:00 am  Industry, Policy, Professional Learning, Reviews

Theatre Classification System Radio 2SER

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May 032011
 

One of the hot topics in the Australian theatre scene at the moment is whether contemporary theatre is pushing the boundaries too far in terms of audience acceptability with graphic scenes involving nudity, violence and sex?

I realise many readers of The Drama Teacher may not necessarily agree with my views, but listen below for an interview I did in the last few days with Sydney radio station 2SER on this issue, as part of The Fourth Estate, a national media and communications program.

I really wanted to stress the point in this interview that due to the nature of contemporary theatre, it is becoming increasingly complex for drama teachers to book a suitable theatre show for our students in advance. But unfortunately I didn’t get the opportunity.

The Fourth Estate Episode 11 April 29 – May 2 (mp3, 27.3mb)

(Relevant section starts at 15:10)

 

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 Posted by Justin Cash at 11:07 am  Podcasts, Policy, Senior Drama
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