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Managing Time – Why should I maximise arts time outside the classroom?

Complementing the arts curriculum with time outside of the classroom will enhance arts learning by providing experiences that build and enrich arts knowledge, understanding and skills developed in the classroom.

How can I maximise time outside the classroom?

Time outside the classroom could include:

  • visiting performances, demonstrations and exhibitions
  • artist/s in residence
  • teacher professional development
  • access to specialised facilities in galleries, museums, concert halls, theatres and other arts venues.

These all provide rich environments for excursions and opportunities to explore the local community and its resources, equipment, facilities, museums, community festivals and live performances.

While insights into arts practices can be enhanced by bringing artists into schools, possibilities for works of art and art spaces beyond the classroom should also be explored. This can include workplaces of artists, community spaces and virtual spaces.

By visiting designated arts locations (physically or virtually), students are involved in valuable roles as creative and critical arts consumers, while also learning valuable audience skills. Attending arts events helps students to develop an aesthetic appreciation of the art form, as well as exposing them to the methods by which the works are created and made. Opportunities should be made possible for students to see a range of performances and exhibitions across the five arts subjects.

Who is involved in maximising time for arts learning?

The partnership between teachers and their students in developing arts experiences is essential to quality arts learning. Parents, principals and community partners are also key stakeholders who influence and enhance arts learning.



This project is funded by the Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.