A new article in The Monthly by Professor Julian Meyrick charts the problems being experienced in Australian university performing arts today. Professor Meyrick called on the DDCA and ACUADS to focus on the issues at the upcoming joint Forum:
“This article discusses the grim fate of Australian university drama departments as a proxy for what is happening to many creative arts programs at the current time. It lists the numerous drama departments that have been adversely affected by cuts to the sector in 2020-21, and identifies some of the chronic issues facing the creative arts in the modern corporatized education environment. These issues must be confronted directly, and I call upon the DDCA and ACUADS to lead an inquiry into the state of all creative arts programs nationwide. The creative arts make a highly particular and valuable contribution to the life of the Australian community. I describe this and show why it is important to safeguard their teaching now and into the future.”
The article is available at: https://www.themonthly.com.au/issue/2021/october/1633010400/julian-meyrick/drama-hell#mtr