Failed to mention that the funding for the Artists in Schools Programme has been axed. As you can see from the range of work the students have produced and the potential for ongoing development and cross curricular links are huge, all from a small initial investment of $10,000.
The short term view of many politicians and governments never fails to astound me, and given that here in New Zealand schools are looking for ways to implement the new curriculum in innovative and exciting ways. What better way than through the arts?
This is at best a missed opportunity and at worse bullying, by picking on areas such as the arts, who in the minds of the politicians are hobby subjects, they feel they can get away with axing funding and with out much fuss being made. Some of the blame can be laid at the feet of those in the arts world, who at times are virtually invisible when it comes to protesting funding cuts etc. Artists need to show how important the arts are to all aspects of our lives.
When being creative is seen as important, and that the creative arts lead the curriculum across all subjects, then we will of made progress. Until then we need to make sure that the arts in schools and in our communities are given the recognition that they are crucial to our schools and communities development, not an added extra.
Sorry for the rant, I shall get back to my hobby now.
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