Session 1: What are the qualities of a quality Arts Education? Mission Upcoming Program Sessions October 24, 2014 November 5, 2014 November 19, 2014 December 6, 2014 LA Convergence
Education Policy and Decision Making: Regional, Statewide, and National education Trends, Laws, and Initiatives Understanding Data and Mapping Resources in Youth Community Taking Leadership and Taking Action Arts for LA!s mission is to foster a healthy environment in which arts and culture may thrive and be accessible to all in Los Angeles County. Our mission statement is supported by our vision and statement of values. 1
2 1 Arts for LA launched its first session of ACTIVATE Advocacy Leadership Program on Wednesday, October 8, 2014 welcoming forty participants from all over Los Angeles County. An opening session on Qualities of a Quality Arts Education provided a new way to analyze what a quality arts education looks like. Speakers Talia Gibas, Manager at Arts for All and Megan Kirkpatrick, Senior Manager at Arts for All, engaged the session with the idea of looking at education through four different lenses introducing Project Zero, The Qualities of Quality Understanding Excellence in Arts Education by the Harvard School of Education. The idea of looking at arts education through four lenses opened up a discussion of the different ways education is viewed. Participants were Making a difference in Arts Education: ACTIVATE Opening Session 2 asked to close their eyes and imagine an arts class full of students, resources, activities, and all the elements that contribute to a successful arts education. The activities and presentation on Project Zero were extremely informative. It also highlighted the importance of using data to drive our pedagogical discussions, said ACTIVATE participant, Guillermo Aviles- Rodriguez. The activity illustrated the technique from Project Zero, The Qualities of Quality Understanding Excellence in Arts Education of approaching arts education through a variety of methods implementing the quality of education seen from the lens of student learning and community dynamics. The combinations of distinctive ideas incited ACTIVATE participants to 3 consider advocacy projects that can communicate through the different arts education lenses. Participants represent a varied geographical area of Los Angeles County ranging from the districts of Burbank, Centinela, Claremont, Compton, East Whittier, El Rancho, Palms, Pasadena, South Pasadena, Rosemead, Manhattan Beach, Wiseburn, and Los Angeles. ACTIVATE Advocacy Leadership Program initiated with a thought provoking session on the quality of arts education creating a space where participants can continue to thrive to make a difference in education in the Los Angeles County.