A growing body of research is proving what arts advocates have always known: arts education helps children to develop and learn, and to acquire the assets they need to succeed. The arts help children develop vital, higher-level skills that are essential to success in school and the workplace. In addition, an arts education helps students to learn other subjects and the assessment methods used in the arts can better measure achievement in these subjects.
Why the Arts? [a pdf presentation by Lorrie Heagy (Alaska Teacher of the Year for 2011) on the impact the arts have on students - academically, socially, and cognitively.]
To ensure strong, effective and innovative arts education programs across the state, Alaska ICE has collaborated with the Alaska Arts Education Consortium (AAEC) as a member and to share resources and responsibilities for various art institutes and workshops to bring Alaska’s teachers training and support in the arts to help them meet curriculum goals. We continue to seek opportunities to work together in the future to expand our efforts in arts education.
“We need purpose, place and meaning in education in Alaska. Our children and youth need to ‘step out,’ have visions and dreams, do things differently, gain confidence and become risk takers. Students NEED the arts. The arts can change children’s lives.”
- former Alaska Commissioner of Education
Tiles from Dillingham community mural
Alaska ICE has consistently found the arts a highly effective tool for building assets in youth, creating positive youth-adult relationships, engaging students in learning, and strengthening relationships between schools and communities. Alaska ICE sponsors trainings for artists, educators and community members to promote community engagement through the arts, and funds youth-adult projects that build assets and promote community engagement. AASB also partners with the Alaska Arts Education Consortium to promote the integration of the arts into schools and classrooms through professional development for educators.
Find out more about arts research through Glacier Valley’s Art is Elementary website. Glacier Valley is also the home of Juneau Alaska Music Matters (JAMM), an El Sistema-inspired music program that offers Juneau’s youth early access to instrumental instruction through school and community partnerships.. Find out more about JAMM here.
The arts play an important role in learning, child development and the improvement of Alaska’s schools. Arts education and community partnerships have proven to be highly effective tools for building assets in youth, creating positive youth-adult relationships and enriching children’s lives. The annual Artist Training of Promoters workshop facilitated by AASB staff each spring provides the opportunity for participants to apply for project funding in their home communities. Find out more about the Arts TOPs and community arts projects here.
Another Alaska ICE grant offering that combines youth-adult collaboration is youth-led service projects. Several projects over the years have used art as the vehicle to enrich and strengthen community ties. A few examples can be seen here.
Links to Arts Resources:
ARTSEDGE — the National Arts and Education Network
Keep Arts in Schools
National Endowment for the Arts
Americans for the Arts
Alaska Arts Education Consortium