Weekly Web Roundup: Jan. 13-17, 2020

Friday, January 17, 2020

This week: We announced our 2020 Johnson Fellowship recipient, opened nominations for our Arts + Business Partnership Awards, discussed the importance of copyright for artists, and explored the connection between the arts and your health. Here's what else you may have missed!


Ms. Argy Nestor

Collaboration in the Classroom and Beyond

Posted by Ms. Argy Nestor, Jan 15, 2020


Ms. Argy Nestor

Recently I’ve been reflecting on my long career in education and am grateful for the many and varied opportunities. I’ve always been intrigued by collaboration in education, and if I had to select something that has the greatest influence on my work, intertwined with every job, it has been collaboration. About 10 years ago, I realized how much focus is put on collaboration and how little intentional action/planning/understanding is put into it. We expect adults and students to collaborate, but we don’t unpack that as a group or individually to make a greater impact on the success of the work. One guide for preparing students for the world is most often directed today by “the 4C’s” which includes critical thinking & problem solving, creativity and innovation, communication, and collaboration. I think it’s time to put some effort into unpacking collaboration before jumping into a partnership or expecting students to work in a group.

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Dr. David V. Mastran

The Arts Expand our World. So Why Define Arts Narrowly?

Posted by Dr. David V. Mastran, Jan 15, 2020


Dr. David V. Mastran

Let’s start with an irrefutable statement: The arts broaden our perspective and enhance the world around us. No one should disagree with that. Now for a simple follow-up question: If the arts—which include all of music, the visual arts, performing arts, and more—are so very broad and so very expansive, why do we insist on using restrictive labels to define them? The term “Fine Arts” is used across all educational levels to cover the spectrum of arts offerings. Fine Arts is a very narrow definition that is too restrictive. We should stop doing it. We should leave the term back in 2019. Our goal in the new decade, at least as it concerns our ability to appreciate the aesthetic, economic, educational, and human impact of the arts, should be to expand our view of the arts, not restrict it. The arts are limitless in their potential to reach, teach, motivate, and energize. Why put limits on something that is limitless?

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Vans Custom Culture returns for 11th year supporting high school art programs

Registration for the 2020 program is open through Friday, Jan. 31

Tuesday, January 14, 2020

High school art students are invited to participate in the eleventh year of Vans Custom Culture, a program that provides high school artists and students a platform to embrace and showcase their creative abilities and the chance to win a grand prize of $75,000 for their school’s art program.


Ms. Ann Marie Watson

The 10 (plus two!) most read ARTSblog posts of 2019

Posted by Ms. Ann Marie Watson, Jan 06, 2020


Ms. Ann Marie Watson

As we ring in 2020, it’s the perfect time for a little hindsight (get it?)—so let’s get the year started with a look back at the most-viewed ARTSblog posts from our last trip around the sun. I know what you’re thinking: “It’s 2020 … you still have a blog?” We do, dear reader! Competition for online attention is fierce, and most virtual conversations (civil or not) seem to be happening in the comments of social media posts—and yet, ARTSblog clearly is still a valued place for our field to share experience and expertise as we navigate the varied complexities of what it means to work in the arts. There is no better place to learn from your peers, whether you’re an artist, administrator, educator, city planner, arts marketer, or countless other careers that intersect with the arts—and we’re grateful for all of the writers and readers who continue to make ARTSblog both a vibrant and practical space.

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Mary Anne Carter

Getting to Know Mary Anne Carter: Q&A with NEA’s New Chairman

Posted by Mary Anne Carter, Dec 09, 2019


Mary Anne Carter

I’ve always been involved in public service, working alongside governors, senators, and other public leaders. My passion for the arts really derives from my daughter’s experiences. My daughter has dyslexia, and struggled when it came to traditional methods of teaching and learning. But she became a completely different student when arts were integrated into the classroom. She began to thrive instead of struggle. As a parent, there’s no greater gift than to see your child reach their full potential. As chairman, I hope to make sure all Americans have the same opportunities for success that my daughter has had. Our agency wants to ensure every American in every community in every state has the opportunity to participate in and benefit from the arts.

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Americans for the Arts Welcomes New and Re-Elected Advisory Council Members

Wednesday, December 18, 2019

AFTA
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Americans for the Arts today announced new and re-elected advisory council members for each of their four networks: Arts Education, Emerging Leaders, Private Sector, and Public Art Network. These individuals will advise Americans for the Arts’ staff on developing programs and services that will build a deeper connection to the field and the network membership.

Does band class really help develop your brain?

