Every year, more than 10,000 Australian students step onto professional stages to tell stories that matter to them. They blend dance, drama and narrative into three to seven-minute performances that reveal their creativity, concerns and hopes. This is Wakakirri, Australia’s largest performing arts event for schools. The festival operates on a simple premise: great stories inspire change. Students work in teams to develop original Story-Dances, perform them in professional theatres during Term 3 and compete for national recognition judged by industry professionals. What makes this significant extends beyond the stage. The festival addresses a critical need in Australian education at a time when arts programs face unprecedented pressure.
The Evidence Behind Creative Expression
Research confirms what teachers observe in rehearsal rooms. Students involved in performing arts achieve higher test scores and exhibit lower rates of truancy. Schools with music programs report attendance rates of 93.3% compared to 84.9% in schools without them. The benefits reach beyond academic metrics. Performing arts contribute to psychological well-being by fostering self-esteem and social skills. Students develop transferable abilities through storytelling, movement and performance that link classroom learning with real-world expression.
Teachers report transformations in students who initially hesitated to participate. Very shy students unsure about being on stage build confidence to the point where they relish the opportunity. Working in groups strengthens communication, cooperation and problem-solving. Planning and developing a story encourages reflection, decision-making and evaluation. One participating school achieved the highest attendance rate in their network after introducing Wakakirri, demonstrating how creative programs keep students engaged and excited about school.
Recognition and National Reach
Wakakirri has earned the Australian Performing Arts Teachers Association Award for Excellence in Performing Arts Education. This recognition validates the festival’s commitment to nurturing creativity and artistic development across the country. Since 1992, the festival has grown to attract approximately 30,000 audience members annually across professional theatres nationwide.
Schools choose their own themes and stories, allowing students to explore topics that resonate with their communities and interests. The program aligns with the Australian curriculum while offering rich opportunities for creative learning. Students explore ideas and communicate them through movement and narrative. The festival is designed to be inclusive and accessible for all students, regardless of ability or confidence, with no prior dance or performance experience required.
The Broader Context for Arts Education
Wakakirri’s success stands in stark contrast to troubling trends in Australian arts education. Between 2018 and 2025, 40 creative arts courses were discontinued by Australian universities. Arts education and training face what researchers describe as a “polycrisis,” with declining school enrolments and reduced university offerings. The disconnect between public support and policy investment is striking. While 97% of Australians engage with the arts and 74% agree that arts should be an important part of education, Australia continues to see decreased provision of arts education.
The cultural and creative sector employs more people than mining and contributes $67.4 billion to the economy, 2.5 percent of GDP. Yet while STEM education has attracted more than $75 million in federal investment over five years, in-school arts initiatives received just $2.6 million over the same period. This funding disparity undermines what research demonstrates: a growing body of international and Australian evidence shows that school-based arts participation increases learners’ confidence and motivation, improving school attendance rates, academic outcomes and the well-being and life skills of children and young people.
Looking Forward
Programs like Wakakirri offer a practical model for integrating creative expression into school life. The festival demonstrates that arts education produces measurable benefits for student engagement, well-being and skill development.
For educators and school leaders, participation in Wakakirri represents more than an extracurricular activity. It provides a structured pathway for students to develop essential capabilities while experiencing the confidence that comes from creating and performing original work. The challenge for policy-makers is clear. If Australia values the documented benefits of arts education (improved attendance, enhanced well-being, stronger academic outcomes) then investment must reflect that priority. Wakakirri shows what becomes possible when schools commit to creative programs. Students find their voices, build connections and discover capabilities they did not know they possessed. That transformation deserves support that matches its impact.
