Country Access: a contemporary history: the investigation of an arts education programme at the Victorian Arts Centre

Master of EducationThis study offers a history of the Victorian Arts Centre Country Access programme. The study explores the relationship that exists between education and the performing arts, as experienced by participants in the Victorian Arts Centre Country Access programme: teachers, students and artists. Data related to the programme have been collected over a twelve year period from 1982 to 1994. To describe and analyse the programme within its broadest contexts, the study first considers historical and other contextual data (the "grand tour") before specifically focussing on particular aspects of the programme (the "mini tours"). The study identifies and explores factors such as the role of teachers, artists, workshops, performances and community involvement in the development of learning and appreciation in an art education programme. It explores the relationships that exist between "creation", "appreciation" and "re-creation"; with particular emphasis on a consideration of the contributions, roles and perspectives of teachers and artists. The study attempts to identify and consider the relationships that exist between factors which contribute to long-term learning and appreciation in the performing arts i.e. to consider the relationship that exists between education and the performing arts