Feedback Required on Statement to Prevent Cuts to Education Funding for Arts Support in Primary Schools

The NZ Education system is currently facing significant changes. Primary schools arts advisors have been cut, along with all other advisors except those in the areas of numeracy and literacy. Other cuts may be on the way, which may further undermine New Zealand’s world leading Arts Curriculum.  This topic, and its implications for the performing arts sector, was discussed at the recent Auckland Performing Arts Forum.  Many people in the sector do not realise the far reaching long term consequences of these cuts, which is why this statement has been prepared. 

We would welcome your feedback about the Statement, prior to raising our concerns with funding agencies, politicians and educators.  If you would like to help us raise awareness about these concerns, please also get in touch.  Please either post feedback by way of this site or email frith@silotheatre.co.nz . 

Alternatively you can contact other members of the group who have prepared this statement:

Amber McWillams – Strata Creative amber@stratacreative.co.nz
Lester McGrath – Auckland Theatre Company lester@atc.co.nz
Mary Jane O’Reilly – Tempo mj@tempo.co.nz
Sally Markham – Markham Arts sallymarkham@xtra.co.nz

Proposed Statement

CUTS TO EDUCATION FUNDING FOR ARTS SUPPORT IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS: RESPONSE FROM THE ARTS SECTOR

The arts are destined to play an increasingly important role in the economic, social and cultural wellbeing of New Zealand. Cultural industries contributed $12.5 billion in 2007, and the sector’s contribution will continue to grow.  

Arts education is essential at primary, secondary and tertiary levels if the arts sector is to realise its full potential. Early experience of the arts is crucial in forming attitudes to the participation in the arts in later life. Reducing support for school arts programmes “ghettoises” the arts, decreasing equity of access and impoverishing the arts sector and wider community – results that have been sadly evident in the wake of cuts to primary school arts programmes in the USA and UK.

Accordingly there is very real concern across the New Zealand arts sector about the impact of cuts to arts educational advisory positions to arts programmes in primary schools and the school system as a whole.  

The arts are vital to three key areas of New Zealand’s future wellbeing:

Cultural identity
In 2008, 97% of New Zealanders surveyed responded that culture and cultural activities were important to New Zealand’s sense of national identity.

Social connectedness
Significant research in the UK and USA provides compelling evidence to show that the arts connect children and young people with their communities. Arts programmes create positive change in the school’s socio-economic context, enabling schools to become community change agents. The arts provide authentic learning experiences that connect children and young people to the world of work. Through engagement with creative projects, disaffected students experience confidence in their ability to achieve and participate. In providing opportunities for participation from all the school community, arts projects are powerful creators of social cohesion, pride and growth. 

Economic contribution
Between 2001 and 2006, the cultural workforce grew at a greater rate than the workforce overall: 21 percent as opposed to 15 percent. This maintains a trend which has been seen since 1996. In 2006, 7% of New Zealanders were employed in the cultural industries. In current prices the value-added contributed by the creative industries amounted to $3.23 billion in 2007. In the words of Jeremy Nowak, American investment advisor, “Two decades of research document the enormous economic role of arts and culture in urban and metropolitan economies. It is a sector that can be quantified in jobs, sales, and real estate value.”

There can only be one conclusion: a thriving arts sector is good for New Zealand.

The long-term cost to New Zealand by decreasing support for arts education is far greater than the short-term cost savings. Engagement with the arts is not an optional extra; it is vital to a healthy and productive society. New Zealand’s primary school arts curriculum is internationally acknowledged to be among the best in the world. The arts sector calls for this curriculum to be supported, so that our children and our creative communities can continue to grow and contribute to New Zealand’s future.