Advocacy for the Arts

5 Points for Advancing Art Education

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.

1. 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!
2. Stay aware of the values of every audience: Communicate the importance of art education in a way that appeals to the values of others.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Be an exemplary teacher: Although the visual arts content is unique, good teaching and learning are 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 every day. Involvement in your professional organization and pursuing advanced studies in the field of art education can afford you additional support

On Tuesday, March 18th, the Illinois State Board of Education voted unanimously to approve an arts indicator as part of the Illinois Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). This means that in order for the state of Illinois to receive federal funding schools across our state will be held accountable for their ability to provide arts education. State Superintendent Alya’s recommendation that 5% of the total ESSA requirements include that schools provide arts education. Illinois is the first state in the nation to endorse such a measure, cementing our state’s role as a leader in arts education.

Read Forbes Article about ESSA in Illinois

Advocacy Task Force

In November of 2012, the IAEA Board created the Advocacy Task Force. Fast forward to 2020 members have connected with dozens of art and education organizations in Illinois to build an advocacy network. The group’s purpose is to promote quality art, design, and media education for every Illinois student.

On Tuesday, March 18th, the Illinois State Board of Education voted unanimously to approve an arts indicator as part of the Illinois Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). This means that in order for the state of Illinois to receive federal funding schools across our state will be held accountable for their ability to provide arts education. State Superintendent Alya’s recommendation that 5% of the total ESSA requirements include that schools provide arts education. Illinois is the first state in the nation to endorse such a measure, cementing our state’s role as a leader in arts education.

However, the IAEA Task Force’s work is not complete.

Currently, we are working on the following:

• Advocacy Day and Student Show Spring 2021 The IAEA is readying for a student show in Springfield, paired with legislative meetings. The IAEA needs help readying for this impactful opportunity to further elevate art, design, and media education in Illinois. This means helping coordinate a student show and building a network of art, design, and media educators to participate in this event.
• Strengthening our partnership art, education, and legislative networks in Illinois. This involves sending emails and networking across the state on behalf of the art, design, and media educators and their students.

if you are interested in being a part of the Advocacy Task Force, email Josh Shearer – [email protected]

Please use this template to contact your legislator and invite them to local events.

IAEA’s Advocacy Task Force

One Great State Partnership with SAIC: Supporting Student Artists in Southern Illinois

Learn More about this annual event!

Title 1 Funds can be used toward programing and professional development of arts educators in your school! Learn more and watch video below!

Title 1 and the Arts from Norman Kurtin on Vimeo.

Advocacy Resources:

DIY Art Advocacy Zine!

Practical Ways to Advocate with a Zine

How to assemble a Zine

Making the pitch – Advocating in an Elevator

Link to presentation materials: How Creativity Will Save Schools.

Ready To Innovate

Facts and Figures – Americans for the Arts

Freedman Leadership and Advocacy

Holly, Freedman, Rex Advocacy and Leadership Visual Art

NAEA ART EDUCATION FLYER

NAEA Advocacy White Papers 1

NAEA Advocacy White Papers 2

NAEA Advocacy White Papers 3

Additional Advocacy Resources:
Americans for the Arts

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)

Cultural Capital

Open Letter to Superintendents, Principals & School Board Members.