Synthesizing extensive research of arts education practice across the United States, this handbook is a guide to designing arts education professional development for K-12 classroom teachers and provides a searchable database of 50 arts learning communities. Explore this interactive resource online or download the full handbook.
Arts & the Economy: Using Arts and Culture to Stimulate State Economic Development
Governors increasingly recognize the importance of the creative sector to their states’ economy and ability to compete in the global marketplace. “Creative industries” provide direct economic benefits to states and communities: They create jobs, attract investments, generate tax revenues, and stimulate local economies through tourism and consumer purchases. These industries also provide an array of other benefits, such as infusing other industries with creative insight for their products and services and preparing workers to participate in the contemporary workforce. In addition, because they enhance quality of life, the arts and culture are an important complement to community development, enriching local amenities and attracting young professionals to an area. This report looks at best practices for enhancing the creative economy in your state.
BOOK: The Artist’s Guide to Public Art
From the description:
How to Find and Win Commissions
The Artist’s Guide to Public Art is a must-have for everyone who wants to succeed in the growing field of Public Art. The book shows how to start and build a career in public art and assists in navigating the “system,” working efficiently, and standing up for the rights of artists. First-hand accounts from experienced public artists and arts administrators provide tips for the best ways to find, apply for, and win public art commissions.
This guide includes chapters on contracts, working with fabricators, committee presentations, coordination with project managers, preparation of proposals and budgets, dealing with conflict and controversy, and running an efficient business. Author Lynn Basa has produced site-specific art for hospitals, universities, corporate headquarters, and private collections. She is the former chair of the Seattle Arts Commission’s Public Art Committee and currently teaches at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
Access to Arts Education: Inclusion of Additional Questions in Education’s Planned Research Would Help Explain Why Instruction Time Has Decreased For Some Students
Excerpt from GAO report on Watching Politics website:
Because schools may spend more time improving students’ academic skills to meet NCLBA’s (No Child Left Behind Act) requirements, some are concerned that arts education might be cut back. To determine how, if at all, student access to arts education has changed since NCLBA, the Congress asked: (1) has the amount of instruction time for arts education changed and, if so, have certain groups been more affected than others, (2) to what extent have state education agencies’ requirements and funding for arts education changed since NCLBA, (3) what are school officials in selected districts doing to provide arts education since NCLBA and what challenges do they face in doing so, and (4) what is known about the effect of arts education in improving student outcomes? GAO analyzed data from the U.S.
According to data from Education’s national survey, most elementary school teachers–about 90 percent–reported that instruction time for arts education stayed the same between school years 2004-2005 and 2006-2007. The percentage of teachers that reported that instruction time had stayed the same was similarly high across a range of school characteristics, irrespective of the schools’ percentage of low-income or minority students or of students with limited English proficiency, or the schools’ improvement under NCLBA. Moreover, about 4 percent of teachers reported an increase. However, about 7 percent reported a decrease, and GAO identified statistically significant differences across school characteristics in the percentage of teachers reporting that the time spent on arts education had decreased. Department of Education (Education), surveyed 50 state arts officials, interviewed officials in 8 school districts and 19 schools, and reviewed existing research.
The effect of piano lessons on the vocabulary and verbal sequencing skills of primary grade students
According to a just-published study in the journal Psychology of Music, the reading skills of young children who received structured training in music were clearly superior to those of their peers who did not have the benefit of such instruction. The finding is particularly striking because both groups of kids took part in comprehensive literacy training, in which lengthy periods of their school day were dedicated to reading and writing.
Creative Placemaking
Creative Placemaking is a resource for mayors, arts organizations, the philanthropic sector, and others interested in understanding strategies for leveraging the arts to help shape and revitalize the physical, social, and economic character of neighborhoods, cities, and towns. In the words of the report, “Creative placemaking animates public and private spaces, rejuvenates structures and streetscapes, improves local business viability and public safety, and brings diverse people together to celebrate, inspire, and be inspired.” SEE PRESS RELEASE SEE REPORT
