Dance program the biggest loser in QUT review
It started small but QUT has expanded a review of its creative and performing arts programs, with dance a major casualty.
Film is sexy, dance not so much, according to a review of QUT’s performing arts courses. Dance will continue to be taught as a minor subject but not as a major, which is ironic for an institution that produced Australia’s first professor of dance, Susan (‘Sur’) Street.
The university commissioned an independent review in February as part of its ongoing commitment to ensure courses address market needs, particularly in such a rapidly changing field.
QUT vice-chancellor Professor Margaret Sheil says the university welcomed the recommendations from the review and looked forward to working with staff, students and industry partners in managing the implementation.
“QUT has a long history of commitment to the performing arts and, as the university for the real world, we continue to work with industry to ensure our courses respond to current and future
workforce needs,” Prof Sheil says. “We commissioned this report from leading industry experts in order to ensure that we are upholding our commitment to deliver a performing arts program that produces a pipeline of future cultural leaders.
“The recommendations are a clear path forward as the university continues to evolve the QUT performing arts program in a way that not only preserves but elevates the long-standing influence
and distinctive identity we have in the field.
“As a result of implementing this review, QUT will align its priorities in this field to recognise the growth of Queensland’s film and screen industry, the exceptional entrepreneurial mindset of our
music creators and provide the scaffolding needed for the next generation of creative and cultural leaders.”
QUT has a long history of producing future leaders in the performing arts, and alumni include such household names as indie rock band Ball Park Music and actors Deborah Mailman and Gyton
Grantley.
QUT alumni dominated Queensland’s prestigious Matilda Awards this year, winning in more than half the categories and showcasing the university’s continuing excellence in performing arts education. QUT will take in the report’s recommendations and elevate the performing arts program as part of a commitment to help shape the Australian creative arts industry. The recommendations of the independent review include:
Acting: A focus on digital and screen spaces, particularly screen acting, will transform the course in a way that prioritises market distinction.
Drama: A broader scope to focus on creative production, cultural leadership and arts administration will recognise the maturity of the Queensland performing arts scene.
Music: The music program has been recognised as a successful model for positive differentiation, with strong enrolments and deep industry connections. An outlook to build on the program’s
strengths in anticipation of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games will offer exciting opportunities for students, researchers and industry partners.
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Dance: The review identified that expertise in the training of professional dance teachers was one of the areas of greatest concern for industry. QUT is one of the only providers of initial teacher
education for dance at a tertiary level in the country and the only one in Queensland. QUT will explore offering Dance Education as a university-wide minor. The dance major, which has had a steady decline in enrolments in the past five years, will no longer be offered as a major, going forward. There will be no changes for any students currently enrolled.
A QUT spokesperson says these recommendations are designed to leverage the strengths of QUT, expanding the curriculum and providing opportunities for more students across the university to
engage with the program. The review recommendations are, they say, focused on the future direction of curriculum and course structure to ensure the QUT Performing Arts program can continue to help shape the Australian arts scene for decades to come.
Critics say that a review of the 2025 dance undergraduate program quickly morphed into a wider review of all creative arts programs. Cutting the dance degree will mean students in Queensland will be forced to travel interstate or pay for training at expensive private studios, according to those unhappy about the outcomes of the review.
The much-loved QUT Art Museum has also been in the firing line with budget cuts causing the cancellation of the 2025 program of exhibitions. How it all shakes out will become clearer in the coming months.