About A|L
The Mission of Arts|Learning is to encourage active engagement of preschool through college students in developing their highest artistic and academic competence. We do this by advancing policies, practices, programs and partnerships to achieve a new level of excellence in teaching and curriculum development.
Our comprehensive approach:
• Re-imagines school and district models
• Builds networks and alliances
• Advocates for strong arts programs and for arts integration
• Facilitates partnerships among schools, higher education and arts organizations
• Provides professional development
• Convenes education leaders and art experts to promote awareness, dialogue and a sense of community
Vision Statement
Arts|Learning envisions all schools to be successful in preparing students for a fulfilled life in the 21st Century.
A|L believes that this is best accomplished through the arts as a central, unifying factor.
Strategies for Accomplishing the A|L Mission and Vision
Strategies to accomplish the Arts|Learning Mission and Vision, with the arts central to every activity, are accomplished through the work of three divisions.
1. Program & application Group is an agent for education reform. This division pursues the following activities:
- Support and inspire local, state and national education leaders in creating systemic change in school districts and individual schools
- Advise school and district leaders on educational leadership and governance, and the role of arts integration, arts curricula and assessment in improving school performance
- Promote partnership and collaboration among schools, higher education, cultural organizations, government agencies and communities
2. Networking & Advocacy Group is a resource center and arts-advocacy umbrella for Massachusetts parents, teachers, administrators, associations of professional arts educators, museums and cultural organizations, higher education, and private education. Services include the following:
- Collaborate and coordinate with state agencies such as the MA Department of Elementary & Secondary Education, MA Department of Higher Education, and Massachusetts Cultural Council
- Engage in public advocacy
- Network stakeholders by distributing information through publications, website, blog, e-news, and newsletters
- Provide professional development to policy makers, superintendents and other school administrators, school boards, educators, artists, and curriculum directors
- Convene school leadership conferences and symposia
- Promote and disseminate arts education research
- Provide a database of experienced experts in arts curricula, instruction, and assessment
- Train school and community leaders in the use of the [NAME] Advocacy Toolkit
- Present annual awards to recognize outstanding arts programs and advocates
- Represent Massachusetts as a member of the Kennedy Center Alliance for Arts Education Network
3. Teaching & Learning Group disseminates information on best practices of model programs of teaching in and through the arts. Services include the following:
- Create and implement new arts-delivery programs for students, such as the Arts Learning Program, in local schools and districts
- Disseminate new and existing models for replication in new settings
