Thank you to the many people who have been blog contributors to, and readers of ArtsBlog over the years. ArtsBlog has long been a space where we uplifted stories from the field that demonstrated how the arts strengthen our communities socially, educationally, and economically; where trends and issues and controversies were called out; and advocacy tools were provided to help you make the case for more arts funding and favorable arts policies.

As part of Americans for the Arts’ recent Strategic Realignment Process, we were asked to evaluate our storytelling communications platforms and evolve the way we share content. As a result, we launched the Designing Our Destiny portal to explore new ways of telling stories and sharing information, one that is consistent with our longtime practice of, “No numbers without a story, and no stories without a number.”

As we put our energy into developing this platform and reevaluate our communications strategies, we have put ArtsBlog on hold. That is, you can read past blog posts, but we are not posting new ones. You can look to the Designing Our Destiny portal and our news items feed on the Americans for the Arts website for stories you would have seen in ArtsBlog in the past.

ArtsBlog will remain online through this year as we determine the best way to archive this valuable resource and the knowledge you’ve shared here.

As ever, we are grateful for your participation in ArtsBlog and thank you for your work in advancing the arts. It is important, and you are important for doing it.


Mr. Joe Landon

Building a Statewide Network of Arts Education Advocates

Posted by Mr. Joe Landon, May 25, 2010 0 comments


Mr. Joe Landon

Joe Landon

When I joined the California Alliance for Arts Education as its policy director in 2006, they were savoring the hard earned victory that led to California’s historic investment in arts education, including the one time block grant shared with physical education, as well as the ongoing “Arts and Music” categorical funding.

But even then, the Alliance’s concern was shifting toward the question of how to sustain advocacy at the local level, where crucial decisions made by local school boards determine the quality, equity, and access of arts education in that school district.

When last year the state legislature gave local districts the ‘flexibility’ to spend the Arts and Music Block grant on whatever programs they considered most essential, the Alliance had already embarked on a project to build a local advocacy network in communities and districts throughout the state.

In the first year of this pilot program, we selected ten sites throughout the state, reflecting diverse communities, geographical areas, and economic conditions. Our goal was to gather the expertise around what would be required to foster an ongoing coalition of local leaders who share a commitment to build public understanding and support for the critical role of arts education in the development of every student.

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Lynn Tuttle

National Standards for the Arts

Posted by Lynn Tuttle, May 25, 2010 9 comments


Lynn Tuttle

Lynn Tuttle

Editor's Note: For the latest on the national arts education standards movement, read this post by Arts Education Council Member Lynne Kingsley published on 9/20/11!

In 1994, the professional associations representing dance, music, theatre, and visual arts teachers, collaborated on the creation of national Voluntary Arts Standards. The arts were the first subjects to create national voluntary standards.

Later this year, the National Governors Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) will release Common Core State Standards for Math and English Language Arts. 48 states have already agreed to adopt these new standards as the basis for their state-level standards in English and Mathematics. The Obama administration is rewarding points for implementation of Common Core Standards in its competitive education grants, including Race to the Top, and has signaled a continued interest in the Common Core Standards movement in their Blueprint for Reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.

In response to the interest around the Common Core State Standards initiative, and to the technological changes the arts and arts education have undergone in the last 15 years (I wasn’t blogging 15 years ago, were you??), the State Education Agency Directors of Arts Education (SEADAE) convened a meeting of national arts education stakeholders on May 11-12 to determine if the time is right to develop a new set of national standards. The resounding answer was “yes!”

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Alie Wickham

The Arts, Healthcare, and Leadership

Posted by Alie Wickham, May 25, 2010 0 comments


Alie Wickham

In response to "Leadership is a Verb - so Act on it!", Karin writes, "We need to remember that these industries need liaisons who are empathetic and understanding of both sides of the coin and can speak to both communities."

Now, I believe I know which two communities Karin is referring to.  However, Karin, if you read this and I am incorrect, please feel free to let me know.  The two communities that come to my mind from this response are:

1) Arts   2) Healthcare

It is true - the leaders of our field must understand both sides, equally, and have similar empathy for each of them.  The arts in healthcare are most impacting when they work as a compliment for one another. Just like in arts in education - they are most impacting when the artists understand what the educators need, and vice versa. Or with the Public Voice in Arts Advocacy - how can we even begin to describe the importance of the arts to politicians if we don't first allow the artists to understand the "behind-the-scenes" of politics - I'm sure there is a bulk of information in politics that we never hear. 

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Americans for the Arts

The Arts as a National Security Asset

Posted by Americans for the Arts, May 25, 2010 1 comment


Americans for the Arts

Brigadier General Nolen Bivens, U.S. Army, Ret.

Back in April, Brigadier General Nolen Bivens, U.S. Army, Ret., testified before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies to voice his support of National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) funding.  Recently, Gen. Bivens wrote a post entitled The Arts of War...and Peace on the NEA's blog highlighting why he believes the arts are important to the United States government’s ability to deal with the national security challenges it faces.  From his blog post:

Our armed forces are adjusting to an enemy that practices asymmetrical warfare. This threat demands creative and innovative responses: understanding local culture and protection of valuable and sensitive cultural treasures, such as those looted in the Baghdad Museum, can go a long way in helping our forces win the hearts and minds and maintain support among the citizenry; investments in cultural diplomacy can enable the arts community to partner with other U.S. government departments and agencies to prevent or prepare for post-conflict situations, and support stabilization; and support for our veterans in their healing and post-service via creative outlets can help support their path and transition to a civilian life.

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Ramona Baker

Crisis Management

Posted by Ramona Baker, May 25, 2010 0 comments


Ramona Baker

At some point all organizations will face a crisis. It is not a question of if but when. The organizations that survive do so because of good planning and execution. Too few organizations take the time to plan for crises, and those that do generally create contingency plans for occurrences involving physical damage or natural disasters. Few take the time to develop a plan for the most common crises organizations face, those involving their reputation or public perception.

There are a few simple steps that can increase the odds of survival. A communication plan that addresses these will ensure the organization moves forward with minimal damage to its standing in the community. Some require forethought, collecting material and developing lists, while others require assessment and judgment to know what next step to take.

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