Welcome to the EdTA Advocacy Update
January 16, 2018
The Advocacy Update is where you can find current national and state news concerning arts advocacy and arts education.
EdTA NEWS
NBC Pledges $500,000 Through R.I.S.E America to Promote the Arts in High Schools
NBC has partnered with the Educational Theatre Foundation (ETF) to revitalize high school arts programs—like the one depicted in the show—across the nation with R.I.S.E. America. The network has pledged $500,000 to provide $10,000 grants to 50 U.S. high schools. (Playbill)
10th Annual Democracyworks Essay Competition Deadline February 1st
This year’s prompt asks students to address how theatre and other arts can help promote dialogue and understanding between individuals with differing points of view.
NATIONAL NEWS
Taking Note: Statewide Data Infrastructure Project for Arts Education- A Catalyst for Policy and Engagement
It’s always gratifying—if all too rare—to see a New Year’s resolution become a full-fledged action item. A perennial goal of the NEA’s, for example, has been to bring greater access and transparency to public data about K-12 student participation in arts education.
Registration is now open for the Arts Education Partnership State Policy Symposium The March 10th event in Washington, D.C. will convene leaders from across the arts and education sectors for a day-long discussion exploring key policy topics impacting the arts in education.
STATE NEWS
Got state theatre and other arts education news you want to share? Send it to Shea: shaney@schooltheatre.org
Alabama: Fairhope Education Enrichment Foundation Plans for K-12 STEAM Center (Fox 10)
California: City Arts Grants Fund Art, Music, Theatre, Dance Projects (Davis Enterprise)
New West Symphony Gets Grants for Outreach Programs (VC Star)
There’s More Arts Education in LA than You Might Expect, But Not for Everyone (KPCC)
Colorado: Artist Service Program Educates Roaring Fork Students (Post Independent)
Florida: Martin County Resident Makes CD to Help Support 2 Charities (TC Palm)
Indiana: More FWCS Schools to Get STEM or STEAM Curriculum (The Journal Gazette)
Kansas: Sisters in Topeka USD 501 Perform Dance of Hope During All-Staff Event at Topeka High School (CJ Online)
Maryland: Breaking New Ground: New Spire Arts Begin Construction on Performance Space (The Frederick News Post)
Missouri: Education Board Left Without Leadership as Legislative Session Begins (Missourian)
North Carolina: North Carolina Arts Council Grant Funding Applications Accepted Through March 1 (Mountain Xpress)
Nebraska: Dance and Pivotal Moments: A Journey From Mexico to a Life in Lincoln (Lincoln Journal Star)
New York: Momenta Quartet’s Theatrical Children’s Work ‘The Lost String Quartet’ (I Care if You Listen)
North Dakota: Art Transforms Standing Rock School (The Bismarck Tribune)
Oklahoma: Medieval Fair Ball Let’s Locals Dance into History (Norman Transcript)
Pennsylvania: Lackawanna County Commissioner Laureen Cummings Votes Against Fringe Festival Grant Funding (The Times-Tribune)
Utah: Art, Health, and PE Still Required for Middle Schoolers, but Here’s the Twist (KUTV)
Wisconsin: Arts Educator Responds to Tragedy Through Art (Milwaukie Neighborhood News Service)
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Cambodia: High Hopes Meet Hurdles in Plan to Bring Arts Education to Every School in Cambodia (The Phnom Penh Post)
Canada: Cambridge Drama Students Bring #MeToo Into Local Focus (The Record)
Indonesia: Red Cross Using Comedy and Drama to Tackle Devastating Tribal Fighting in PNG Highlands (ABC News Australia)
Ireland: Yes, Let’s Double Science Funding. But Why Not Arts Too? (University Times)
United Kingdom: Don’t Price Kids Out of the Arts (The Stage)
WORTH READING
Arts-Rich Preschool Readies Kids
Preschools have a single, all-important mission: getting kids ready to learn. Students should emerge knowing their letters, numbers, and shapes, as well as a certain level of emotional awareness. A new study identifies a uniquely effective way to impart this foundational knowledge: immersion in the arts. (Pacific Standard)
This Iraq War Veteran Turned Choreographer is Making Provocative Dances About War
When Roman Baca returned home from active duty in Iraq in 2007, he found himself having a tough time transitioning to civilian life. "I remember a couple of instances where I was mean and angry and depressed," says Baca. "My wife sat me down and said, 'You are not the same guy I knew before.' “She suggested Baca return to his roots in dance. (Dance Magazine)