A Vision for Arts Education in Nevada. CREATE. INNOVATE. INTEGRATE. Whole Child. Whole Community. Whole State.

Transcription

1 A Vision for Arts Education in Nevada CREATE. INNOVATE. INTEGRATE. Whole Child. Whole Community. Whole State. NEVADA ARTS AND EDUCATION CONVENING, MARCH 2010

2 CREATE. INNOVATE. INTEGRATE. Whole Child, Whole Community, Whole State At the Nevada Arts and Learning Convening, a two-day component of the Nevada Arts Council s OASIS 2010 Conference in Las Vegas, 30 leaders in Nevada s arts and education fields discussed new strategies and policies for arts learning with David O Fallon, CEO of the MacPhail Center for Music in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Addressing the many challenges facing Nevada, and to envision the building blocks necessary to build a statewide action plan, were participants that represented K-12, higher education, arts organizations with integrated arts learning programs, education consultants, nonprofit organizations and teaching artists. This report summarizes the very rich and robust conversation from the convening. A number of the goals and action steps will inform the Nevada Arts Council s (NAC) strategic planning process and assist the agency as it develops strategies to insure that arts programming is an integral part of each student s education no matter how young or old. Expanding the role of arts education in public schools was a major concern at the NAC s recent Community Conversations held throughout the state, and it received the second highest rating of any issue in NAC s latest public survey. Today s students are tomorrow s community leaders and patrons, and for this reason arts education plays a most critical role in both the cultivation of the economic development and future of our state, and an educated and culturally enlightened next generation. The need for arts education experiences along the lifelong-learning continuum was also expressed as a strategy for building audiences, developing workforce capacity, and increasing continued support for the arts. Toward this end, we held the Arts and Learning Convening as the first step in developing a statewide network to animate the conversations, collaborations and advocacy necessary for the advancement of arts education policies at the local and state levels. Though a priority initiative, we realize that this is a complex and time-intensive project in the best of times. Engaging members of the convening, we will work collaboratively to accomplish the goals and strategic actions identified in the Nevada Arts Council s Values and Visions Strategic Plan working together for a Nevada rich in art. Rachel Hartsough is an arts education specialist, presently working and living in Davis, CA. Hartsough worked most recently as the Curator of Education at the Nevada Museum of Art in Reno. She has taught Visual Arts and Digital Media to children and adults for more than 15 years. Hartsough served as a member of the Nevada Academic Standards Development Team, writing the state s Visual Arts Standards for grades K-12.

3 PROCESS: Authentic Inquiry and Action The Nevada Arts and Learning Convening was designed to identify connections between the arts and learning sectors, to reach and engage young people in- and outof-school, and to build stronger communities. Facilitator O Fallon started the discussion by asking each participant to talk about the specific challenges facing their institution or community. Using the Authenticity Action Wheel paradigm, the group then collectively analyzed the issues presented, and determined where and how effective action could be implemented. Participants in the Arts & Learning Convening sessions were coached in the development of: The qualities of authentic leadership. A new tool for diagnosing complex situations Authenticity Action Wheel. A clearer understanding of their own purposes and goals. A shared understanding of which approaches and strategies would be most effective in the development of a statewide plan with action steps and a timeline, and a structure/process for acting on the plan. The creation of a statewide message to support and engage local voices as change agents. Challenges and Opportunities It was clear that the issues raised in the Nevada Arts and Learning Convening will require a commitment to engage stakeholders statewide in an ongoing dialogue, while broadening the reach and depth beyond what coalesced at this first convening. We are a large state the seventh in the nation geographically with dozens of very small communities isolated within the basin and range landscape and with two major urban centers situated eight hours apart from one another. Discussions and early planning will require a localized effort, but the coordination and eventual realization of this, or any educational reform blueprint must be realized together. The following issues were raised as points for future discussion and development: How can we use social media technology to effectively promote our programs and messages? How can we more effectively support the arts in rural communities and geographically isolated areas? How do we create better opportunities for arts learning? What is the one thing that Nevada wants to be known for? How can we use the arts to promote social change? Can we move out of a crisis mode and focus more on the final result? Do current grants programs need to be modified to better support our goals? How can we help parents to understand what we do and empower them to support our work? We Can t Do It Alone A significant outcome of the meeting was the realization that success cannot be achieved in isolation. Shared values and the commitment to collaboration and ongoing communication are clearly important to NAC and to those who participated in the arts learning convening. Toward that end, here are a few of the issues that were identified: Arts and Arts Education needs and deserves a higher profile across the state. Models and strategies must be identified and shared for implementation at the local level to build capacity and support. Professional development is fragmented. We need to create a statewide plan for implementing strong preservice and professional development opportunities for teachers and teaching artists in arts learning. Centralized resources are critical. The Arts4Nevada.org statewide calendar must be better publicized, used by those in the arts/arts education fields, and promoted by all our partners. More virtual and in-person convenings and networking opportunities must continue so that we can share our ideas, dreams, goals, strategies, and solutions. How do we create sustainable programs for children? Can effective collaborations occur between Nevada s northern and southern regions? process

