Arts|Learning was formed in 2007 through the merger of the Massachusetts Alliance for Arts Education (founded in 1980) and the National Arts and Learning Collaborative, two organizations dedicated to advancing arts education in public schools. Over the years, these groups championed the inclusion of the arts in Massachusetts education reform, developed curriculum frameworks, built statewide partnerships, and launched recognition programs such as the annual Champions of Arts Education awards. Today, Arts|Learning continues this legacy as the leading statewide alliance advocating for equitable access to arts education for all students.

Timeline: 

2024-2025

  • Arts|Learning partners with other arts education organizations in the state to create legislation known at the Lowell Mason Arts Education Equity Act. 
  • A part-time Executive Director is hired.

2022-2024

  • Arts Foundational Skills Progressions: A|L received a two-year contract with the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to create Arts Foundational Skills Progressions in all five disciplines. Music and Art progressions were completed in spring 2022.
  • New Arts Teacher Mentorship Program: A|L received a one-year DESE contract to create an extensive mentorship program for up to 150 newly hired arts educators in Massachusetts.

2021-2022

  • Natick Arts Curriculum: Guided Natick Public Schools in a complete rewrite of its music, theatre, and visual arts curriculum.

2020-2022

  • COVID-19 and Arts Education: With the Arts for All Coalition, A|L successfully advocated for revised COVID-19 guidelines that safely allowed performing arts classes to resume in schools.

2020  

  • New Position at Department of Education: Arts for All advocacy resulted in the creation of the first full-time Arts Content Lead Specialist at MA DESE.
  • Arts Education and Racial Equity: Arts Education and Racial Equity: A Call to Action was co-authored by Jonathan Rappaport (A|L Executive Director Emeritus) and Tufts professor Barbara Wallace Grossman, published as an op-ed in WGBH.

2019-2020

  • Model Curriculum Development: Supported Dighton-Rehoboth Public Schools in developing a comprehensive PreK–12 music and visual arts curriculum aligned with the 2019 MA Arts Curriculum Framework.

2018-2019

  • MA Arts Curriculum Framework Development: A|L staff were key members of the 18-month DESE review and rewriting process of the MA Arts Curriculum Framework, approved by the Board of Education in June 2019—the first revision in 20 years.

2017-2019 

  • Advocacy Leads to Landmark Advances: Arts for All advocacy revitalized the MA Arts Education Advisory Council and ensured that arts participation data was included on all public school and district report cards starting in fall 2019.

2017  

  • Arts for All Coalition: A|L continued as a lead driver for this statewide coalition, alongside MASSCreative, MCC, Boston Public Schools, EdVestors, and MassArt.
  • Professional Development: Delivered training in musical improvisation and composition, curriculum development in Norwood, and arts assessment development at the MA Art Educators Association conference.

2015  

  • Model Curriculum Development: Presented arts model curriculum units at the DESE Literacy Arts Conference.

2015 

  • School Arts Leader Program Launched: A|L piloted a two-year initiative in five schools across three districts, working with principals to develop arts-centered curricula and programs that increase student learning and creativity outcomes. Funded by MCC and family foundations.
  • Arts|Learning moved to Medfield, Massachusetts, and has begun a long-term collaboration with the Lowell Mason House, where the A|L Offices will be located.

2009

  • NALC changed its name to Arts|Learning to indicate its wide range of programs related to arts, learning, and arts learning, without having to define or limit its geographical location in Massachusetts or nationally, and to merge all former NALC and MAAE activities under one new name.

2007

  • NALC legally merged with the Massachusetts Alliance for Arts Education (MAAE) and became the state affiliate of the Kennedy Center Alliance for Arts Education Network, a coalition of statewide non-profit Alliances for Arts Education working in partnership with the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to support policies, practices, programs, and partnerships that ensure the arts are an essential part of American K-12 education. The merger was made possible by The Boston Foundation. NALC established the Massachusetts Arts Education Collaborative to guide its statewide arts education advocacy efforts.

To view the history of Arts|Learning prior to 2007, please select this link.