Links – Arts|Learning

The links on this page were chosen for their usefulness to educators and supporters of arts education. At the time of creation and update, these links were active and the content was appropriate. When you leave this web site, NALC is no longer responsible for the content of any of the pages contained in the links below.

Regional/State Arts Agencies and Organizations

MASSACHUSETTS ART EDUCATION ASSOCIATION (MAEA): MAEA is an affiliate of the National Art Education Association (NAEA). Membership is concurrent. The mission of MAEA is to represent, inform and support art educators, and to promote art education throughout Massachusetts. MAEA sponsors meetings, exhibits and workshops. The Boston Globe Scholastic Arts Competition is facilitated through this organization. All visual arts teachers are encouraged to participate in exhibits, scholarships, workshops, conferences and symposiums to enhance their professional development and career opportunities.
MASSACHUSETTS CULTURAL COUNCIL (MCC): The mission of the MCC is to promote excellence, access, education and diversity in the arts, humanities and interpretive sciences in order to improve the quality of life for all Massachusetts residents and to contribute to the economic vitality of our communities.
MASSACHUSETTS DANCE EDUCATION ORGANIZATION (MA DEO ): MADEO is a non-profit dance resource and education organization whose mission is to advance and make accessible the art and education of dance in its many forms for all the people of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION’S ARTS EDUCATION ADVISORY COUNCIL: The Arts Education Advisory Council advises the Commissioner and Board of Education on matters pertinent to the development of arts education in the Commonwealth. This includes examining statewide trends and needs, seeking public and professional input, identifying model programs, and making recommendations on policies and programs for the dance, music, theatre, and visual arts components of the Massachusetts Arts Curriculum Framework.
MASSACHUSETTS EDUCATIONAL THEATER GUILD (METG): The Massachusetts Educational Theater Guild, Inc. exists for the charitable and educational purpose of promoting and strengthening excellence, access, and education in the theatrical arts for middle and secondary school students and teachers. For more than 80 years, the METG has been a leader in arts education, believing that theater has a unique power to enrich and transform young people’s lives.
MASSACHUSETTS MUSIC EDUCATORS ASSOCIATION (MMEA): MMEA is a federated state unit of MENC that advances and strengthens music education in the state of Massachusetts. MMEA sponsors a yearly state convention, meetings, festivals, and workshops. Regional and All-State opportunities for middle and high school students are facilitated through this organization. All music teachers are encouraged to participate in professional development opportunities and to sponsor and showcase outstanding middle and high school musicians in District and All-State ensembles.
MASSCREATIVE: MASSCreative works with creative leaders, working artists, arts
educators and arts and cultural supporters to empower creative
organizations and the public with a powerful voice to advocate for the
resources and attention necessary to build vibrant, connected, and
creative communities.
NEW ENGLAND FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS (NEFA): NEFA functions as a grant-maker, program initiator, regional laboratory, project coordinator, developer of resources and builder of creative partnerships among artists, arts organizations and funding agencies.
NEW ENGLAND THEATRE CONFERENCE (NETC): NETC is a regional theatre organization that sponsors a regional conferences for professional growth and networking, newsletters, a journal, directory and several student competitions throughout New England.
OPEN DOOR ARTS OF MASSACHUSETTS: Open Door Arts of Massachusetts promotes the inclusion of people with disabilities in our communities and develops arts-based teaching strategies that allow students with and without disabilities to learn together.