4 CRAFTING A NETWORK OF PURPOSE & SUPPORT Collaborations and Leadership Participants discussed the need to focus on substantive communications between the arts and education fields to better understand the work of each field, reveal both obvious and less-evident intersections, and develop a shared vision based on shared values. This would require involvement of educators, arts administrators and parents. Coordinating efforts would reduce duplication of services, reach more people, leverage resources, create stronger programs, fill in the gaps and, most importantly, expand public support and generate new collaborations with local businesses, major industries and other nonprofit sectors, including the health and human services. Persuasive leadership is key to the success of any initiative. The strongest leaders are those most committed to the outcome those with expertise, passion and experience. The challenge is to engage teachers, principals, arts administrators, business leaders, parents, elected officials, and community activists the Nevadans who will nurture partnerships, develop systems and advocate for educational policies and models that promote learning in and through the arts for all Nevada s students. Rather than starting at ground zero, it makes the most sense to reinvigorate our existing alliance, the Nevada Alliance for Arts Education (NAAE), and strengthen its ability to build trust, foster collaborations and provide much needed leadership on a statewide level. The process of recharging NAAE, through the engagement of a broad spectrum of leaders, will lead to the creation of our much needed unified voice for arts education in Nevada. Convening Goals A strong statewide network of partners who collectively support advocacy efforts for arts learning. A consistent and unified set of public advocacy messages that are shared by all members of the arts learning community. A Nevada Alliance for Arts Education that is a rich resource that Nevada citizens know about and turn to for useful resources and support. A strong relationship and alliance with state legislators. Strategies for the Nevada Arts Council Continue convenings to support a network with the mission to strengthen and support arts learning on a statewide level. Provide coaching, nurturing, and continued learning opportunities for network members. Partner in the extension of current arts education advocacy efforts in an effort to centralize information and messaging. Nurture new leadership among state, school, community and business sectors to invest in arts learning. This leadership must be prepared to generate and support new ideas and mentor foundling institutions. Develop and collect anecdotal and research-based documentation on the value of arts learning for advocacy, funding and program development. Nurture more community-building partnerships between local arts providers, educational institutions, local businesses and other nonprofit organizations. Create a strong campaign for The Nevada Rich in Arts License Plate increasing awareness and raising funds in support of arts education. collaborations

5 CRAFTING A NETWORK OF PURPOSE & SUPPORT CONTINUED Experiences Participants shared the belief that the arts are basic to the educational experience for preschool through college-aged students as well as lifelong learning for adults. With the arts as both core academic subjects, and content integrated across the curriculum, students of all ages may develop essential life skills and problem solving abilities that prepare them to succeed in our global, technology-based society. We often claim that the arts support the development of 21st century thinking skills such as creativity and innovation, but it is so much more than that. In Robert Root-Bernstein s work, Arts Foster Scientific Success, he illustrates how engagement in arts was an effective predictor of future innovation for Nobel laureates, and discusses the tools for thinking (empathizing, pattern recognition, and synthesizing) that enable scientists to have innovative breakthroughs. The convening group supported expanding the availability of formal and informal arts education experiences with a focus on pre K 12, as well as addressing lifelong learning. All statewide and local arts education programs should commit to providing equal access to arts education for all Nevadans and to the education of the whole child, whole community and whole state through the arts. Strategies for the Nevada Arts Council Strengthen relationships with the Department of Education, school districts, community education programs, and higher education system; acting as the content providers on arts education issues, and partnering to implement new or improved arts education programming and strategy. Provide support for formal and informal arts learning programs/projects by artists or arts organizations to reach new communities and new populations. Encourage coalitions of school districts, cultural organizations, and businesses to expand in- and afterschool arts education opportunities. Deepen the learning experience by increasing artist residencies and promoting the rich cultural heritage of our state. Connect NAC programs and initiatives with arts learning efforts in formal education settings and local and regional communities. Advocate for increased Arts Integration at the local/ regional level. (The Washoe County School District received a federal grant to implement an arts infusion program in elementary schools and Clark County is working with the Kennedy Center on the Any Given Child Initiative) Convening Goals Increase high quality opportunities for arts learning in both formal and informal settings and in-school and after-school programming, including distance learning. Increase accessibility to a variety of arts education disciplines and experiences for learners of all ages, abilities, and geographic locations. Expand the number of statewide organizations that address the needs of our state s growing population of mature and lifelong learners. A state-endorsed, integrated curriculum, which includes the arts. experiences

