EdTA Advocacy Update
June 4, 2019
The Advocacy Update is where you can find current national and state news concerning arts advocacy and arts education.
EdTA NEWS
For ITS 90th Celebrating Thespian Alums Giving Back
In 2019, the International Thespian Society (ITS) is marking the 90th anniversary of its founding with a yearlong celebration of the power of theatre to instill confidence, empathy, and compassion to build better communities.
Grants Awarded to Fire-Impacted Schools, Funded by MTI
The Educational Theatre Foundation is pleased to announce that three California high schools damaged by last year’s fires will receive grants to aid their recovery thanks to a grant funded by licensing agency Music Theatre International (MTI).
New This Summer—EdTA Members-Only Professional Development Webinars
This summer EdTA is introducing a series of six live professional development webinars. Education Manager Cory Wilkerson says, “While students are out of school for the summer is a good time for teachers to focus on their own professional development."
NEWS BY NATION
Australia: How Circus and Theatre Support Young People’s Mental Health (ArtsHub)
The Power of Arts in Education is Highlighted During International Arts Education Week (Australasian Leisure Management)
Scotland: Give Arts Funding for Longer Than Four Years, Demarco Tells MSPs (Herald Scotland)
UK: If We Don’t Protect Arts Education, We’ll Lose the Next Generation of Performers (The Guardian)
STATE/PROVINCE NEWS
Got state or province theatre and other arts education news you want to share? Send it to Katie: kferchen@schooltheatre.org
Alabama: Federal Funding of $816,000 to the Alabama State Arts Council (STL News)
Arizona: Governor Ducey Signs Bill Creating High School Diploma Seals for Students in the Arts (Broadway World)
California: Theatre Arts Teacher Receives Crystal Apple Educator Award (Coastal View)
Iowa: School Board Hears Theater Update (Albia News)
Michigan: Genesee County Arts Millage Yields $440,000 for Local Organizations (Michigan Live)
Minnesota: Edina High Thespians Recognized for Excellence of ‘Chicago’ (Sun Current)
Montana: Montana Youth Theater Group Addresses Bullying, Mental Health through Student-Written Shows (KRTV-3)
New York: Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, Arts Advocate (Lake Placid News)
Students Hold Sit-In at LaGuardia High School to Protest Reduced Focus on the Arts (ABC-7)
Ohio: Withrow Alumni, Helping Restore Arts Program Through Donations, Guidance (WCPO Cincinnati)
Ontario: Ontario Eliminates Indigenous Culture Fund, Cuts Millions for the Arts (National Post)
Toronto: Musical Theatre Teacher Being Remembered in Toronto for Nurturing Talents of Many (CBC)
Vermont: Vermont Arts Organizations to Receive $926,300 in NEA Funding (Vermont Biz)
Virginia: Excellence in Theatre Education Award Announced (Broadway Direct)
Washington, D.C.: Actor Erich Bergen of CBS’ Madam Secretary Visits Capitol Hill to Support Education in Music and Arts (WUSA-9)
Our Students Make Us Proud (Congressman Sablan)
WORTH READING
The Role the Arts Can Play in Promoting Health
“So much exciting research is showing the proven benefits of participating in the arts for longevity, mobility, cognitive ability, and quality of life for all, regardless of age!” (The Spectrum)
How States Handle Arts Education in Charter and Magnet Schools Varies Widely
Arts education is an often-neglected but frequently critical component of what schools can provide to students, particularly those from underserved communities. And there’s a diverse set of approaches states and school systems take when addressing theater, dance, music, and the visual arts in schools of choice such as charter schools and magnets. (EdWeek)
Video: Josh Groban Shares Short Film Spotlighting His Find Your Light Arts Education Foundation
Tonight singer and actor Josh Groban shared a moving short film by his brother Chris Groban spotlighting the work and mission of Josh's Find Your Light Foundation, an organization that supports and promotes quality arts education for children. (Broadway World)