Outrage as ANU announces cuts to School of Music

As ANU signals changes to its School of Music, national arts education leaders warn of long-term damage to the sector.
Protestors gather outside ANU.

The Australian National University (ANU) is under increasing scrutiny following proposed changes to its School of Music. The restructuring, understood to involve significant staff reductions and a narrowed curriculum, has drawn sharp criticism from the National Advocates for Arts Education (NAAE), who warn the move could undermine decades of national leadership in music education.

One-on-one music lessons have reportedly already been cut, along with the de-establishment of the entire School of Music. The latest round of cuts includes the removal of 59 positions in research and innovation across several colleges. The School of Music, School of Art and Design and Centre for Museum and Heritage Studies will merge into a single school. It is part of a larger Renew ANU plan that has wide-ranging cuts and reductions.

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David Burton is a writer from Meanjin, Brisbane. David also works as a playwright, director and author. He is the playwright of over 30 professionally produced plays. He holds a Doctorate in the Creative Industries.