6 CRAFTING A NETWORK OF PURPOSE & SUPPORT CONTINUED Training Participants discussed the need to foster imagination, creativity and innovation and to learn from each other. They also recognized the fact that learning occurs 24/7. To address these needs and observations we must look at developing professional development opportunities for teachers, teaching artists and other educators to provide quality arts education experiences for all. It is also important to explore learning using digital tools to create and provide statewide access. Convening Goals All primary and secondary students should receive arts instruction from teachers who have received adequate training, and are confident in their ability to teach art. Practicing artists have the skills and confidence to share their disciplines with students of all ages. Parents have access to resources that enable them to support the arts learning that takes place in their children s formal and informal educational experiences. Non-arts related community organizations and NPOs understand how to incorporate arts learning experiences into their public programs and services. Strategies for Nevada Arts Council Support new and existing training for educators and artist-educators with Nevada Alliance for Arts Education and other professional organizations. Collaborate with the University of Nevada to make sure that high quality pre-service learning opportunities are available, and are a mandatory part of all teacher credential programs. Support the creation of local/regional continuing professional development opportunities for teachers and artists. Provide funding and other resources for regional and local organizations that provide Teaching Artist workshops; ensuring that practicing artists have the skills and support that they need to be able to address the needs of their students. Develop Arts Integration workshops for school administrators, teachers, teaching artists, and parents; including members of private learning institutions and home-schooled families. Strengthen arts organizations as providers of education and professional development. Create training for non-arts based organizations and personnel so that they are able to integrate the arts where appropriate into their programs and resources. training

7 CONCLUSION Arts Learning A Key Element to the Sustainability of Arts Organizations and to Advance Arts Education What is the role of an arts organization in today s society? As a group, the Arts and Learning Convening tackled this question head-on, challenging the traditional notion of the arts organization as a limited- or single-service provider. In the current societal matrix of today s communities, arts organizations must: (1) provide more depth of opportunity for learning about and through the arts, (2) advocate for the arts, and (3) revisit their mission in light of today s education system, current economic status, and ever-changing community demographics. As school budgets are further slashed, and families disposable incomes are diminished, it is incumbent that the arts community connect with the education community, and that we share a commitment to develop a statewide dialogue together. We must provide leadership and share responsibility for the education of the whole child, provide high quality programs and services for all ages and abilities and develop the necessary infrastructure, resources and policies, thereby strengthening communities throughout Nevada. As part of the convening process, we looked to national and regional models with solid and inspiring strategies, such as Oklahoma, whose core message is Imagination is the essential natural resource which transforms lives and enriches communities, and directs its aim at the core of workforce education, community culture, commerce, and lifelong learning. Looking Towards the Future Nevada State Education and Common Core Standards After the convening, Nevada joined a nationwide effort to adopt common core standards. This new set of academic state standards, adopted in 2010, and transitioning into use from , is designed to address 21st century learning skills, providing for each child in Nevada to gain academic achievement. The common core standards will ensure all Nevada students are college and career ready using research-based and globally-benchmarked standards, and that their learning experiences address Depth of Knowledge, now fully embedded in the Nevada State assessments and in classroom instruction. It has become clear that we need to push for the education of the whole child and not advocate merely for the arts, as we then run the risk of alienating supporters of individual disciplines such as math or science. NAC programs and initiatives in Arts Education support the state s adoption of the Nevada Common Core Standards. When relevant and appropriate, NAC Arts Education programs will integrate and support common core standards, and help teachers and members of the learning community to understand how this integrated curriculum provides rich opportunities for student learning while continuing the emphasis on Depth of Knowledge in assessment and instruction. conclusion