Monday, November 25, 2019

Photo of Dr. Kymberly M. Cruz
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Neuroscience has demonstrated that listening to or playing music has a real effect on brain waves and patterns. This is most directly applicable to music therapy, but what about music education? Current research implies that studying music can help children develop spatial reasoning and listening skills and improve their concentration, but more study is needed to fully understand this relationship.

As part of the National Arts Action Summit, Americans for the Arts, in collaboration with Arts Education Partnership, presents this annual event focused on federal, state, and local arts education policy.

The event will focus on building meaningful connections between arts education and two of the top trending education policy issue areas for 2020—workforce development and school climate. Meeting attendees will hear from thought leaders in education research and policy to gain new insights into the broader education landscape.
 
Following their remarks, a response panel of arts education leaders will join the discussion to make connections back to the arts and share how arts education can support broader education policy priorities. Through roundtable discussions and networking opportunities, attendees will be able to connect the conversation back to their communities and states.

SPEAKERS

Phyllis W. Jordan

 

Susan Bowles Therriault

Phyllis Jordan, Future Ed   Susan Bowles Therriault
     

Phyllis Jordan is the Editorial Director for FutureEd. FutureEd is an independent, solution-oriented think tank at Georgetown University's McCourt School of Public Policy. We are committed to bringing fresh energy to the causes of excellence, equity, and efficiency in K-12 and higher education on behalf of the nation's disadvantaged students. As a nonpartisan, public-facing organization, we work to produce clear, compelling analysis on key education issues for policymakers, practitioners, the media, and other key education change agents and influencers at the federal, state, and local levels—promoting smart policymaking in a complex and fast-changing educational landscape

 

Susan Bowles Therriault is the Managing Researcher and Practice Area Director for the American Institutes for Research (AIR). AIR research and evaluation experts study human performance and workforce development programs to determine the best methods to increase labor market opportunities. In partnership with government agencies, professional associations, and the private sector, our policy, practice, and systems change the AIR team is helping local, national, and international clients develop a workforce that is ready for the jobs of the 21st century. AIR draws on its decades of workforce research to improve lives and communities by preparing youth and adults to thrive in the 21st century global economy. AIR focuses on the full employment cycle in the U.S. and abroad, including workforce preparedness, recruitment, selection, performance management, training, and improving employment and life outcomes of people with disabilities. 

 

A Collaborative Event with Americans for the Arts and the Arts Education Partnership

UPDATE: As an ancillary event of the National Arts Action Summit, the Arts Education Policy Briefing, originally scheduled for March 29, is also cancelled out of an abundance of caution and to align with COVID-19 health recommendations and warnings issued by the Washington, D.C., government against mass gatherings in the city until March 31. We will currently planning a virtual Arts Education Policy Briefing, to be offered in the near future. Please check back in the coming days for more information.

Arts education teaches more than painting, music, dance

Monday, November 18, 2019

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For the past decade or so, there’s been a renewed emphasis on arts education. When many schools reduced or did away with extracurricular courses such as band, dance, and visual arts, one effect seen was students less engaged and less likely to hone skills such as critical thinking, collaboration and creativity.


Mr. Narric Rome

The Shooting Star of Arts Education Research

Posted by Mr. Narric Rome, Nov 12, 2019


Mr. Narric Rome

Yesterday, an Education Commission of the States staff member with the memorable name of Claus von Zastrow published a blog reporting the findings of an art education question included in the 2019 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) in Math. It’s a substantial discovery—akin to when new stars are detected in a constellation, or a new species of insect is identified. His blog post and the accompanying data tables are a must-read. Longtime Department of Education watchers know that since 1995, there have been just two kinds of arts education research by the federal government, and not one of these tests over 25 years has ever captured arts education data on a state-by-state basis. So when eagle-eyed Claus spotted in the Math NAEP released in October 2019, among the 40 multi-part questions asked of the eighth grade test takers, that Question #21 was about art education—he must have been floored. As I am. This question, put to the 147,000 students that were a part of the 2019 Math NAEP sample, must be the single largest arts education data point in the history of federal education research.

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When STEM Becomes STEAM, We Can Change The Game

Thursday, November 7, 2019

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Implicit bias and other structural impediments mean that we open fewer doors to girls, students of color and kids from low-income and rural communities. When they don’t engage deeply in STEM, we all lose. But the arts have always been a haven for the otherwise marginalized, and arts education connected to STEM can open many possible doors. 

ArtsEd Tennessee gaining influence with lawmakers

Advocacy advances through partnership with Americans for the Arts, the CMA Foundation, and ArtsEdTN

Friday, November 1, 2019

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ArtsEd Tennessee is three years into an effort to become a one-stop shop for lawmakers who need perspective on whether proposed bills may adversely impact arts education. This advocacy effort is advancing through a partnership with Americans for the Arts and the CMA Foundation.


