Arts education is not an optional enrichment activity for young people. It is the system through which participation begins, capability is developed, and pathways into further study, careers and lifelong engagement in the Arts are established. Strengthening arts education is therefore essential to realising the ambitions of the National Cultural Policy.
Read MoreThis 2023 submission looks at the huge cutbacks to arts programs in schools, and at universities and other training providers. This reduction in programs or offerings within education programs impacts on quality applicants being able to undertake Initial Teacher Education (ITE) studies in the arts.
Read MoreNAAE has made a submission to the Inquiry into the Higher Education Support Amendment (Reverse Job-Ready Graduates Fee Hikes and End 50k Arts Degrees) Bill 2025, an extremely concerning issue for people studying for Arts degrees in Australia.
Read MoreOn behalf of Drama and Music teachers in New South Wales, NAAE has expressed continued support for high-quality, clearly articulated and future-focused Stage 6 Drama and Music syllabuses for NSW schools.
Read MoreNAAE stands in solidarity with our colleagues in Aotearoa New Zealand regarding the proposed changes to the Years 0–10 Arts Curriculum. The proposed changes devalue the role of the arts and creativity in learning, and risk setting New Zealand back decades culturally, creatively, socially and economically.
Read MoreThis week, as we celebrate UNESCO International Arts Education Week (19-25 May 2025), NAAE is reminded of the transformative potential of the arts and arts education in shaping equitable, creative, just, inclusive and sustainable futures.
Read MoreArts education and training in Australia are facing a silent but urgent crisis. Despite overwhelming evidence of its positive impact on students’ academic achievement, well-being and engagement, the Arts remain undervalued and underfunded within our national education systems. This is not merely an oversight—it reflects long-standing policy neglect and misplaced priorities.
Read MoreThe NAAE has compiled a list of Creative Arts and Arts Education courses, majors and units that have been discontinued or significantly reduced across Australian tertiary institutions between 2018 and 2025.
Read MoreNAAE continues to advocate for the alarming decline in tertiary creative arts courses, and for arts curriculum revision in some State education departments.
Read MoreNAAE held a cross-sector roundtable to discuss the common concerns and possible solutions to the arts education and training crisis in Queensland.
Read MoreNAAE President, Dr John Nicholas Saunders, recently participated in a forum on PISA creative thinking assessment. Here’s a summary of the response.
Read MoreOrganisations and individuals have been invited to comment on these five pillars of a new National Cultural Policy: First Nations, A Place for Every Story, the Centrality of the Artist, Strong Institutions and Reaching the Audience.
Read MoreMeaningful investment, proper resourcing, and support in the form of sustained professional learning and adequate initial teacher education for Arts teachers are essential for how we leverage the unique skills and understandings obtained by the field in recent years.
Read More‘It is crucial that quality research across disciplinary realms is supported to help create visions and possibilities, to help promote social inclusion and cohesion, foster critical thinking, imagination and innovation – all aspects that are essential to Australia’s future.’
Read MoreNAAE’s submission to the Quality Initial Teacher Education Review is informed by our members’ experiences and research as teachers, pre-service teacher educators working in universities, and as arts education stakeholders. … NAAE believes a key factor in achieving educational success for all Australian students is the provision of quality learning experiences in The Arts at primary and secondary school.
Read MoreThis submission focuses on The Arts and provides general feedback about the proposed Australian Curriculum: The Arts. We note that most of our member national associations, and many state/territory associations have provided detailed responses.
Read MoreTwo prominent arts education researchers, Dr John Nicholas Saunders and Dr Linda Lorenza, have recently published papers highlighting the power of arts learning and the importance of principals’ own view of the arts.
Read MoreInternational Arts Education week reminds the world that the arts and learning are tightly bound and have been for a very long time. We are reminded that, throughout the twentieth century, arts educators were a dynamic force to challenge and disrupt the Transmission Model of education, rebranded these days as Direct Instruction.
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