Enrolments are evaporating in performing arts study and the bad reviews are alarming academics.
QUT’s recent review of its programs was widely criticised, although proposals appear less about terminating than transforming content to meet market demand. For example, the review suggested the focus on live acting was not viable and the course should include, “all manners of screen acting” to be “more distinctive in the market and future-focused.”
As the review team put it, “whereas other universities have closed creative arts disciplines that make a loss, QUT aims to engage staff in creative problem-solving to ensure both fiscal accountability and high-quality programs.”
Apart, that is, from the seven degree courses it has cut since 2018, according to a casualty list maintained by the National Advocates for Arts Education. But QUT is far from alone with NAAE reporting 40 courses, majors and units dropped by universities across the country. National data shows “a steady decline in Creative Arts and Performing Arts,” QUT VC Margaret Sheil says.
This is widely attributed to the HECs students pay under the Coalition-created and Labor-continued Job Ready Graduates fee model. Performing arts students pay top whack – nearly $50,000 for a three-year degree.
But courses were being cancelled before JRG started in 2021 and the NAAE suggests the overall problem for creative arts education is “public policy continues to frame the arts as non-essential.” It calls on government to, “to secure the future of the arts in Australia through strong investment in arts education and training.”
Which Professor Sheil suggests QUT is trying to do itself, by, “continuing to produce a pipeline of future cultural leaders … and ensuring that Queensland’s creative talent can achieve tertiary qualifications here in their home state and make meaningful contributions to the arts industry.”