Page 13 - The Song Room 2021 Year in Review

OUR PROGRAMS
“Dolly Parton once said that ‘storms make trees take deeper roots’ and that is how 2021 felt. The conditions were stormy and unrelenting, but in many ways, this strengthened our purpose, our operations and our relationships and
we are more robust, future-proof and resilient as a result.”
ELISE HOPKINS, DIRECTOR, ARTS LEARNING
The second year of the pandemic provided a catalyst to courageously shift rhythms to deal with varying circumstances around the country.
In 2020, we supported schools through short and long term disruptions, in 2021 we supported schools in and out of continuous disruption and ongoing challenges that were unique to each state and region. As a national organisation this called on our skill and enterprise, while drawing on our deep commitment for educational change.
We understood the enormous need to support school communities at this time. Sporadic outbreaks of COVID variants closed schools. Regulations impacted livelihoods. Students’ wellbeing plummeted. The pressure to navigate a changing and unsettling world was felt across the country.
Teaching Artists continued to inspire and connect students to their learning in our in-class programs despite the challenges. Working as a tight ensemble, our team was poised to do what was required to provide seamless delivery. Working across hybrid learning environments they impacted learning outcomes, supported social and emotional learning, and brought together school communities through the arts.
Our effort to provide continuous learning and support to each and every school that we partnered with paid off. Program numbers grew by 35% in 2021, with
77 Teaching Artists supporting over 600 teachers and providing high quality arts education in-class programs and workshops to over 14,000 students.
The Song Room: 2021 Year in Review 13