Tessa Gaffney

Turning Your Community into a Classroom

Posted by Tessa Gaffney, Oct 31, 2019


Tessa Gaffney

Inspired by Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, a nationally recognized speaker and early childhood expert, Summit Education Initiative has started an Akron Play Book of its own. In collaboration with ArtsNow and The University of Akron’s EX[L] Center, SEI established an internship in which students were to design and implement simple, educational art installations that families with young children could interact with as they go about their daily activities. They would be installed in North Hill, a racially and ethnically diverse community, on September 8, 2019 during First Serve, an event that brings together over 800 individuals of different faiths and backgrounds to volunteer on service projects across the city alongside each other. Art doesn’t have to take place on a stage or in a gallery, with a clear boundary between art and audience. It can be an interruption from everyday life. It can instill lessons and develop skills. It can be a Laundromat theatre, or a grocery store card game, or even a bench.

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Patricia Nugent

From Passion to Business

Posted by Patricia Nugent, Oct 22, 2019


Patricia Nugent

In the past, we saw art as a passion—not a business. But today, with the popularity of online shopping sites like Etsy and the growing number of community arts and craft shows, more and more artists are creating a thriving business from their art. Couple that with more creative outlets for musicians and actors, and it’s no wonder why dynamic arts communities are scattered throughout the country with growing opportunities for artists to become entrepreneurs. To help support and guide artists in Akron, Ohio, Summit Artspace is helping these highly right-brained individuals with the business side of things. In fact, evolving with the needs of the artists, this nonprofit community art center organization is revamping its strategic plan and mission in 2020 to focus on connecting artists and artist-serving organizations to the community and to the resources they need to thrive professionally, creatively, and financially.

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Dearth of Milwaukee public school music programs disproportionately affects low-income, African American students

Thursday, October 17, 2019

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Music teachers in Milwaukee argue that music is a core subject on par with history and social studies, and that every student should have access to high-quality, sequential instruction — including the opportunity to read music and play an instrument — as part of a well-rounded education.

Art education programs slowly rebuild after schools’ budget crisis

Monday, October 21, 2019

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Though arts budgets in Philadelphia have not recovered to their pre-”doomsday levels,” every elementary and middle school in the city now has some amount of arts resources and schools with 300 students or less are given an extra $50,000 to help support the needs of their students, including arts related funding.

Arts Teachers Ask Legislature To Require Art Classes In Kentucky Schools

Monday, October 14, 2019

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State law currently only requires high schools to provide art classes — one credit — though many local school districts have arts requirements for elementary and middle schools. A group of arts educators called the Kentucky Coalition for Arts Education is pushing for the bill, called the Arts Education Equity Act, ahead of next year’s legislative session. A similar version of the bill was proposed but never received a hearing this year.


Laura Briedis Tomko

Children living in shelters find a caring, nurturing place at Magical Theatre Company

Posted by Laura Briedis Tomko, Oct 04, 2019


Laura Briedis Tomko

You never know when that “aha” moment might strike. For Magical Theatre Company in Barberton, Ohio, it happened 22 years ago when co-producing director Holly Barkdoll walked across the street prior to a performance to get change for the box office. Always inside the theater readying for performances, she never really saw the people coming to their shows, so she was surprised to find a line of people wrapped around the building. How wonderful, she thought, that the show was going to sell out. But then she realized that the line actually was going to the building next door—a local soup kitchen. At that moment, it struck her: while some families were waiting in line to see a play and be entertained, others were just trying to survive and find a meal. That moment inspired her and her husband, co-producing director Dennis O’Connell, to use their theater as an outreach to help disadvantaged children in Northeast Ohio.

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Randy Cohen

UPDATED! Top 10 Reasons to Support the Arts for National Arts & Humanities Month

Posted by Randy Cohen, Oct 02, 2019


Randy Cohen

October is National Arts & Humanities Month, a time to celebrate and champion the arts locally and nationally. The arts are fundamental to our humanity. They ennoble and inspire us—fostering creativity, goodness, and beauty. The arts bring us joy, help us express our values, and build bridges between cultures. The arts are also a fundamental component of a healthy community—strengthening them socially, educationally, and economically—benefits that persist even in difficult social and economic times. The effective arts advocate needs a full quiver of case-making arrows to articulate the value of the arts in as many ways as possible—from the passionately inherent to the functionally pragmatic. To help fill your quiver, I offer an updated Top 10 Reasons to Support the Arts.

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