Welcome to the EdTA Advocacy Update
December 5, 2017
The Advocacy Update is where you can find current national and state news concerning arts advocacy and arts education.
EdTA NEWS
EdTA’s 10th Annual Democracyworks Essay Competition is now Accepting Entries
The Educational Theatre Association’s tenth annual Democracyworks essay competition opened on December 1. The winner will receive $1,500 toward expenses to attend Arts Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C., March 12-13, 2018, plus $250 cash. The competition closes on February 1.
Advocacy Leadership Network Seeking New State Chapter Members
Interested members should review the complete 2018 ALN application guidelines. The application process closes on December 15.
NATIONAL NEWS
Broadway Theatre Project 2018 Applications Now Available
Now entering its 28th year, Broadway Theatre Project (BTP), a program described by Playbill as "The world's most prestigious musical theatre arts education program for high school and college students", is now accepting applications for the 2018 Summer Apprenticeship program, being held July 8-29, 2018.
STATE NEWS
Got state theatre and other arts education news you want to share? Send it to Shea: shaney@schooltheatre.org
California: Theatre Alumnus Gives Back (The Poly Post)
The Native American Heritage Resource and Education Fair Showcases Culture Through Ethnic Performances (CRC Connection)
It’s Fifth-Grade Music for All Under San Diego Unified Arts Plan (KPBS)
D.C.: Kennedy Center Honors Supporting Schools Nationwide in Arts Education (Fox 5 DC)
Florida: License Plates Designed by Pinellas 5th Graders Available to Help Fund Art Education (WFLA)
Pasco Students Score Big at Junior Thespian Festival (TBO)
Illinois: Chance the Rapper to Teens: Study Taxation, School Funding (Chicago Tribune)
Iowa: State Adopts New Fine Arts Standards (The Messenger)
Kentucky: School Board Purchases Permanent Home for STEAM Academy (Lex18)
Maine: Holiday Dance: Maine Kids Join Moscow Ballet for ‘Great Russian Nutcracker’ (Press Herald)
Massachusetts: Creative Endeavors Generate Millions for Local Economy (Telegram.com)
Lindsey’s Owner Cheri Lindsey Sponsors Middle School Drama Club Theatrical Excursion (Wicked Local)
Michigan: PARC Launches $30M Campaign to Renovate Facility, Build Theatre (Hometown Life)
Mississippi: A Young Gulfport Dancer Died Too Soon. But that’s Not the End of Her Story (Sun Herald)
Montana: Students Get in Tune with Ukuleles (Daily Interlake)
New Jersey: The Cast of Eagle Theatre’s ‘The Fantasticks’ Supports Arts Education (Broadway World)
Young Musicians Serenade Newark (New Jersey Stage)
New York: Grant Applications Sought by Chenango Arts Group (The Daily Star)
New York Summer Arts School Applications Being Taken (Kansas City Star)
Pennsylvania: South Fayette Names New School Superintendent (Trib Live)
South Carolina: SC Governor’s School Seeks Applicants (South Strand News)
Fort Mill Robotics, Theatre Students Combine Art, Science with Prop for Upcoming Show (Herald Online)
Texas: Theatre-Loving Dallasites Smash Fundraising Goal at Jazzy Musical Gala (Culture Map)
Utah: Smith Leaves the Kimball Art Center (Park Record)
Virginia: Turnaround Arts Program Kicks off in Richmond at Woodville Elementary School (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
Washington: Deborah L. Armstrong Named New Director of Education for Lakewood Playhouse’s Institute of Theatre Program (Broadway World)
Wyoming: Grants Awarded by Center of Wonder (Jackson Hole News & Guide)
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
United Kingdom: National Theatre Protest Held in Response to Sexual Harassment Cases (The Guardian)
How a Deaf Actor Launched the First Deaf-Led Theatre Company in the UK (Independent)
Canada: Central Manitoulin Public School Receives MusiCounts Grant to Purchase Instruments (Manitoulin Expositor)
Nepal: Street Dramas in all 77 Districts (My Republica)
WORTH READING
Camille A. Brown & Dancers Celebrate Black Girlhood, Social Dance in Upcoming Performances
Camille A. Brown is a storyteller. She speaks in many tongues: social dance, modern dance, clarinet, TED Talks, lectures, stage directions … the list goes on. But whatever languages she draws from, Brown’s art makes audiences want to listen. (The Daily Californian)
How to Build an Orchestra from Broken Instruments
The collection of misfit horns and damaged violins being played to draw attention to shortages in public funding for arts education. (The Atlantic)
Arts Education Makes Us Better People
On a recent weekend when I saw my ninth grade daughter in her school’s production of “The Three Musketeers,” I felt a kinship with that exuberant fan. It was not just the quality of the production or a father’s pride in his daughter’s performance that left me inspired; it also was that it served as a powerful reaffirmation of my belief in arts education. (Baltimore Sun)