Illuminating the gap: An overview of classroom-based arts education research in Australia

Abstract

Arts education is an internationally recognized term referencing education through the arts. The term arts is seen to encompass different things in different contexts, including but not limited to the performing arts- music, dance, drama, and theatre; visual arts, media, industrial arts, and literary arts. In this article, the authors provide an overview to date of classroom-based arts education research in Australia. In so doing, the 'gap' in the literature describing and discussing classroom-based arts education is illuminated. We call for attendance to classroom-based arts education research in Australia given that the heart of curriculum transfer and transformation is in the classroom. We offer a research methodology and design of practitioner enquiry to empower and enlighten collective knowledge sharing of professional practice. Such attendance will establish a base that can bring about sustained policy and practice change.