Create a shared vision for arts education programming through an inclusive and ongoing planning process.
Create a shared vision for arts education programming through an inclusive and ongoing planning process
Within the Studio to School principles, “programming” includes all types of arts education: the individual programs, activities and opportunities that foster student learning in and through the arts (e.g., orchestra, theatre, media artist residency).
A shared vision ensures that everyone is working toward the same goals and clarifies why arts education is important. It also gives everyone involved a common understanding of what programming should look like and why it has value, setting the stage for a strong, ongoing commitment to arts education.
Inclusive and transparent planning heightens engagement and relevance. Proactive planning aligns arts programming with the broader vision of the school, district and community. The vision and plans should routinely be revisited and adjusted so that they remain relevant as community needs evolve.
Principle in practice
Sisters project team and community members display their vision for arts education in Sisters.
At the inception of its Studio to School project, the Sisters Folk Festival and Sisters School District team held a series of meetings with a large group of stakeholders— including community members and representatives from the school and school district—to shape a vision for K-12 arts education that would align with broader district and school priorities.
The initial group included Sisters Science Club members, whose insights about brain development and the arts reinforced the value of arts education and the group’s shared sense of purpose.
Despite school and district staff changes over the course of the project, early broadened support beyond the core team and clarified intentions across the district and community.
