National Advocates for Arts Education

On this page

• Who is the NAAE?
• What is the role of the NAAE?
• What has the NAAE published?

Who is the NAAE?

The National Advocates for Arts Education (previously the National Affiliation of Arts Educators) was established in 1989 with the support of the Joint Council of Cultural and Education Ministers.

Member organisations

• Australian Dance Council—Ausdance
• National Association for the Visual Arts
• Music Council of Australia
• Australian Society for Music Education
• Drama Australia
• Australian Teachers of Media
• Art Education Australia

Membership of these associations includes teachers in tertiary institutions, community programs and private studios and practices. In its advocacy role, NAAE brings together not only teachers in each art form but also practising artists and members of the arts industry.

What is the role of the NAAE?

NAAE advocates for arts education in both institutional and community settings, develops arts education policy, and promotes quality teaching and learning in the arts. As the recognised peak association in the arts learning area, the NAAE provides access to an extensive network of arts educators and artists, and represents the interests, concerns, values and priorities of arts educators in Australia.

What has the NAAE published?

• More Than Words Can Say: A view of literacy through the arts

  • Editor: Joan Livermore
  • Date published: 2003
  • Abstract: A collection of arts papers attempting to define what is meant by ‘literacy’ in each of the art forms: dance, drama, media, music, visual art and design. The intention is to stimulate discussion amongst teachers, and to raise awareness of the potential for the arts to enhance learning across the curriculum.
  • Download: More Than Words Can Say: A view of literacy through the arts [50 pages, 1.3MB PDF]

• The Mayer Key Competencies in Arts Education

  • Authors: J. Bryce, A. Harvey-Beavis, J. Livermore, J. O’Toole
  • Date published: 1997
  • Abstract: This report is the major outcome of a project conducted by the NAAE and Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) on behalf of the Commonwealth Department of Employment and Education, Training and Youth Affairs (DEETYA). The report uses the voices of arts teachers to show how the key competencies may have a generic function across the five arts area and to explain how the construct of ‘competency’ makes sense in the arts field.
  • Download: The Mayer Key Competencies in Arts Education [81 pages, 3.5MB PDF]

• Sampling the Arts

  • Editor: Hilary Crampton
  • Date published: 1997
  • Abstract: This publication aims to share some practical ideas and experiences of a group of primary and secondary arts teachers who came together for a series of workshops called The Work Samples project. The book presents a small but insightful collection of work samples with teachers’ annotations and assessment ideas, student remarks, and comments from the editor in response to the most consistent concerns.
  • Download: Sampling the Arts [36 pages, 6.9MB PDF]

• smART IDEAS: using technology in the arts classroom

  • Editor: Pam Richmond
  • Date published: 1997
  • Abstract: This is a collection of arts activities for classroom teachers using technology in photography, textiles, photomedia, printmaking, music and video. Each lesson plan outlines the background, targeted student group, equipment needed, expected learning outcomes, suggested strategies and assessment options.
  • Download: smART IDEAS: using technology in the arts classroom [110 pages, 6.5MB PDF]

Articles

The Arts: essential learning for all teachers

(NAAE submission paper)

The future culture of innovation for teachers and schools is dependent on teacher education that fosters imaginative, responsive and critically reflective learners. These are integral features of arts learning.

Download: The Arts: essential learning for all teachers [PDF 136KB]

NAAE Executive Summary Paper

The National Advocates for Arts Education (NAAE) believe that the arts must be included as a key learning area in the development of the Early Years Learning Framework and National Curriculum, as they are central to realising the Government’s priorities for a genuine education revolution.

Download: The NAAE Executive Summary Paper [PDF 125KB]

The arts in the Early Years Learning Framework

Early childhood professionals have long recognised that the arts offer very young children significant ways of knowing about themselves, others and the world

Download: The Arts in the Early Years Learning Framework [PDF 92KB]