NOTE for [Arts Editor, the Canberra Times] Helen Musa: I'm sending two pieces. A short piece (275 words) which I think could be used on the Arts page and a longer piece (485 words) which seems better on the Education page. On the other hand you can use some of each if you like and as you like. They want bookings made by February 28, which is probably too soon for publication(?), but I would still include the phone numbers anyway.
Some extra points, in case you need them for your speech:
The conference theme is aimed not just at "breaking down the barriers", but at breaking down (deconstructing, I think) the concept of cultural constructs, and coming to understand different cultural constructions through the arts.
Have they sent you the green sheet with the program on it? It's got terrible typos in it - claimed to be the result of a Level 1 teacher typing it overload.
The major purpose of the workshops is motivational, based on research (according to Phil) which shows a) arts teachers need constant renewal, mostly so that they don't feel so alone; b) arts teachers need opportunities to be artists - to make art, at whatever level, so they have the confidence to work directly with their students.
Another benefit of the workshops is that specialist teachers who are mainly in high schools and colleges are presenting workshops which will include a large proportion of primary teachers as participants, and it is hoped that communication between the sectors will be enhanced.
THEATRE BY FRANK MCKONE
artstart '97 is a program of speakers, workshops and performances presented by ACTATA - the ACT Arts Teachers Association. This year begins with The Arts Bites Back, Friday March 7, 1997, 4.30 - 7.30 pm at the Australian National Gallery and Saturday March 8, all day, at the O'Connell Centre, Griffith.
The keynote speakers are the Arts Editor of The Canberra Times, Helen Musa; Indigenous Arts Liaison Officer, Rob Russell; community theatre director Dominic Mico; and script writer Graham Pitt. This diverse set of speakers will set the scene on Friday night for teachers to put themselves through their artistic paces on Saturday.
The essence of the program is in the theme: Towards a Diverse Cultural Understanding. Workshops cover anything from African dance, studio media production, music in the primary classroom, through to curriculum course writing - bring your own disk!
Performances are by Sabrina Kabibi (African Soukousse dance), The Jigsaw Company (Intaglio), Caroline Chisholm High School (Body Bags), ACT Drama Association (Neither Here Nor There), Southern Aurora Jazz Band and, to celebrate International Women's Day, the Australian Education Union Women's Choir.
Many teachers want to be able to put the arts into their classroom programs and here is the way to begin, by participating, experiencing, appreciating and understanding. It's a packed program with lots of choices, but this will be the first in a series which ACTATA will provide in their professional development program for teachers across the arts and from pre-school to college.
ACTATA is a new cross-arts body, so there will also be the first ACTATA AGM - and a dinner if you book in fast. Ring Phil Hopkins on 205 7676 or Naomi Nicholson on 205 6125.
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EDUCATION BY FRANK MCKONE
There is an old myth, perpetuated by George Bernard Shaw, who should have known better, that those who can, do and those who can't, teach. Arts teachers in Canberra are organising their professional development to debunk this too common view.
artstart '97: The Arts Bites Back is an evening of keynote speakers, on Friday March 7, followed by a full Saturday of workshops and performances designed to help any teacher - from pre-school to college - learn arts skills which they can pass on in the classroom. The program is centred on the understanding that a teacher in the arts needs to be a maker of art: you can't teach without doing.
Of course, professional development can't happen without money. artstart '97 is the program of a quite new body, ACTATA - ACT Arts Teachers Association. The Drama, Music, Visual Art, Media, and Dance professional associations have joined with the Canberra Cultural Centre, the Australian Catholic University's Arts Factory and NAAE (National Affiliation of Arts Educators) based at University of Canberra and have successfully bid for funds from the National Professional Development Program.
Earlier in the 1990's the Federal Government's enquiry into the status of teaching reported that, though teachers provided most of their own professional development through their own associations, teacher-leaders were not rewarded with credentials or remuneration. New arrangements were made for the ACT Department of Education to channel funding, made available through the University of Canberra, through to the teacher associations.
The present Federal Government has cut the National PD Program in its previous form, but a reincarnation is possible through another new body which is in the process of birthing: each state and territory will have a Council of Professional Associations of teachers (covering all curriculum areas) and funds will be channelled through this body.
The Arts Bites Back, using funds handed over last year, has the theme Towards a Diverse Cultural Understanding, even though governments seem to favour centralisation and hierarchy. Yet it is also true according to Phil Hopkins (previously Curriculum Executive Officer for the Arts and now teaching at Lanyon High School) that teachers from the different arts areas have come to appreciate the cross-flow of ideas and experiences in ACTATA - and perhaps the Council of Professional Associations will also become an effective co-operative body. In the interim, the ACT no longer has an arts curriculum officer despite the fact that the arts is one of the key learning areas.
Hopefully the new system can be working by the time last year's money runs out - and, hopefully, this government will provide enough funding for the Council to avoid becoming the centre of bitter conflict between different subject areas.
In the meantime, teachers should book to "Heart Start Your Year with Artstart" by ringing Phil Hopkins on 205 7676 or Naomi Nicholson on 205 6125. Registration is $20, which includes all catering for Friday evening and Saturday.
© Frank McKone, Canberra
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