Arts|Learning offers a variety of advocacy-oriented programs including recognition awards, professional development trainings and events, and opportunities for students. Please click onto an area of interest on the panel to the left.
Kennedy Center's Community Arts Audit
Kennedy Center's Community Arts Audit
In 2006, the Arts|Learning Advocacy Group (formerly the Massachusetts Alliance for Arts Education--MAAE) and the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) participated in the Partnership Project to assist several school districts (Attleboro, Bridgewater-Raynham, Fitchburg, and New Bedford) in conducting the Kennedy Center Alliance for Arts Education Network (KCAAEN) Community Audit for Arts Education.
The primary goal of the audit process was to give these communities the tools to meet their needs to develop active community support for arts education.
Project objectives included:
- Building a network of support for arts education in Massachusetts,
- Providing a model for district reform,
- Developing detailed 5-year strategic plans for placing arts education at the core of the curriculum in each participating district, and
- Shaping a strategy for implementation of the plans and create community arts education advisory committees in each community to help implement the plan.
Results for audit districts and communities has included:
- Strengthened networks of support for arts education;
- Deeper engagement of school administrators and the broader community in a data-driven examination of the state of arts education;
- Better informed advisory committee members and administrators on arts education challenges and successes;
- More focused attention on arts education programming and resources in schools by community members, including students and parents.
Learn about A|L's Arts Education Leadership Toolkit.
2. Organize Your People
Identify a group of stakeholders who should be at the table to set and frame advocacy goals. Consider who should be part of this core group and make sure that they represent your constituency. Consider forming an advisory board with this core group.
Hold a focus group or a series of informal interviews with members of this group to refine your goals. Analyze your situation to get at the heart of your issue and to gain an understanding about relevant current and past circumstances.
Do your homework!
Determine who your allies who can support your case and are help you enact change such as:
- Parents: Booster Club and PTO/PTA Presidents
- Local Businesses: Chamber of Commerce, Arts-related businesses
- Local Elected Officials: Mayor, City Councilors
- State and Federal Elected Officials: Representatives, Senators
- School Committee Members
- Superintendent
- School Administrators: Principals, Fine Arts Director, Arts Coordinator
- Teachers: Arts, General, Retired
- Students
- Arts Organizations Leadership
- Artists/Performers
- Higher Education Representatives
- Print and Broadcast Media
- Community/Civic Groups
- Religious Leaders
- Youth Organizations
Assess the strengths of the group and decide who should join you.
Create a Network of Support
Organize a core group of decision makers and select a coordinator.
KCAAEN Leadership Kit
Recruit other members with various talents.
Volunteer Information Form
Sample Discussion Questions
Define and Delegate Tasks.
Tips for Running a Good Volunteer Meeting
Assess who has the power to help you.
Target Decision Makers List
Find others who can help you (Browse our Links)
Note: Steps 2 and 3 may be happening simultaneously or in cycles until you get ready to implement your plan.
Also: It is important to Organize your Message with a core group of people prior to recruiting a large base of volunteers.