August 24, 2010
IAAE is happy to announce that we have received notice from John Abodeely, Program Manager, National Partnerships, John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts that we have been awarded a grant to fund our BASICS (Bridging Arts Strategies in Communities & Schools) Program.
The BASICS Program is an initiative to select, train, develop and promote schools in three locations across the state to analyze and improve their arts education programs, beginning with an audit of these programs using Kennedy Center resources. A central focus of the program works to create community/business partners to support these programs and to implement a process to construct an Arts Education Strategic Plan toward these ends. Two of the schools, Davenport Community Schools and the Des Moines Public Schools are currently designated Kennedy Partnership Schools. The third school that will be part of the program is Grundy Center.
Training, which will begin in October in Des Moines, will be given to a Development Team of stakeholders, formed by the schools. The Development Team will include an administrator, a school board member, a business partner, a community supporter, four of their arts teachers in dance, theater, music, and the visual arts, a parent and a student. Four state arts teacher leaders representing each arts discipline will assist in the training including presenting a unit in their area. On the local level, a larger Task Force, including the initial Development Team will create and implement their Strategic Plan and action steps to build community/partnerships and improve the quality and support of their arts education programs.
Schools will receive continual assistance and assessment for all steps, including an on-site visit and input by the two project leaders. Schools meeting the final evaluation criteria for implementation will receive designation by the Iowa Alliance for Arts Education as a Model Arts Education School and become part of a network of resource sites for other schools to consult, regarding their own arts education program improvement. Funding from the Kennedy Center grant will provide financial support for the training, support, assessments and evaluations of the school's implementation of the program.
Arts in Education Week
The House Representatives have passed a Concurrent Resolution (no need for signature by the Pres.) declaring the week beginning on the second Sunday of September (beginning Sept. 12 this year) as Arts in Education Week. Plan now to celebrate the week at your school. Read the Resolution...
Arts Award Program for School Boards
Does your school board support the arts? Do you have an exceptional program you'd like to have recognized?
In cooperation with the the Iowa Association of School Boards (IASB), the Iowa Alliance for Arts Education is participating (for the 22nd year) in an awards program to recognize local school boards for outstanding support of the arts in education. Nominations are due on Oct. 15, 2010.
Read more...
IAAE: Focusing on You
August 6, 2010
Representatives of IAAE member organizations met in Des Moines to put their heads together to make sure that IAAE is the organization that you need and want. 
Present at the meeting, moderated by facilitator Sue McEntee, were these representatives.
Visual Arts: Cappie Dobyns, Ronda Sternhagen, Maggie Parks, Shanise Brockshus,Tony Onesto
Choral: Anna Lee
Band: Donna Angell, Rob Medd,
Music Educators: Martha Kroese,
Music Assoc.: Alan Greiner
IAAE Exec. Board: David Law, Diane Franken, Leon Kuehner, Robin Walenta, Ken Esveld, Nancy Sojka
There were two questions answered by members of the group:
1. Define what IAAE has done for arts education in Iowa in the past.
2. What do you think IAAE should do for you and what other things would you like IAAE to do for you/organization?
The day ended with several concise guidelines for the Executive Board to take action on. The highest ranked of those ideas included:
- Transparency: We want to make sure that everyone is informed about IAAE projects, ideas, and opportunities.
- Advocacy: We want to be advocates for all arts education in Iowa: music, visual arts, dance, speech/drama,...
- Membership: We want to clarify the value of your IAAE membership.