Learning Through 'The Creative ARTS'
About 'The Arts'!
"An education rich in the Arts maximises opportunities for learners to engage with innovative thinkers and leaders and to experience the Arts both as audience members and as Artists. Such an education is vital to students’ success as individuals and as members of society, emphasising not only creativity and imagination, but also the values of cultural understanding and social harmony that the Arts can engender" ((National Education and the Arts Statement, 2007). (retrieved from Acara 22.3.14)
"Music [the creative Arts]exist in every culture and is a basic expression of human experience." (ACARA) For those of us who are aware of the power ''the creative Arts'' these states are of no surprise.The creative Arts have, surpassed any other teaching method available for teachers today. The creative Arts as we call them, are known to 'make people smarter' but the reverse is also true. Children who have not had the opportunity to the study 'the creative Arts' show signs of delays in their mental, emotional, social and academic development (Lierse, A The secret Power of Music education p7 retrieved from, www.glendalps.vic.edu.au cited 10.3.14) The most astonishing results found are in the areas of, "personal, social, and intellectual [development], as well as the development of language literacy, numeracy, creativity, social skills, concentration, team work, fine motor coordination, self-confidence and emotional sensitivity" (Lierse, A The secret power of music education p7 retrieved from, www.glendalps.vic.edu.au cited 10.3.14)
Essentially the creative Arts improve every area necessary for a happy, meaningful life. Key findings prove that the creative Arts improve people's ability in all areas. It is for this reason that this website was designed to create a resources centre for teachers to enhance their teaching with the power that the creative Arts can give. The goal of this website being the power of 'the creative Arts' for all.
As an educator I have a professional experience in the' disciplines of: music, drama, dance and visual Arts. I have a passion for: social justice, recycling, media, ICT and 3 dimensional Art. Whilst I am extremely versatile I define myself as a holistic Arts educator that can work within each discipline successfully. My interdisciplinary approach is most apparent in my approach to students learning where the process, content and product can be taken from any of the disciplines to aid students artistic exploration or self expression. As an educator I model the passion for learning by my own passion for 'the creative Arts'. I do this by being an active artist, musician, actress and dancer and I share with my students my art works and performances.
It is my vision as an Arts educator to empower students to be " critical and creative thinkers, students will gain the confidence and the tools to understand and critique the Arts in everyday life. Students will learn that the Arts exist in process as much as in finished artistic products. Process does not have to result in a product or performance. Through their Arts studies, students will discover that artists work both individually and in groups, and that the Arts connect many creative and mainstream industries contributing to the development of a vibrant, modern and inclusive Australian society. (ACARA, 2011)
The positive side affect I envisage this to have on society is that this process will train my students to be positive well rounded members who are astute at solving problems, with the ability to make sense of life and the world around them. I also predict that my students would demonstrate compassion and empathy toward others through the study of history, traditions, and heritage that is the heart and soul of the creative Arts'. (ACARA, 2013)
That my students would be people who are equipped socially, mentally, emotionally, academically and functionally as the adults of tomorrow. That my students will be creative thinkers that push the bounds of our minds to a place that can break new ground, change the world and, make it a better place. Without these skills developed through the creative Arts, the adults of tomorrow do not have the mental, emotional, academic and social development to function in our fast paced, and competitive world. It is through the power of the creative Arts that people can be equipped, well rounded and prepared . In closing as Winston Churchill said "if we take away the creative Arts then what on earth did we fight for ? The study of ''the creative Arts'' makes our world a better place for all.
