Creativity tops the class for artists in schools

Artists will team up with teachers and students in 14 Queensland schools in a program that uses arts as a tool to enhance learning opportunities.

Arts Minister Ian Walker said the Artist in Residence program will give hundreds of children across the state a chance to explore their creative side.

“The 2013 program is all about bringing Arts to all Queenslanders and making this state a cultural hub,” Mr Walker said.

“It gives $245,170 in Queensland and Australian Government funding to seven metropolitan and seven regional schools.

“Projects will take place in Aurukun, Beaudesert, Birdsville, Bedourie, Brisbane, Coen, Deception Bay, Gold Coast, Hope Vale, Innisfail, Mt Isa, Rockhampton and Toowoomba.

“Students at special schools at Brisbane’s Red Hill and Clifford Park in Toowoomba, as well as the special education unit at Beaudesert State School will get to engage their creativity and increase their capacity to understand the world around them.”

Minister Walker said the successful Cape York Instrumental Project, led by the Queensland Music Festival (QMF), will be funded for a second phase.

“This project has made a great start establishing an instrumental music program at Cape York Aboriginal Australian Academy campuses in Hope Vale, Aurukun and Coen, with students performing in 2013 in the Yarrabah Brass Band as part of QMF,” he said.

“The Artist in Residence program initiates creative partnerships with a lasting impact.”

Australia Council for the Arts Chief Executive Officer Tony Grybowski said the Artist in Residence Initiative was an innovative program that placed professional practising artists in schools to realise the benefits of creative practice, in partnership with teachers and students. 

“More than 280 residencies have been undertaken across Australia since 2008, delivering strong partnerships between artists, teachers and students,” Mr Grybowski said.

“There are 14 residencies in the 2013 Queensland round and the calibre of artists is extraordinary. I look forward to seeing the outcomes for all those involved.”

The Artist in Residence program is a three-year partnership (2013-2015) between the Queensland Government and the Australia Council for the Arts. For a list of projects go to www.arts.qld.gov.au

[ENDS] 16 July 2013

Media contact: Casie Scott 0432 453 225