Modeling of democratic values and principles in the schools has gone off course, but it is not too late to change direction.
By Merryl Goldberg, Ed.D., Professor of Visual and Performing Arts, California State University San Marcos
If you put a musician in a place where he has to do something different from what he does all the time, then he can do that—but he’s got to think differently in order to do it. He has to use his imagination, be more creative, more innovative; he’s got to take risks….I’ve always told the musicians in my band to play what they know and then play above that. Because then anything can happen, and that’s where the great art and music happens.
- Miles Davis, Reading Jazz: A gathering of autobiography, reportage, and criticism from 1919 to now
Arts Education is, technically, core to the school curriculum according to federal mandates and certain state mandates. However, it is rarely made accessible to all students despite earnest advocating on the part of dedicated organizations and individuals. Advocates in the arts have developed many compelling arguments defending art’s value within schools. Many of these advocacy efforts focus on art’s impact on “soft skills” such as: children’s self esteem, ability to care, and insight into cultures and ways of communication across cultures. Other efforts focus on art’s more quantifiable impact, such as test scores or better daily attendance. While these efforts have merit they just haven’t made a true impact in terms of changing school policy toward the arts. I suggest a different tact.
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Tagged with: AdvocacyArts-EducationPolicyResearch
March 25th, 2008 at 02:38pm
John Abodeely
The Leadership Track at the Annual Convention is about vision and inspiring others to think and work differently. Examples of leadership can be seen in every session at convention, but in the Leadership Track it is on stage and under the spotlight. Come learn how to lead by cultivating the best in oneself and in others, and how to lead an organization through a new initiative or institutional challenge.
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Tagged with: AdvocacyEvents
March 24th, 2008 at 12:59pm
Rebecca Borden
Do you have a new program to get up and running but haven’t had the time to start? Or perhaps you just need an extra hand during those busy summer months? Now is the time to begin advertising for a summer intern, because college students are looking right now for a life-changing summer internship to help build their resume before they graduate.
Why post on Americans for the Arts Job Bank? Many qualified students want to try out a new city or job role for the summer, and this is a perfect way for them to find you. Plus, our site has high visibility and offers:
- nearly 2,100 registered job seekers across all 50 states
- more than 1,400 searchable resumes
- more than 300 average views per job
This is a win-win situation for you and your future intern. Plus, all internship postings are free in our Job Bank.
If you have paid positions open at your organization, use BLOG0308* to receive 10% off a 30 day job advertisement during the month of March, just for reading our blog! Remember, you can always e-mail JobBank@artsusa.org or call 888.491.8833, x1591 with questions or for technical assistance.
*Special offer valid through March 31, 2008.
Tagged with: About-UsArts-EducationLeadershipMembershipVolunteerism
March 13th, 2008 at 04:49pm
Nora Koerner
Ever wonder where you can find the latest grant opportunties? Or legislative news affecting you? Or what your peers around the country are up to? It’s all in one place: The Monthly Wire. But you must be a member of Americans for the Arts to get it. All members, and all staff at member organizations, can receive The Monthly Wire, an e-newsletter that pops into inboxes the third Friday of each month.
If you aren’t getting The Monthly Wire, but think you can’t go another month without it, contact our membership staff to get signed up.
With its helpful information on news and events going on around the country, inspiring stories about your fellow members, and quick tips on awards, funding, and leadership opportuntities, you’ll wonder how you ever went a month without The Monthly Wire.
Tagged with: Membership
March 5th, 2008 at 11:27am
Katherine Copeland
“Without research, you’re just another person with an opinion.” –Ken Robinson
Evaluation is instrumental in developing and sustaining good work. Directors of social service organizations must demonstrate their impact in order to sustain funding; program directors must constantly improve their services in order to maintain integrity; funders must show the impact of their granting design to satisfy the scrutiny of their boards and benefactors. For a long time, program effectiveness was communicated through sentimental anecdotes. These stories, while important in our hearts, cannot stand alone when one asks, “Why this program?” It is not sufficient to assume that an inspiring story about one child can be extrapolated to others. Nor do these stories guide us in program development and improvement.
Americans for the Arts now offers funders and arts education providers the opportunity to improve the quality of evaluations they read or produce. We’re offering a floating graduate-style course, replete with one-on-one coaching, and a curriculum designed specifically to fit into the overtaxed schedules nonprofit leaders. Learners demonstrate quality and impact. Arts education providers develop acumen and expertise, which will result in a higher capacity in identifying and reporting impact.
This course is available to bring to your community, to your grantees, or to your schools. It is made to travel, relying in part on in-person training, part on web-based learning, and part on one-on-one coaching. A starter course is available at our Annual Convention, one day prior to the larger program, on June 19.
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Tagged with: Arts-Education
March 4th, 2008 at 03:17pm
John Abodeely