8 ARTS EDUCATION RESOURCES Referenced in this Document Terry, Robert. Authentic Leadership: Courage in Action. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Print. Root-Bernstein PhD, R. (2008). Arts Foster Scientific Success: Avocations of Nobel, National Academy, Royal Society, and Sigma Xi Members. Journal of Psychology and Technology, Vol1 Number 2, National Resources The National Arts Policy Database The National Arts Policy Database is a tool that enables users to access current information on a multitude of topics related to arts policy. Records in the database are classified into four types: research abstracts, news articles, program profiles, and sample documents. The database is updated weekly and contains over 8,000 records providing arts policy researchers, advocates, and administrators with comprehensive information on arts policy and practice. napd/default.asp Kennedy Center Arts Education Leadership Kit The Kennedy Center Arts Education Leadership Kit provides a framework for supporting the arts education leadership development needs of cultural organizations, school district leaders, teaching artists, arts management students, and other individuals interested in their own continued professional development. resources/lead05smallkit.pdf The Arts Education Partnership The Arts Education Partnership provides information and communication about current and emerging arts education policies, issues, and activities at the national, state, and local levels. Los Angeles County Arts For All A collaborative community based program emphasizing the building of infrastructure in the county s school districts to support comprehensive, standards based, sequential arts education offered within the school day. The Qualities of Quality: Understanding Excellence in Arts Education This report addresses the multiple challenges of achieving and sustaining quality in arts education, across major as well as emerging art forms in rural, urban, and suburban settings. arts-education/ Revitalizing Arts Education Through Community-Wide Coordination In this Wallace-commissioned study, RAND researchers describe initiatives in six cities to reverse a long decline in arts education by coordinating the work of city agencies, arts institutions, schools and others. arts-education. Arts Education Research Americans for the Arts: Arts Research advocacy_004.asp Foundation Center: PubHub National Endowment for the Arts National Guild for Community Arts Education Founded in 1937, the National Guild for Community Arts Education supports and advances access to lifelong learning opportunities in the arts. We foster the creation and development of community arts education organizations by providing research and information resources, professional development, networking opportunities and funding, and by advocating on behalf of the field. resources

9 ARTS ARTS EDUCATION RESOURCES CONTINUED Nevada Arts Council Resources Arts Education Project Grants: Annual competitive grants that support imaginative arts education projects and artist residencies by schools, public institutions, nonarts nonprofit organization, and arts/cultural organizations not receiving a Development or Partners in Excellence (PIE) Grant. The Arts Education Project Grant application requires a focus on the educating process and the use of a teaching artist. Arts Education Component: Add-on funding opportunity for nonprofit arts organizations receiving Development or Partners in Excellence Grants to support substantive integrated arts education programs. Better Education through the Arts (BETA) Grants: Quarterly competitive grants for individuals, schools and nonprofit organizations whose work involves the planning, implementation, and/or evaluation of arts education programs. Professional Development Grants: Noncompetitive grants, available throughout the year, for teaching artists and educators that support attendance at conferences, workshops and seminars in- and out-of-state. Tumblewords Program: Grants are available to support community residencies that include readings, workshops and other public activities presented by professional writers of all genres. Applicants may use published writers of their choosing or one from the Tumblewords Roster, which features poets, fiction and nonfiction writers who have received NAC Artist Fellowships. An Evaluation Resource Guide for Arts Programming: A guide for anyone required to produce a final report or evaluation. This resource covers the basic concepts of the evaluation process, its links to planning, budgeting and strengthening organizational capacity. Bringing the Arts to Life, Bringing Life to the Arts: An introduction to the artist residency the value of having artists provide hands-on experiences, how a residency works, and the steps necessary to design and implement a successful artist residency in a school or community setting. The Fine Arts Standards and How They Support Your Educational Goals: An introduction to Nevada s Fine Arts Standards in Music, Theatre, Dance and Visual Arts for teachers and education professionals. The guide includes programming suggestions for each standard and guidelines for fundamental achievement in each subject area. Artist in Residence Roster: An adjudicated roster of teaching artists to provide students, teachers and communities with direct hands-on arts experiences through personal interaction with working artists. The residency design allows the artist to explore his/her discipline with students, teachers and community members through a variety of components that may include teacher workshops, classes, lectures and discussions, rehearsals, performances, community events, and perhaps a final project. Nevada Folk Arts Roster: A resource for schools and community organizations that features Nevada folk and traditional artists that are available for a variety of public presentations, performances and other educational services. resources

