What a momentous week!!!
I finished the Ruark Lewis Education Kit just in time to present it to fellow Visual Arts teachers at the Gallery's 'Teacher Preview' afternoon next Wednesday. It was a lot of hard work, but I am glad I was able to contribute to one of the Gallery's publications... I am looking forward to seeing how it is received at the 'Preview'.
It was also a sad week to be in education with the Government's announcement to cut funding and jobs. This, along with the impending introduction of a National Curriculum will be detrimental to Australia's cultural capital. The draft of the National Curriculum for The Arts lacks intellectual rigor, conceptual depth and is a very weak, watered-down version of the NSW Syllabus that I already teach. Given these two factors, we can say goodbye to creative, critically thinking, curious, expressive and imaginative young Australians with highly capable interpretive skills! Art education brings so much to society... only we'll realise it in 10 years time and it will be too late.
What can I say, I love being an educator... I hope there will still be need for me in the future.
First of all, congratulations on finishing off the education kit, Marisa! It must feel good to have it all behind you and feel like you've accomplished something worthwhile during your internship.
ReplyDeleteWith regard to your comments on the education system, I was discussing something similar with my family the other night. Not specifically about the syllabus and the National Curriculum, but how the arts are viewed in general here in Australia. It's a shame that something which contributes so positively to society has to endure (some would say the most!) cutbacks from those calling the shots. After the release date for the National Cultural Policy was pushed back in May (we're still waiting!) it's clear that we need strategies in place now more than ever to ensure the longevity of the arts in Australia. It's also clear that it begins with education in schools; it's just a shame that art isn't given the same priority as other things.
I am attracted by what you have done during your internship., because you did something that run contrary to others. I think you are a very considerate and creative educator in tems of what you raised the problem about the upcoming introduction of a National Curriculum. I do agree with you that the draft of the National Curriculum for the Arts is not good for the contemporary teaching, because if students studies without any critical thinking and curiosities, in the long-run, they will lose their interest of learning. Therefor, i really think some related department could take a second thought of that draft. And you could make a suggestion in a very proper way. Thus, it would be better in the future.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind words and support Jinghan. I am very passionate about providing a quality visual arts education for my students. I am disappointed in the recent announcements to cut funding to education and especially tertiary education in Fine Arts. The proposed National Curriculum Draft does not do too much to encourage arts study or embrace the importance of creative thinking members of society.
DeleteI am lucky that I am a member of the Visual Arts and Design Educators' Association of NSW (VADEA). They are fighting hard to have the Draft Arts National Curriculum to be re-written (again) to provide quality art education for all Australians and not at the cost of de-valuing the current NSW syllabus, which is extensive at facilitating interpretive skills and higher order thinking that everyone with any arts experience knows is possible from engagement with art. (Sorry you got me going on a rant!) :)
We really hope that ACARA (the body responsible for writing the National Curriculum) take heed of our suggestions...
In the mean time, I will keep teaching as I always have; aiming to engage and inspire my students, and hope that the creative need for young people in Australia is acknowledged by those who have the power to make positive changes happen.