Wellbeing, learning and arts participation in school communities 2006-08.

ArtStories research supports shared artmaking for learning and wellbeing in school communities; for students, families and staff.

This project has grown out of Anja Tait’s PhD research, which asks the question: How does arts-based teaching and learning impact on educational outcomes?

In five urban, rural and remote Top End school communities over three years ArtStories aims to impact upon


  • Partnership building
  • Wellbeing
  • Student learning outcomes
  • Arts learning for adults

ArtStories may include listening, singing, playing, dancing, composing, writing, drawing, painting, constructing and multimedia. School community members create and tell stories of self, family, community and dreams. Staff and family members are supported in their own arts learning to build capacity for ongoing artmaking in school communities.

Evaluation of the research includes standardised tests, interviews and discussion groups within the school community, student work samples, practitioner journals and the collection of video, audio and still photographs.