The importance of passionate individuals for navigating school arts provision in 19 Australian schools. (April 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: McFerran, Katrina Skewes; Crooke, Alexander HD; Steele, Megan; Hattie, John; McPherson, Gary E
• Is Part Of: Research studies in music education. Volume 45:Number 1(2023)
• Page Start: 157
• Page End: 173
• Publication Date: 2023-04
• Subjects: arts advocacy -- arts education -- arts provision -- education policy -- passionate individual; Music -- Instruction and study -- Research -- Australia -- Periodicals; Music -- Instruction and study -- Research -- New Zealand -- Periodicals; Music -- Instruction and study -- Research -- East Asia -- Periodicals; Music -- Instruction and study -- Research -- Southeast Asia -- Periodicals; 780.7105
• DOI: 10.1177/1321103X211032517
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1321-103X

Abstract

Arts programs are increasingly recognized for their role in promoting student development and cohesive school communities. Yet, most Australian schools are left to navigate a landscape characterized by shifting policy goals and external providers of diverse quality and intent. Drawing on interviews with 27 stakeholders from 19 Catholic primary schools in Melbourne, Australia, we explored key approaches to arts provision in this context, and conditions that hinder and support it. Approaches varied markedly, from school-wide programs embedded across the curriculum, to one-off incursions. Conditions consistently affecting provision ranged from leadership support to a community's view of the arts. Programs regularly relied on individuals passionate about arts to go beyond their paid roles, yet this frequently jeopardized sustainability. Overall, the approaches identified, and conditions affecting their sustainability, reveal a lack of value for school arts at policy and administration levels. This lack of value is not demonstrated in the provision of other traditional school activities like math or literacy, which begs consideration by policymakers and school administrators.