THE ACT Government has signed a three year, $1.6 million deal with the Australian National University’s Community Outreach Program for the arts. 

The new Program will see additional resources put into the music in schools programs delivered through the Community Outreach Program, with a focus on increasing participation. Funding for the Music Education program will increase from $278,000 a year to $400,000.

ACT Arts Minister Joy Burch said the ANU School of Music, ANU School of Art, artsACT and Education and Training Directorate have been working in partnership over the last few months to review its current programs offered through the ANU Community Outreach Program, and have revised the program to better align it with the ACT Arts Policy Framework which was released last year.

“The ACT Government has always had a productive and mutually beneficial relationship with the ANU School of Music and ANU School of Art, and it is anticipated that the revised program will increase community participation levels, arts activity and professional development opportunities,” Ms Burch says.

The program currently reaches 6,000 students, 120 teachers and 28 schools and it is anticipated that increased funding to this program will boost participation numbers to approximately 10,000 students across ACT schools.

Ms Burch said the successful Music Development program, which provides ensemble rehearsal and performance opportunities (formerly named the Music for Secondary School program), will be retained and will expand its outreach to students of all ages.