The National Education and the Arts Statement is the result of a joint resolve by both the Cultural Ministers’ Council (CMC) and MCEETYA in 2005 to set down a vision for the future of education and the arts in Australia.
To develop the vision the two councils, comprising federal and state and territory Ministers, established a joint working group of the Australian Education Systems Officials Committee and the CMC Standing Committee
The resulting National Education and the Arts Statement recognises that schools that value creativity and innovation lead the way in cultivating the well-informed and active citizens Australia’s future demands.
The statement highlights the importance of the arts in giving students opportunities to both appreciate and be active participants in Australia’s vibrant cultural life, which encourages the growth of flexible individuals who can communicate effectively and cope with change.
It also notes the importance of the arts in engendering cultural understanding and social harmony, and outlines key principles for collaborative action to improve and increase student access to arts programs.
The National Education and the Arts Statement can be downloaded
A new joint working group has been established to progress and develop initiatives arising from the Statement. The new joint implementation working group comprises representatives from the Australian Government and each state and territory.
