![Sample our Arts journals, sign in here to start your access, latest two volumes FREE to you for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/110799/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Arts.jpg"})
ABSTRACT
In September 2015, the Australian Federal Government endorsed the final version of the Australian Curriculum arts framework a document resulting from nearly seven years of consultation and development. The Australian Curriculum: The Arts Version 8.0 comprises five subjects: dance, drama, media arts, music and visual arts. This article considers the curriculum development process and highlights interplays between decisions and decision-makers. Now available for implementation in each state and territory of Australia, the nature and structure of the framework remains in question with regard to what aspects of the curriculum will be supported for implementation in each state. At the time of writing, not one state education authority has guaranteed that the curriculum, as written and in full, will be implemented. As a result Drama remains outside the educational entitlement for all children in Australia.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
Notes on contributors
Madonna Stinson is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Education and Professional Studies, Griffith University, Australia. She has worked as a teacher in primary, secondary and tertiary settings, and as a drama curriculum writer for Queensland. Her PhD, The shifting sands of curriculum development, provides a critical analysis of curriculum development and collaborative consultation. Madonna's teaching and research interests include drama curriculum and pedagogy, drama and language learning, theatre and young audiences. Madonna is Director of Publications for Drama Australia. She has several books relating to drama education including Drama and Curriculum: The Giant at the Door (Springer) and Drama and Second Language (Routledge).
John Saunders is the Education Manager at Sydney Theatre Company, Australia. He is also the Director of Arts, Education & Industry Partnerships with Drama Australia, Drama Education representative to the National Advocates for Arts Education (NAAE) and President of Drama NSW. Originally a secondary school teacher, John's teaching experience spans primary, secondary and tertiary contexts. His research and practice has investigated the links between Drama pedagogy and student literacy. John has also been a co-writer of senior curriculum in Queensland, Australia. He is the co-author of School Drama: Drama, Literature & Literacy in the Creative Classroom (Currency) with Robyn Ewing.