There is a lot of talk these days about advocacy and how it is or isn’t a part of our daily work in arts education. In talking with some arts educators who are veteran teachers this summer they told me that most people in their age bracket (50+) are offended by the idea of advocating for the educational opportunities that their students deserve as part of a complete education.
One music teacher said, “I’m old school. You teach what kids need to learn and you should not spend time writing letters to policy makers, pleading your case in front of the school board, or parading your kids down the street at levy time.”
Yet, I find myself defending the idea of communication and information sharing (advocacy) with policy makers and the public because even the strongest arts education programs face scrutiny during tough budget times, when the curriculum is reviewed and updated, and when policies are changed or implemented at the local, state, and federal levels.
Now, more than ever, the challenges that arts education faces must be met head-on by advocates who must work to promote the value of arts learning as part of a complete education. Remember, you’re never too old or young to be an advocate!
My colleagues and I worked with the Kennedy Center Alliance for Arts Education Network to develop an Arts Education Advocacy Tool Kit which addresses the habits of effective arts education advocacy, coalitions and networking, and creating an effective arts education advocacy plan. The Tool Kit also contains an appendix of resources and samples. Download the Tool Kit and companion video.
Advocacy is central to our efforts to maintain, retain, and increase arts learning opportunities for our children … what role will you play in supporting arts education?
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I just went to the Kennedy Center website and downloaded the toolkit. It’s fab. I’m going to help my board better understand advocacy for arts ed using it. Love it. Love it. Love it.
Donna – I completely agree! Art is essential to the growth and learning of all children. But we can no longer sit back and expect that everyone understands that. In California, we currently have an entire generation of teachers in the public school system who grew up with no arts education in schools. They aren’t comfortable bringing the arts into their classroom, and many aren’t sure why they should. It is our job to make the case for art in education. Particularly in this tough economic climate, Performing Arts Workshop’s staff are increasingly pulled into the advocacy arena – with our local school board and arts commission, as well as with our state alliance for arts education. How do we build a nationwide movement, so that smaller efforts to save a job here and a line item there in one state can be combined with nationwide efforts to strengthen the role of the arts in ALL schools for ALL kids?
As arts educators we have to constantly be advocates for our programs. I am in the 50 (+) group and can tell you that I have worked with teachers all over the country to try to save orchestra programs. The teachers with the attitudes that Donna refers to are the teachers that do not save their programs. The KC document lays out the necessary steps and if teachers would only take the time to look at these – they would help themselves and their students tremendously. These things work! Getting teachers to buy in is unfortunately the hard part.
I am an elementary art teacher and the high school teachers will not take the time to meet with us to talk about advocacy for our district.
i believe it must be from the top down. Art teachers are not considered teachers but babysitters for classroom teachers when they have planning time.
Thoughtful administrators, professionals such as designers (design shows are big entertainment) colleges of art need to start promoting arts educations such as the save the music program.\\\
If you are wondering why the arts continue to be stripped from schools, it’s because of that very attitude that arts supporters should not be arts advocates. If parents rose up and demanded that their kids be supplied with a complete arts education, they would win.
Teachers are some of the most important advocates! Anyone who works day in and day out with students of all ability levels knows there is a need to reach them and provide a way to success. It’s why they are (or should be) there. While I know some educators are timid to try something new, something outside their comfort zone – whether it be the arts or advocacy – they are the ones who can make, and always have made, a difference. It’s not just a top-down/bottom-up argument, it’s everyone’s place to stand up for what they know will make have a positive impact. Teachers need to ask administrators for support (time/space/resources) and administrators need to find creative ways to allow their educators to find a means to the end (attendance/testing/graduation). Everyone needs to play a part in spreading the word about what works!
As a former teacher and presently an advocate for Arts & Education, it has been amazing to see how a little information can go such a long way! In Dallas I have been an advocate for Big Thought, a nonprofit that is focused on improving public education through creative learning. It has been amazing to see a community come together and work towards this effort! People are always looking for solutions when it comes to their children and their community – what better way to educate and communicate what a difference the Arts can make in the life of a child and community! We have seen lives change. The school administrators, council delegates and community leaders can’t help but to stop and take notice or at least listen to you when they are able to witness confidence, creativity, and imagination from the results of a young mind. Over the years our communities have changed. We now have to provide vehicles for children to tune in to their creative side, and this will take each of us becoming an advocate in some small way. Our children need our voice!
Thank you!!! (you just answered a question I left elsewhere: “Who’s gonna teach me how to be an advocate?”)