Advocacy
Raising the bar on inequity
We are a social change agent using music to tackle inequity in Australia. ACMF was founded over 20 years ago and has been providing music programs to disadvantaged children and youth-at-risk ever since. However, we recognise we cannot resolve entrenched inequity alone. It requires state and federal government policy change as well as partnering with likeminded organisations to ensure no child misses out on a quality music education and all the benefits this brings.
Two thirds of Australian Primary Schools and one-third of secondary students do not have access to any school music education.
- With a greater emphasis on STEM not STEAM the Australian Curriculum (inadvertently) devalues music and the arts.
- This is compounded by a reliance on generalist primary educators who are not adequately trained, equipped, or supported to deliver quality music teaching confidently and effectively.
- Compulsory music in general primary teacher education has declined by 53% since 2009, meaning student teachers only have 8 hours to develop essential skills and creative confidence.
As a result, a quality music education has become the preserve of the wealthy and talented few. Inequity of access to a music education narrows the opportunities and pathways to a future career in music and stifles the development of the music industry and new audiences.
We are committed to influence, support and create systemic change to address the inequity of music education in Australia. Every young person deserves a music education.
Get on board and help us raise the bar on equity in Australia.
Music Education: Right from the Start
The Australian Children’s Music Foundation is proud to be part of a collaborative national initiative, Music Education: Right from the Start, led by Alberts | The Tony Foundation, which is focused on the place and purpose of music within a quality education and how to ensure access for all Australian primary school children.
#RaiseTheAgeNSW
We are part of the partner network supporting raising the age of criminal responsibility in NSW to at least fourteen.
We know criminalising children causes them harm and does not reduce crime. In NSW, kids as young as ten can be arrested and held by police. The earlier children come into contact with the justice system the more likely it is they have ongoing contact. This contact is traumatic, and it doesn’t deliver safer communities.
Children do their best when they are supported, nurtured, and loved; when they can go to school, play with their friends and sleep in their own bed each night. Every child should have the chance to grow up safe and sound and learn from their mistakes.
For more information, visit Raise the Age NSW.
ACMF government submissions
As a social change agent committed to raising the bar on equity, we have been speaking to government both federally and at a state level about how music education is in crisis; with entrenched inequity and deep-rooted problems that require bi-partisan support and a whole-of-government approach. As well as meeting with individual ministers, advisors and department staff spanning Arts, Education, Youth, Youth Justice, Justice and Corrections, Social Services and Aboriginal Affairs we have recently made submissions and participated in in-person consultations and focus groups to the following:
- Development of National Cultural Policy
- Federal Review to Inform a Better and Fairer Education System
- Development of NSW Creative Communities Policy
- Development of WA 10-year Vision for Culture and the Arts in WA
- Federal Treasury pre-budget submission 24/25
