“The Arts are fundamental to the learning of all young Australians. The Arts make distinct and unique contributions to each young person’s ability to perceive, imagine, create, think, feel, symbolise, communicate, understand and become confident and creative individuals” (Australian Curriculum, assessment and Reporting Authority, 2010, p 3)
Throughout their schooling careers, every student should have access to various forms of education, including the arts. The Queensland Studies Authority (2007, p 1) advised that students use their creativity, imagination and senses to express ideas about social, cultural, historical and spiritual contexts through Dance, Drama, Music, Media and Visual Art. They recognise that there are many different arts disciplines and that people may choose to work as artists or use their expressive capabilities in other areas of their recreational and working lives. With this in mind, each child should be given the opportunities to excel and pursue careers in whichever field they desire. But what if our schools have yet to fully utilise the arts?
The students of Mt Morgan Central State School have many opportunities to participate in a variety of art experiences. But without proper facilities, the school has not been able to fully implement a long term arts curriculum. With the School of Arts receiving a $500,000 make over this year to have its structural integrity preserved and the stage re-build to health and safety standards, now is optimal time for students to develop identity, confidence, social participation and Inclusion through the arts in their new acquired space (Australian Curriculum, assessment and Reporting Authority, 2010, p 3)
