Advocacy

Welcome to the EdTA Advocacy Update

August 23, 2016

The Advocacy Update is where you can find current national and state news concerning arts advocacy and arts education

EdTA NEWS

Voting underway in EdTA Board election: Online voting is underway in the Educational Theatre Association’s 2016 election and will continue until the organization’s annual membership meeting at the EdTA National Conference in Las Vegas in September.

NATIONAL NEWS

Four Ways to Protect Vulnerable Students under ESSA: Children in high-poverty schools face a new risk of losing critical resources that support their academic success and well-being. (Education Week)

STATE NEWS

Got state theatre and other arts education news you want to share? Send it to May mhetzer@schooltheatre.org

Alaska:  Alaska State Council on the Arts awarded grants to Alaska artists and arts organizations (Juneau Empire)

Florida: Art education has more value than meets the eye (West Orange Time)

Illinois: PENS TO LENS GALA EMPOWERS EMERGING FILMMAKERS (rogerebert.com)

Indiana: State Coalition Forms to Advance Art Education in Indiana (NAMM Foundation)

Kentucky: SKyPAC can help facilitate arts groups, observers say (Daily News)

Maryland: Region's innovative arts education and programs give outlet, experience (Baltimore Sun)

New Jersey: Mapping Creativity in New Jersey Schools (Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation)

Oregon: Neighborhood Nonprofit Spotlight: Ann Singer on Theatre Arts Education (Patch.com)

Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh schools to offer more music, arts opportunities (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

South Carolina: Leader of the band: Scott Rush wants more arts education (Charleston Post Courier)

Washington: Dance, drumming and lessons on life (Crosscut)

WORTH READING

 Don’t discount value of the arts in education: When the arts are mentioned in the company of parents, there can be many reactions. (La Jolla Light)

 Artist Josh Groban talks about bullying, the importance of arts education and how he developed his sense of humor: “Music absolutely saved me,” he says. “It was the music teachers; it was my arts teachers; it was my theater teachers; it was my improv-comedy— it was that group.” (PGH City Paper)