The Joint Select Committee on Arts and Music Education and Training in New South Wales report has been released.

Among its 11 key findings are: that creative arts are undervalued in education, leading to broader and systemic neglect in investment; that formal pathways for tertiary arts and music education and training in NSW are diminishing, and that economic, geographic, cultural and social barriers continue to hamper equal access to quality arts and music education for students and prospective teachers.

In her introduction to the report, Committee Chair and State Labor MP Julia Flynn noted that the focus on STEM subjects and standardised testing such as NAPLAN has contributed to an undervaluing of arts and music generally and has, in turn, led to a broad and systemic neglect in investment.

Despite an acute skills shortage in creative industries, training pathways for those wanting to pursue their passion for arts and music are also beset a mindset among many parents – encouraged by recent Federal government initiatives – that arts and music subjects count for less in the employment market and for university entrance.

The report, published on 12 December, calls...