10 ARTS AND & LEARNING CONVENING PARTICIPANTS We gratefully acknowledge those that participated in the Arts and Learning Convening during the 2010 OASIS Conference. This group of working artists, nonprofit arts administrators, teachers, educational administrators, community activists and consultants engaged in a rich and stimulating dialog that provided the basis for this report. Thank you. Jill Berryman Chair, Nevada Alliance for Arts Education, Reno Elizabeth Blau Arts Education Assistant, Nevada Arts Council, Las Vegas David Branson Fine Arts & Music Administrator, Washoe County School District, Reno Fredina Drye-Romero Indian Education Consultant, Nevada Department of Education, Reno Camille Duskin Founder, Gateway Arts Foundation, Las Vegas Maryjane Dorofachuk Arts Education Coordinator, Nevada Arts Council, Las Vegas Todd Felts Director, Graduate Studies; Associate Professor, Reynolds School of Journalism, University of Nevada, Reno Margaret Ferrara Associate Professor, Curriculum Teaching & Learning, College of Education, University of Nevada, Reno Barbara Good Coordinator of Fine Arts, Clark County School District, Las Vegas Jeffrey Koep Dean, College of Fine Arts, University of Nevada, Las Vegas Wendy Kveck Director, Contemporary Arts Center; Instructor of Drawing/Painting, University of Nevada, Las Vegas Dean Gronemeier Associate Dean, Professor of Music, University of Nevada, Las Vegas Deborah Loesch-Griffin Founder/Owner, Turning Point, Inc., Virginia City Shaun Griffin Co-Founder/ Director, Community Chest, Virginia City Grace Hutchinson Education Director, Reno Philharmonic Association, Reno Candace Nichol Instructor of Arts/Printmaking, Truckee Meadows Community College, Reno Martha Damon O Neill Arts Professional Development Coordinator, Washoe County School District, Reno Arturo Ochoa Retired Principal, Clark County School District, Las Vegas David O Fallon President, McPhail Center for Music; Arts Education Consultant, Minneapolis Colin Robertson Charles N. Mathewson Curator of Education, Nevada Museum of Art, Reno Candy Schneider Vice President of Education and Outreach, The Smith Center, Las Vegas Rick Southerland Arts Education Coordinator, Sierra Arts Foundation, Reno Lori Slinn Coordinator, ArtsBridge, College of Fine Arts, University of Nevada, Las Vegas Lisa Spencer Educator, Las Vegas Cora Sutehall Director of Development, Lied Discovery Children s Museum, Las Vegas Melvin Taylor Vice President of Programs. Nevada PTA, Las Vegas Bridget Thompson Coordinator, Healthy Communities Coalition, Dayton Tifferney White Director, Education and Programming, Lied Discovery Children s Museum, Las Vegas participants

11 Nevada Arts Council The Nevada Arts Council, a division of the Department of Cultural Affairs, was created as a state agency in Charged with supporting Nevada s arts and cultural sectors and expanding access to and public participation in the arts, The Nevada Arts Council (NAC) receives funding from the Nevada State Legislature, the National Endowment for the Arts and other private and public sources. In partnership with schools, arts institutions and communities, NAC actively works to bring artists, a diversity of art forms and audiences together in Nevada s metropolitan centers and most isolated rural towns. From folklife festivals to youth artwork projects, and concert series to visual arts exhibits, NAC s support of a breadth of public programs provides residents a rich quality of life contributing to the health and diversity of Nevada s economy and workforce, increasing tourism, strengthening communities and fostering education through the arts. Our Vision That Nevadans understand the impact and central role of the arts in our lives, our communities and our state. Our Values That we work together to strengthen the environment for artists and arts organizations to accomplish this vision. Our Outcome A culturally vibrant state, from the most isolated and small rural communities to the urban centers of Reno/Sparks and Las Vegas. Our Mission To enrich the cultural life of the state through leadership that preserves, supports, strengthens and makes excellence in the arts accessible to all Nevadans. Jim Gibbons Governor, State of Nevada Michael E. Fischer Director, Department of Cultural Affairs Board Tim Jones, Chair Julia Arger Stephen Caplan Stacy Endres Firouzeh Forouzmand Barbara Good Carol Johnson Joan Lolmaugh Bill Sims Susan Boskoff, Executive Director Reno Reno Henderson Reno Las Vegas Henderson Reno Henderson Winnemucca Arts Education Program Maryjane Dorofachuk, Coordinator, Las Vegas mdorofachuk@nevadaculture.org; Elizabeth Blau, Program Assistant, Las Vegas artsed@nevadaculture.org; Carson City Office 716 North Carson Street, Suite A Carson City, NV Fax (toll-free) Southern Nevada Office 2755 E. Desert Inn Road, Suite 160 Las Vegas, NV Fax Website nac.nevadaculture.org Our Goals Increase public access, participation and investment in Nevada s arts and culture. Incorporate the arts as an essential element in the educational experience of all Nevadans. Strengthen the environment in which artists work and contributions are valued and supported. Encourage and support diverse organizations that produce, present and promote excellence in the arts.

12 716 N. Carson St., Suite A Carson City, NV nac.nevadaculture.org PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 15 CARSON CITY, NV Change Service Requested 2979