Methodology-Based Arts Organizations

AMERICAN BANDMASTER’S ASSOCIATION (ABA): ABA is committed to the preservation of American band music and history. It is a national association of band masters that promotes better bands and better repertoire through collegial sharing ad presentations.
AMERICAN DANCE FESTIVAL (ADF): ADF encourages and supports the creation and presentation of new modern dance work by both established and emerging choreographers; preserves modern dance heritage through continued presentation of classic works, as well as through archival efforts; works to build wider national and international audiences for modern dance; enhances public understanding and appreciation of the art form and its cultural and historical significance; provides a sound scientific/aesthetic base for professional education and training of young dancers and is a forum for integrating and disseminating information on dance education.
AMERICAN ORFF-SCHULWERK ASSOCIATION (AOSA): AOSA is a professional organization dedicated to the creative teaching approach developed by Carl Orff and Gunild Keetman.
ARTS IN BASIC CURRICULUM (ABC) PROJECT: ABC is a South Carolina model for sequential and integrated arts education.
CHANGING EDUCATION THROUGH THE ARTS (CETA): CETA is a model for integrated arts education.
DALCROZE: The Dalcroze approach to music education teaches an understanding of music through Eurhythmics (movement), Solfege, and Improvisation.
DIFFERENT WAYS OF KNOWING (GALEF INSTITUTE): This model is a model for integrated arts education.
DISCIPLINE BASED ARTS EDUCATION
INTERNATIONAL ANIMATION ASSOCIATION (ASIFA): The International Animation Association promotes the art of animation and furthers international understanding and good will through the medium of animated film.
THE KENAN INSTITUTE –A+ SCHOOLS NETWORK: A+ schools is a North Carolina model implemented in several states. See Oklahoma A+ schools for state organized model.
LINCOLN CENTER INSTITUTE FOR THE ARTS IN EDUCATION: The Institute trains teachers to implement a model of arts integration instruction.
ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN KODALY EDUCATORS (OAKE): OAKE promotes Kodaly’s concept of “Music for Everyone” through the improvement of music education in schools.

National Arts Organizations

AMERICAN CRAFT COUNCIL (ACC): The ACC is a leading voice for the crafts in America , celebrating the achievements of gifted artists working in the media of clay, fiber, glass, metal, wood and other materials.
AMERICANS FOR THE ARTS: Americans for the Arts is dedicated to representing and serving local communities and creating opportunities for every American to participate in and appreciate all forms of the arts.
AMERICAN SOCIETY OF COMPOSERS, AUTHORS, AND PUBLISHERS, THE (ASCAP): ASCAP is a membership organization of composers, songwriters, lyricists and music publishers. ASCAP is a U.S. performing rights organization.
ARTSEDGE: ArtsEdge is a national arts and education information internet web site that supports the use of technology to integrate the arts with other academic subjects.
ARTS EDUCATION PARTNERSHIP (AEP): The Arts Education Partnership (AEP) is a national coalition of arts, education, business, philanthropic and government organizations that demonstrate and promote the essential role of the arts in the learning and development of every child and in the improvement of America ‘s schools.
ARTS SCHOOLS NETWORK: Arts Schools Network serves as a resource for leaders of arts schools, arts integration schools and complimentary arts and education organizations. This organization was formally the International Network of Performing and Visual Arts Schools.
BROADCAST MUSIC INCORPORATED (BMI): BMI issues licenses to various uses of music including television and radio stations, networks; new media, including the Internet and mobile technologies such as ringtones, satellite audio services, nightclubs, discos, hotels, bars, restaurants, jukeboxes and live concerts. BMI tracks public performances and collects and distributes performance royalties to songwriters, composers and music publishers…similar to ASCAP.s users of music, including television and; digital jukeboxes; and live concerts.
GRANTMAKERS IN THE ARTS (GIA): GIA is an organization for philanthropy organizations that support arts organizations and initiatives.
HARRY FOX AGENCY: The Harry Fox Agency was created by the NMPA to provide an informational source, clearinghouse and monitoring services for licensing musical copyrights.
INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF FINE ARTS DEANS (ICFAD): ICFAD addresses issues, provides leadership and offers forums for information exchange in arts education at the university level.
NATIONAL ACADEMY OF RECORDING ARTS AND SCIENCES, INC. (NARAS): The Recording Academy is the premier outlet for honoring achievements in the recording arts and supporting the music community. The Grammy Foundation works in partnership with The Recording Academy to bring national attention to important issues such as the value and impact of music and arts education and the urgency of preserving our rich cultural heritage.
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF STATE ARTS AGENCIES (NASSA): NASSA is a national service organization for state arts agencies like the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS (NEA): The National Endowment for the Arts is a federal agency that advocates for human creativity, supports the creative endeavors in communities and schools and fosters the excellence of U.S. artistic accomplishments.
NATIONAL GUILD OF COMMUNITY SCHOOLS OF THE ARTS (NGCSA): NGCSA is the national service organization for a diverse constituency of non-profit organizations providing arts education in urban, suburban and rural communities throughout the United States.
NATIONAL OFFICE FOR THE COUNCIL OF ARTS ACCREDITING ASSOCIATIONS (NOCAAA): The National Office for Arts Accreditation (NOAA) is the name given to the staff and facilities shared by the National Association of Schools of Music, the National Association of Schools of Art and Design, the National Association of Theatre, and the National Association of Schools of Dance. NOAA has no corporate identity nor funding designated specifically to itself. In addition to the work of these four accrediting bodies, NOAA manages these cooperative efforts that involve all four accrediting bodies, the Higher Education Arts Data Services (HEADS) project, the Council of Arts Accrediting Associations (CAAA), and the Accrediting Commission for Community and Precollegiate Arts Schools (ACCPAS). The HEADS project is an ad hoc institutional research effort financed primarily by the four higher education accrediting associations. CAAA is focused on interagency discussions and projects on matters of common interest. ACCPAS provides accreditation services for arts-oriented schools and programs for children, youth, and/or adults in a community.
The primary purpose of NOAA is to provide daily management services for the five accrediting bodies and the related activities of HEADS and CAAA. Each accrediting body is completely autonomous.
NATIONAL YOUNGARTS FOUNDATION: The National YoungArts Foundation (formerly the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts) program recognizes the achievements of high school seniors and other young artists 17 or 18 years of age in the areas of Dance, Music, Jazz, Voice, Theatre, Visual Arts, Photography and Writing through mentors, scholarships, master classes, extended study and interviews. ARTS is the sole nominating vehicle for Presidential Scholars in the Arts.
PRESIDENT’S COMMITTEE ON THE ARTS AND THE HUMANITIES (PCAH): PCAH encourages private sector support of the arts and humanities and public appreciation for the arts through projects and publications.
VSA ARTS: VSA arts is an international organization that creates learning opportunities through the arts for people with disabilities. VSA arts offers arts-based programs in creative writing, dance, drama, music and visual arts implemented primarily through their affiliate networks found in 39 states as well as the District of Columbia and 70 international affiliates.

