The arts are as old as humanity. They are part of every culture and central to the diverse and continuing cultures of First Nations Australians. Through the arts, people share stories, ideas, knowledge and understanding. The arts engage our senses and give us ways to imagine, celebrate, communicate and challenge ways of knowing, being, doing and becoming.
Participating in quality arts experiences and practices enriches our social and emotional wellbeing. It fosters development of our imagination and enables us to reach our creative and intellectual potential. The distinctive languages, knowledges and practices of each arts subject in the Australian Curriculum enable learners to play, explore, question, challenge and imagine new possibilities as they create, embody, design, represent, collaborate and communicate ideas, emotions, observations and experiences. The arts foster rich cross-curriculum opportunities for learners as they grow in their understanding of self and others, and as they make sense of, interpret and respond to their real and imagined worlds.
Aims
The Arts aims to develop students':
- creativity, critical thinking, aesthetic knowledge and understanding about arts practices
- knowledge and skills to imagine, observe, express, respond to and communicate ideas and perspectives in meaningful ways
- use of available resources and materials including digital tools
- empathy for multiple perspectives and understanding of personal, local, regional, national and global histories and traditions through the arts
- engagement with the diverse and continuing cultures, arts works and practices of First Nations Australians
- understanding of local, regional, national and global cultures, and their arts histories and traditions, through engaging with the worlds of artists, arts works, audiences and arts professions.
These aims are extended and complemented by specific aims for each subject in The Arts.
Structure
The Arts is presented in 2-year band levels from Year 1 to Year 10, with Foundation being presented as a single year.
The learning area of The Arts is provided by a Specialist teacher to all students from Prep to Year 6.
Our The Arts specialist teacher is responsible for planning, teaching, assessing and reporting on AC V9 The Arts.
The Minimum Requirements for Providing the Australian Curriculum provides clarity around the time that teachers are required to spend implementing The Arts Learning Area.