The Visual Arts and Design Educators Association NSW welcomes the opportunity to provide feedback on Nurturing Wonder and Igniting Passion, designs for a future school curriculum: NSW Curriculum Review Interim Report, released on 22nd October 2019. The Interim Report proposes changes to the content of the curriculum, the structure of the curriculum and the senior school curriculum in NSW, and was developed by Independent Review Lead, Professor Geoff Masters as the basis for further public consultation. It is of vital importance that the voices of Visual Arts and Design educators are heard in relation to the 15 reform directions. Your feedback, due by 13th December 2019, will inform the final recommendations of the review.
VADEA represents the largest membership of visual arts educators in Australia, with over 850 members. VADEA is committed to contributing in a positive and constructive way to the Curriculum Review Interim Report, in the interests of achieving a high quality Visual Arts K-12 curriculum for NSW that prepares students for the 21st Century, recognising it has its own body of knowledge as a discipline that is distinct from other arts subjects.
Many of the reform directions addressed within the Interim Report including promoting deep understanding, applying knowledge, a flexible curriculum, continuity of learning and a major project have been features of the NSW Visual Arts syllabus for two decades. Visual Arts and Design educators in NSW are leading the way in this regard and have sustained a refined and innovative curriculum, that “supports teachers to nurture wonder, ignite passion and provide every young person with knowledge, skills and attributes that will help prepare them for a lifetime of learning” (p.x). The enduring legacy and success of the Visual Arts 7-10 and 11-12 syllabuses is strongly supported and endorsed by visual arts teachers throughout NSW, Australia and internationally.
Nurturing Wonder and Igniting Passion, designs for a future school curriculum: NSW Curriculum Review Interim Report can be viewed here. The shorter workbook can be found here.
If you are interested in providing individual feedback to the Interim Report, please follow this link and and submit by the 13th December 2019.
VADEA Response to the NSW Curriculum Review Interim Report (Abridged Version)