National Education Organizations

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGES FOR TEACHER EDUCATION (AACTE): AACTE is a national voluntary association of higher education institutions and other organizations and is dedicated to ensuring the highest quality preparation and continuing professional development for teachers and school leaders in order to enhance PK-12 student learning.
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS (AASA): The AASA is the professional organization for chief executive officers, superintendents and senior level school administrators to cabinet members, professors and aspiring school system leaders. AASA members advance the goals of public education, champion children’s causes in their districts and nationwide, set the pace for academic achievement, help shape policy, oversee its implementation and represent school districts to the public at large.
AMERICAN FEDERATION OF TEACHERS (AFT): The American Federation of Teachers was founded in 1916 to represent the economic, social and professional interests of classroom teachers. It is an affiliated international union of the AFL-CIO.
ASSOCIATION OF SUPERVISION AND CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT (ASCD): ASCD is a membership organization that develops programs, products, and services essential to the way educators learn, teach, and lead.
COUNCIL OF CHIEF STATE SCHOOL OFFICERS (CCSSO): CCSSO is the member organization for state commissioners of education.
HARVARD PROJECT ZERO: Project Zero is an education research group in the Graduate School of Education at Harvard University .
NATIONAL ASSESSMENT GOVERNING BOARD (NAGBO): NAGBO is a congressionally created governing board that sets policy for the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), “The Nation’s Report Card.”
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE EDUCATION OF YOUNG CHILDREN (NAEYC): The NAEYC is an organization of early childhood educators and others that promotes improvement in the quality of programs for children through third grade.
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR GIFTED CHILDREN (NAGC): NAGC is an organization of parents, teachers, educators, other professionals, and community leaders who unite to address the unique needs of children and youth with demonstrated gifts and talents as well as those children who may be able to develop their talent potential with appropriate educational experiences.
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PRINCIPALS (NAESP): NAESP leads advocacy and support for elementary and middle level principals and other education leaders in their commitment to all children.
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SECONDARY SCHOOL PRINCIPALS (NASSP): NASSP is the preeminent organization of and national voice for middle level and high school principals, assistant principals, and aspiring school leaders from across the United States and more than 45 countries around the world. NASSP promotes excellence in school leadership.
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STATE BOARDS OF EDUCATION (NASBE): NASBE strengthens state leadership in policymaking; promotes excellence in the education of all students; advocates for equality of access to educational opportunities, and assures continued citizen support for public education.
NATIONAL BOARD FOR PROFESSIONAL TEACHING STANDARDS (NBPTS): NBPTS promotes the upholding of high standards for professional performance in the teaching profession.
NATIONAL CENTER FOR EDUCATION STATISTICS (NCES): NCES is a federal agency that collects and analyzes data that are related to education in the United States and other nations.
NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF STATE LEGISLATURES (NCSL): This bipartisan organization is dedicated to aiding the nation’s lawmakers.
NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION (NEA): NEA is American’s oldest and largest organization committed to advancing public education.
NATIONAL SCHOOLS BOARDS ASSOCIATION (NSBA): The National School Boards Association is a not-for-profit federation of state associations of school boards across the United States. Its mission is to foster excellence and equity in public education through school board leadership.
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT (RAND): RAND is a non-profit institution that seeks to improve policy and decision making through research and analysis.
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION (USDOE): This federal agency directs and supports education in the USA.
UNITED STATES COPYRIGHT OFFICE OF THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS: “To promote the progress of science and useful arts, by securing for limited times to authors and inventors the exclusive right to their respective writings and discoveries”
(U.S. Constitution, Article I, Section 8)

