The Song Room Web Site

The Hon. Maxine McKew MP, announces key National Music & Arts Initiatives on behalf of The Song Room: The Song Room Online and a Major National Research Project

In July 2008, the new member for Bennelong and Parliamentary Secretary for Early Childhood Education and Childcare, The Hon. Maxine McKew MP, announced two key national music and creative arts initiatives to enhance the educational and social outcomes for disadvantaged children across Australia: The Song Room Online and a Major National Research project on the impact of arts-based programs on children.

The impact and benefits of arts for children’s educational outcomes and social engagement and development are well understood. Despite this evidence, in Australia recent research has indicated there are significant gaps in music and arts based programs, particularly in the critical primary school years.

“I am delighted to support The Song Room’s exciting and strategic initiatives which will have a significant impact on the educational and social outcomes for children right across Australia,” said Ms. McKew. “We know that music and the arts help engage children at school and build vibrant, connected communities,” she said.

“The Commonwealth Government is pleased to support The Song Room and these innovative new projects,” said Ms McKew.

The Song Room Online will offer some 6,500 disadvantaged schools across Australia access to a members’ website with a range of creative arts and music teaching and learning resources to support generalist teachers more confidently incorporate music and creative arts programs into the curriculum.

The Song Room also announced its major, ground breaking Research Project in partnership with its major supporter, Macquarie Group Foundation, to investigate the outcomes of arts-based programs particularly on recently arrived refugees, indigenous communities and children in regions of high juvenile crime.

“The Song Room Online and the Major Research Project directly support the Ministerial Council on Education, Employment, Training and Youth Affairs’ key principal that all children and young people should have a high quality arts education in every phase of learning,” said The Song Room’s CEO, Caroline Aebersold.

“It is essential that we have rigorous data from the Australian context as a basis for programs in these communities, to ensure they produce with the best possible impact. It is also essential to provide accessible resources to support schools so they can create sustainable outcomes,” Ms Aebersold said.

The Song Room commenced work on phase 1 in conjunction with the University of Melbourne.  Results of the research will be reported in due course.

The Hon. Maxine McKew MP, joins with students from Westall Primary School at Federation Square’s BMW Edge for The Song Room’s launch of The Song Room Online and its Major Research Project into arts-based interventions.

Song Room Patron, Hugh Morgan and Chairman, Richard Price, join with a number of The Song Room’s major supporters in an interactive percussion session during The Song Room’s launch.