Numerous international studies have found that education through creative play brings benefits for both students and teachers.
In 2007, ArtPlay began its own formal investigations into its role as both children’s educator and creative outlet. A three-year research program was established in partnership with the University of Melbourne and the Australian Research Council.
Through this research, ArtPlay seeks to identify the value of providing opportunities for children to work with artists. As well as educational benefits, ArtPlay is also interested in identifying any social benefits generated through its endeavours.
Research findings will be documented and a symposium is planned to consider these.
Asking questions
We have been asking questions of children, artists, parents and care-givers, ArtPlay staff and others, as well as making detailed observations and recording data on processes and the outcomes. We are scrutinising short workshops, sustained programs, drop-in days, festival events and schools visits in all arts disciplines and with children of all ages.
Through our work we will be able to outline the characteristics of effective practice, produce guidelines for artist-teacher practice, develop evaluation techniques and make recommendations for sustainable development and continuous improvement at ArtPlay.
ArtPlay is a unique arts provider for children in Australia, driven by a fundamental belief that artist-led teaching is central to creative and innovative programs. ArtPlay, its staff and artists have invariably welcomed our questions and our suggestions, recommendations and critiques.
These positive relationships have enabled the research to undertake in-depth study into key programs.
Robert Brown, Neryl Jeanneret, and John O’Toole
ArtPlay Research Project, University