Professional Arts Education Associations

AMERICAN ALLIANCE FOR THEATRE AND EDUCATION (AATE): AATE promotes standards of excellence in theatre and theatre education and supports the power of the creative experience. AATE connects educators, artists, researchers, scholars and administrators, and provides opportunities for members to learn from each other, and exchange and diversify their practices, their audiences, and their perspectives.
AMERICAN STRING TEACHERS ASSOCIATION (ASTA): ASTA is a membership organization for string and orchestra teachers and players, helping them to develop and refine their careers. ASTA’s members range from budding student teachers to artist-status performers. The organization provides a vast array of services, including instrument insurance, an award-winning scholarly journal, discounts on publications and resources, annual professional development opportunities, and access to collegial network of colleagues throughout the string profession.
EDUCATIONAL THEATRE ASSOCIATION (EDTA): The Educational Theatre Association and its International Thespian Society branch have been working since 1929 to honor excellence among students of theatre and support the work of theatre educators. Originally focused on theatre in high schools, EdTA has in recent years broadened the scope of its mission to embrace the concept of theatre as an instrument of lifelong learning and has expanded its membership to include students and teachers in middle schools, and college students preparing for careers in theatre education. EdTA publishes Dramatics, a monthly magazine for theatre students and teachers, and Teaching Theatre, a quarterly journal for educators. It sponsors the annual International Thespian Festival.
NATIONAL ART EDUCATION ASSOCIATION (NAEA): NAEA is the national professional organization for art educators from every level of instruction: early childhood, elementary, intermediate, secondary, college and university, administration, museum education, and lifelong learning. It also includes publishers, manufacturers and suppliers of art materials, parents, students, retired teachers, arts councils, and schools. NAEA promotes quality art education in all schools.
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR MUSIC EDUCATION (MENC): The National Association for Music Education, the world’s largest arts education organization, marked its centennial in 2007 as the only association that addresses all aspects of music education. More than 130,000 members represent all levels of teaching from preschool to graduate school. Since 1907, MENC has worked to ensure that every student has access to a well-balanced, comprehensive, and high-quality program of music instruction taught by qualified teachers. MENC’s activities and resources have been largely responsible for the establishment of music education as a profession, for the promotion and guidance of music study as an integral part of the school curriculum, and for the development of the National Standards for Arts Education. (National School Orchestra Association is available through MENC.)
NATIONAL DANCE EDUCATION ORGANIZATION (NDEO): NDEO is an autonomous non-profit organization dedicated to promoting standards of excellence in dance education. NDEO provides the dance artist, educator and administrator a network of resources and support, a base for advocacy, and access to programs and projects that focus on the importance of dance in the human experience.