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Meet the IAEA’s Advocacy Task Force!
Ten IAEA members answered the call to participate in the Advocacy Task Force after the Board approved it in November of 2012. Members of the Task Force have already connected with over a dozen art and education organizations in Illinois in order to build an advocacy network. The group is currently working on two large projects: a visual arts advocacy statement for the IAEA and an advocacy day in which IAEA members will visit Springfield.
Contact the Task Force
Attached is a list of the members, the Councils they represent, and contact information.
If you are interested in helping the Task Force organize an Advocacy Day for 2014, contact your Council’s Representative.
CONTACT |
CENTRAL COUNCIL |
Peggy Finnegan
|
|
| eostewa@ilstu.edu |
Dr. Ed Stewart, PhD
|
CONTACT |
NORTHWEST COUNCIL |
| karen_popovich@ipsd.org |
Karen Popovich, NBCT
|
| bradmckinney@hotmail.com |
Brad McKinney |
| shore_heather@yahoo.com |
Heather Shore
|
CONTACT |
SOUTH COUNCIL |
| ncorbit@viennagradeschool.com |
Nathan Corbit
|
| sallygradle@hotmail.com |
Dr. Sally Gradle, Ed.D.
|
CONTACT |
NORTHEAST COUNCIL |
| lisadavis4521@gmail.com |
Lisa Davis
|
| cgrodoski@gmail.com |
Chris Grodoski
|
| mschaefer.naea@gmail.com |
Melissa Righter
|
AT-LARGE MEMBERS |
|
Olivia Gude
|
|
This map includes of composite of data about art education in Illinois, by county. County and poverty information was generated from the Center for Education Statistics. Art Educator information came from the Illinois State Board of Education’s Teacher Service record
Positive changes in art education require not merely advocacy, but leadership. Leadership inside classrooms, schools, and within the larger context of art education can forward the status of the field. Advancing the field requires an ongoing process of learning and renewal for the art educator.
5 Points for Advancing Art Education
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- Every conversation counts: Whether your art program is robust or sparse, YOU are the sole representative of the entire field of art education. Always represent the depth, quality, and rigor of what you do every day. Ambassadorship is a full time job!
- Stay aware of the values of every audience: Communicate the importance of art education to in a way that appeals to the values of others.
- Develop parent and business community partners: Visibility and professional connections within the community can sustain your programming, lead to additional funding, and support local businesses. Parent involvement, properly organized, can also help elevate your status in the community.
- Remember your context: Leadership and advocacy should be sensitive to contextual factors. Challenging context norms without a track record of collaboration and success can be perceived as insensitive and out of touch.
- Be an exemplary teacher: Although the visual arts content is unique, good teaching and learning is easily recognized in any content area. There are many perceptions about art education classrooms, all of which you can challenge by demonstrating student learning, sharing well-articulated lesson plans, and structuring an enriching learning experience for students everyday. Involvement in your professional organization and pursuing advanced studies in the field of art education can afford you additional support.
Advocacy Resources:
Facts and Figures – Americans for the Arts
Freedman Leadership and Advocacy
Holly, Freedman, Rex Advocacy and Leadership Visual Art
Additional Advocacy Resources:
Arts in Every Classroom/A Video Library for K-5 Teachers and Arts Specialists
California Alliance for Arts Education: Arts Learning in Action Toolkit
ArtSmarts Among Innovators in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)


