Students and teachers from schools as far-reaching as Bidyadanga in the Kimberley to Balcatta and Wanneroo senior high schools in Perth will be the first to benefit from the ArtsEdge Artists in Residence (AIR) Grants Program.

Minister for Culture and the Arts, John Day and Minister for Education Liz Constable today announced more than $270,000 in funding to regional and metropolitan schools and artists as part of the inaugural AIR Grants Program.

The program is delivered in two streams; Stream One - short-term residencies spanning a minimum of 30 days; and Stream Two -  longer-term collaborations between public schools and arts organisations that have a track record in delivering arts education to schools.

“Students and teachers benefiting from the $175,000 funding delivered in Stream One will gain access to arts practices including; dance, puppetry, sustainable arts, pottery, installation art and music,” Mr Day said.

“This initiative will provide opportunities for professional development for teachers, valuable lessons for students as well as skills sharing and greater exposure for artists.”

Education Minister Liz Constable said the artists would provide new artistic inspiration for schools and the projects would provide practical lessons as well as encourage students to be creative.

“Professional artists will not only foster creativity, they will demonstrate the technical skills and discipline required to bring an artwork to completion,” Dr Constable said.
 
Leading youth dance and theatre company Buzz Dance Theatre is the first to take part in the long-term residency program receiving $98,000 to place leading dancers into Balcatta, Balga, Greenwood and Wanneroo Senior High Schools.

“Buzz Dance Theatre will spend the greater part of the school year with this cluster of schools teaching valuable lessons in storytelling translated through dance. This will culminate in a live performance and film screening,” Mr Day said.

“This initiative is forward-thinking and recognises the value of arts in children’s development.”

The AIR Grants Program is funded by the Federal Government through the Australia Council for the Arts. The program will be delivered by ArtsEdge - a strategic art in education partnership between the Department of Culture and the Arts (DCA) and the Department of Education and Training (DET).

Kathy Keele, Chief Executive Officer of the Australia Council for the Arts said this was a welcome announcement for Western Australia.

“The benefits of having artists-in-residence in Australian schools are many.  Australian artist’s have an incredible capacity to nurture creativity in young people and increase their appreciation for our arts,” she said. 

View the list of AIR Grants recipients.

Full details on the AIR Grants Program is available from the ArtsEdge website http://www.artsedge.dca.wa.gov.au