Evolving an artistic research culture in music: An analysis of an Australian study in an international context

Abstract

This paper investigates the ways in which an Australian conservatorium has established and maintained an artistic research culture over the last decade. In doing so, the authors firstly examine the international literature in terms of the current thinking about practice-centred environments, both in terms of academic research and research training as a sub-set of this. The paper then turns to interrogate the authors’ local conservatorium context by focussing on staff research activity together with a review of higher degree research programs and resources. The data gathered incorporates materials drawn from the Australian federal government’s Excellence in Research for Australia exercise together with data from local research students, graduates, academic supervisors and administrators. Arising insights offer implications for this evolving artistic research culture and the on-going interplay between staff, student and federal government agendas.