MA Education Secretary to Host Community Forums  

Education Secretary Paul Reville has announced that he is hosting two public forums to solicit feedback that will inform the Patrick-Murray Administration's Fiscal Year 2013 budget for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

This is a great opportunity for Arts Educators to urge the Governor to create a line item in the state budget to support arts education and to encourage other policies that will strengthen the role of arts education in a well-rounded education.   

Secretary Reville will present the context for the FY13 state budget and gather valuable comment from members of the public about their priorities for funding. The forums will begin with a short overview presentation by the Secretary, followed by an opportunity for audience members to provide testimony to Secretary Reville and other members of the Patrick-Murray Administration. Feedback received during these forums will help inform the development of the state's FY13 budget. The two meetings will be held:

Tuesday, December 13, 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Worcester State University, Student Center, 486 Chandler Street, Worcester, Massachusetts

Tuesday, December 20, 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Department of Early Education and Care, 51 Sleeper Street, 4th Floor, Boston, Massachusetts 

You do not need to RSVP to attend this meeting.  Written testimony will also be accepted and can be mailed to the Executive Office of Education, 1 Ashburton Place, Room 1403, Boston, MA 02108. ATTN: Heather Johnson

Help Bring More Arts & Culture to Classrooms!

The MA Cultural Council is seeking additional state funds this fiscal year to help bring more arts and culture to classrooms through their STARS Residencies program. If you are:

• A teacher or principal who wants to expand opportunities for creative arts, science, and history learning for your students.
• An arts, science or history educator who wants to work with schools, or
• A nonprofit cultural organization that wants to build or expand relationships with Massachusetts schools:

Please fill out this brief online survey by Dec. 21, 2011.

Your participation will help the MCC make the case to the Governor and the Legislature to bring arts education, and creative learning in the sciences and humanities, to more Massachusetts students this school year!

Highest consideration is given to those programs in need of basic materials such as instruments and sheet music, programs serving economically disadvantaged students, programs involving innovative educational reform, and programs with established partnerships with parent-teacher-student associations and other community groups.

Music education - vocal or instrumental - must be the key component of any music program requesting funds. Applications will be accepted from public school programs (qualifying for Title I federal funding and serving a minimum of 50 percent low-income students) and nonprofit 501(c)(3) programs directly funding music education (serving students regardless of their ability to pay).  Applicant schools and programs must already employ at least one music educator and have an existing music program in place. Grant requests must articulate specific needs for existing and/or planned programs.

Grants will be made in amounts of up to $6,000.  Complete grant guidelines, the application form, and an FAQ are available at the foundation Web site.

Link to Complete RFP 

National Symphony Orchestra applications due:

The Kennedy Center and the National Symphony Orchestra are announcing their summer institute, to be held July 2-30, 2012. This opportunity is for musicians 15-20 years of age and includes master classes and seminars, private lessons and coaching by NSO members. The deadline for applications is January 27, 2012. For more information, please visit www.kennedy-center.org/nso/nsoed/smi.