Our Story
The Song Room brightens the future for young people across Australia through impactful arts learning programs delivered in partnership with schools and communities.
Our Purpose
We believe that every child has the right to succeed in life beginning with access to the arts at school.
The Song Room is the only Australian education organisation delivering multi-year, multi-artform arts learning programs with student and teacher outcomes.
2024 marks The Song Room’s 25 year anniversary. Since we started in 1999, we have been helping to close the education equity gap for children experiencing disadvantage. In the last 25 years over 500,000 students and teachers have participated in our programs.
In-class, sequential arts education programs were rolled out nationally in 2006, including schools in remote and regional locations. These programs include face-to-face and online delivery in a hybrid approach responsive to the needs of each school and their community.
In 2013 we launched our award-winning digital education platform, ARTS:LIVE, providing primary school teachers with accessible, curriculum-aligned, online arts education resources.
Today, The Song Room is a leading provider of high-quality arts-learning experiences. Our evidence-based programs boost student engagement, create a sense of belonging, and aim to develop the full range of cognitive, emotional and social skills essential for young people to thrive.
The Need
In Australia, children experiencing disadvantage begin school behind their peers and continue to fall further behind as the years progress.
Despite extensive evidence that links music and arts-based programs with decreased absenteeism, better grades and improved wellbeing, the education equity gap continues to grow.
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3 out of 4 schools miss out
Many schools do not have access to a specialist music teacher. With 3 in 4 schools missing out, 1.7 million children go without a quality music education.1
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3 years behind other students
By the age of 15, students from low socioeconomic backgrounds are nearly 3 years behind in their education than their more advantaged peers.2
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Less than 20 hours training
Australian teachers receive an average of only 15-20 hours instruction in teaching the arts throughout their three-year teaching qualification.3
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Complete less than 13 years schooling
Disadvantaged children are less likely to perform well academically, attend school, or complete 13 years of schooling.4
Our Approach
The Song Room works in partnership with primary schools, communities and online throughout regional, remote and metropolitan Australia to create sustainable outcomes for children to flourish in and through arts education.
We deliver curriculum-aligned education programs in all art forms: music, drama, visuals arts, media arts and dance. We support student learning across subject areas and we engage parents, school leaders and the school community through rich arts experiences.
Students develop their knowledge and understanding of creative processes, while learning communication, collaboration and intercultural skills. As their confidence grows their wellbeing improves, and they develop a sense of belonging at school. This impacts students’ openness to learning, helping to improve their outcomes.
Teachers are supported with mentoring and professional development to confidently deliver the arts, and to use these skills across the curriculum to help students engage in learning more broadly.
Schools leaders are encouraged to develop and promote a sustainable, whole school approach to arts learning to ensure the benefits of the arts continues at the school beyond our programs.
When the arts become an integral part of a school community, schools access an ongoing source of pride and connection, building a strong school culture and creating a thriving community.
We stand for
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Creativity
We value creativity as the foundation of original ideas and innovation.
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Diversity
We respect, embrace and appreciate that we are all different. Diversity allows us to explore our differences in a safe, positive and nurturing environment.
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Integrity
We act with self-awareness, accountability and truthfulness.
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Empowerment
We take initiative to build confidence and encourage others to contribute meaningfully to their own lives and the lives of others.
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Collaboration
We work together towards shared goals. A commitment to building strong relationships with partners and allies strengthens everything we do.
Our Performance
The work and success of The Song Room is made possible through a visionary group of government, corporate, and philanthropic supporters. Diligent and robust financial management contribute to a stable platform that enables effective and efficient use of our resources.
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Stakeholder Funding 2022
The Song Room receives funding for its valuable programs from a diverse range of sources:
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Government grants
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Individual & general donations
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Philanthropic trusts & foundations
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Corporate donations
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Other income
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Funds Expenditure 2022
The Song Room’s program delivery model supports low operational costs to ensure more funds are spent directly on improving the lives of Australian children:
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Arts learning programs
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Fundraising & marketing
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Operations & governance
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- Robin Stevens, Trends in School Music Education Provision in Australia, The Music Council of Australia in collaboration with the Australian Society for Music Education and the Australian Music Association, 2003
- Thomson, S. (2011). Challenges for Australian education. Research Developments. 25(25) https://research.acer.edu.au/resdev/vol25/iss25/2
- Hocking, H. (2009). National Audit of Music Discipline and Music Education Mandatory Content within Pre-Service Generalist Primary Teacher Education Courses: a report. Music Council of Australia. https://www.musicinaustralia.org.au/national-audit-of-music-description-and-music-education-mandatory-content-with-pre-service-generalist-primary-teacher-education-courses/
- Gonski, D., Boston, K., Greiner, K., Lawrence, C., Scales, B., Tannock, P. (2012) Review of Funding for Schooling Final Report. https://www.dese.gov.au/school-funding/resources/review-funding-schooling-final-report-december-2011/.