The Song Room Web Site

The Song Room Research Project

The Song Room is delighted to announce a major, ground breaking research and evaluation project in partnership with the Macquarie Group Foundation and the NSW Attorney General’s Department, to research the outcomes of programs across a range of variables, target groups and program types.

In addition, this research will conduct more specific, in depth and longitudinal research on programs with indigenous youth, refugees and youth in areas of high juvenile crime, to provide specific impact analysis of arts based initiatives on those populations.

This strategic three year project will not only build capacity for The Song Room to further develop and deliver its programs in a more specific and targeted evidence based manner, but will also build capacity in the broader context of policy and program delivery in education and particularly in the context of the key target groups through immigration, justice and indigenous affairs.

Whilst there has been research indicating the important role that arts-based programs can play in building the educational, personal and social circumstances for children, there is considerable variation in perspectives associated with arts education, and the research in Australia is limited.

Whether it is intended to achieve learning outcomes or learning transfer, whether skills based, knowledge based, personal development oriented, or a combination of these, it is important to draw on evidence of the links between different forms of arts experiences and such outcomes.

The research and evaluation project will produce a range of outcomes for wider audiences and significance, as well as inform The Song Room in the continued development and implementation of its unique music and arts programs for disadvantaged children.

Research Outcomes – Implications for Program Design & Delivery

The specific research findings will provide guidance on a range of music/arts program design issues and guidance on more selective and effective targeting of program types and arts media to diverse target groups.

For example:

• Research from the programs in areas of high juvenile crime will help identify the key arts-related program components that correlate with the reduction of the risk indicators of juvenile crime involvement;
• Research from the indigenous youth programs will help identify the key arts-related program components that have a discernible impact encouraging re-engagement of ‘at risk’ Indigenous youth with learning and school;
• Research from the refugee youth programs will help identify the key arts-related program components that have a discernible impact on positive mental health outcomes for refugee youth and assist with settlement and improved literacy.

Research Findings - Policy & Practice Implications

The outcomes will be relevant to a range of stakeholders associated with the target groups above and will have implications in terms of future policy development and practice, for example:

• Prevention of juvenile crime;

• Settlement support for refugees;

• Engagement programs for Indigenous youth.

Alice Tinning
Research Coordinator

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This research was only made possible by the generous support of the following program partners: