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The DRAFT Shape Paper is now available for consultation on the ACARA website:
www.acara.edu.au
Consultation will take place over a 10‐week period.
ACARA is determined to implement a curriculum in the Arts that demolishes what Visual Arts
has achieved as a strong and valued subject in the K‐12 curriculum.
VADEA rejects the DRAFT Shape Paper because:
• it fails to represent the quality of the syllabuses currently in place for Visual Arts in
NSW
• it reduces learning to a common process approach described as the strands of
generating, realising and responding for all of the Arts.
• it does not take into account the time requirements for the Mandatory Course as it
exists in NSW schools. Any reduction in time for our subject will compromise
opportunities students have for deep and sustained learning in Visual Arts. This
impacts on their options for achieving high standards in the Visual Arts in the
Mandatory Course and elective courses in Year 9‐10 and 11‐12.
• it compromises the place of Visual Arts in the curriculum and in the wider Australian
society. Where will the artists of the future come from?
• If accepted, we predict Visual Arts teachers will lose jobs or end up teaching Drama,
Dance, or Music.
VADEA supports the development of an Australian Curriculum in Visual Arts and advocates
for the development of a new curriculum based on proposals presented at the VADEA
Teachers' Forum in September 2010.
These proposals:
• represent conceptual and practical knowledge within a developmental continuum
that is based on research and proven practice in Visual Arts Education
• provide ACARA a framework for designing an aspirational C21st curriculum based on
best practice ensuring that the quality of the Australian Curriculum in Visual Arts
exceeds what is in place in all states.
We are committed t the best possible outcome for Visual Arts. Recent public statements by
the NSW Minister for Education, President of the Board of Studies, teacher unions and
academics provide evidence that Visual Arts teachers are well supported in rejecting ACARAs
proposal and advocating for a better outcome.
VADEA members are encouraged to respond by every means possible – individually and
collectively. Every response will count.
Please ensure that you:
• Read the DRAFT SHAPE OF THE AUSTRALIAN CURRICULUM: THE ARTS
• Respond to the surveys on the ACARA and BOS websites
• Encourage others to do the same
• Build opportunities to talk with the executive in your school, parents and students.
Encourage them to respond.
• Engage, advocate and take decisive action in order that our future in Visual Arts
education is not compromised by a reductive ‘feel good’, know nothing approach
that has been proposed.