Linking with Creative Arts Key Learning Area

The Creative Arts Key Learning Area provides a learning environment and curriculum which encourages understanding and appreciation of the physical environment (natural and built), and the socio-cultural environment.

In each of the artforms of dance, drama, music and visual arts students can:

• explore examples of works where the artist has used the natural or built environments as a source of ideas (eg. as a stimulus, a theme, a concept or an issue)
• explore examples of works that use or emphasise particular places and spaces (eg. site-specific works, installations)
• explore works where the audience interacts with the natural or built environment
• investigate works that provide an historic record of environments - past, present, derelict, degraded, ruined, regenerated, restored
• interpret and discuss works that communicate expressive qualities of the Australian landscape (eg. spaces, colours, flora and fauna)
• investigate natural or built environments that are significant to our cultural heritage
• investigate Indigenous works that establish a connection with place
• make works that use the natural or built environment as a source for ideas.

Site specific works are significant in contemporary practice. Artists such as Janet Laurence and Fiona Foley (Edge of Trees), Robert Smithson (Spiral Jetty) and Christo and Jeanne-Claude (Wrapped Coast) address issues related to the impact of human activity on specific environments. Natural environments have historically provided artists with subject matter. Artists such as Rover Thomas, Yan Hua, Tom Roberts and Bea Maddock, have responded to the land as a metaphor for personal and cultural expression.

Environmental education can be incorporated into Music within broader areas of study.

• Environmental issues are significant in rock music, popular music and folk music. For instance, bands such as Midnight Oil have placed a significant emphasis on environmental issues in their songs.
• The environment has provided inspiration for composers throughout time. Famous examples include Beethoven's "Pastoral Symphony" and "La Mer" by Debussy.
• Contemporary composers continue to use aspects of the environment as an inspiration for their works. Recent Australian works include "Kakadu", "Mangrove" and "Red Earth" by Peter Sculthorpe. More examples of linking Creative Arts outcomes to the objectives of environmental education will be found in the document supporting the Environmental Education Policy for Schools.