Advocacy Priorities & Accomplishments

The Advocacy Leadership Team has identified these priorities for the 2009-10 year.

• Host the Massachusetts Arts Education Leadership Symposium (to be held in  Pittsfield, MA, April, 2010) to bring arts leaders from across the state together to learn about national arts advocacy initiatives, research, and tools to support arts in education programs in schools and communities.
• Present at Superintendent, School Committee, and Principals conferences to relay the important message about the role of the Arts in 21st Century Skills and development of the whole child.
• Convene a summit of Arts Education Professional Education Association leaders.
• Convene a summit of leaders from various local community parent support groups for the arts
• Enhance web site with advocacy resources and online community building opportunities.
• Create a 10-minute documentary film showing the results of significant arts education research occurring in the New England Region to be used as a powerful arts advocacy tool.
• Recognize excellence in arts education advocacy at the Champions of Arts Education Advocacy Awards Ceremony, May 2010, Massachusetts Statehouse.

The Arts|Learning Advocacy Group has accomplished the following advocacy activities in 2007-09:

• Created a Leadership Team to oversee statewide arts education advocacy efforts.
• Defined membership benefits for NALC/MAECs joint advocacy work.
• Recognized excellence in arts education advocacy at the Massachusetts Arts Education Awards Ceremony 2008 and 2009.
• Developed the Arts Leadership Advocacy Toolkit with funding from the Kennedy Center, which was shared at state and national arts education conferences.
• Focused on advocacy in NALC's Arts & Learning Review and Massachusetts Arts Education Partnership Institute 2008.
• Advocated for the passing of MassCore, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's recommended program of high school studies that includes 1 credit of art.
• Obtained a proclamation from Governor Patrick and a resuloution from the MA State Senate proclaming March, 2009, as "Youth Arts Month in Massachusetts."
• Informed and educated constituents through e-news and e-alerts on state and national policy developments, funding opportunities, professional development.