Theory in Action: 

Research to Results 

 

Arts|Learning is pleased to announce its upcoming symposium, Theory in Action:Research to Results and the 26^th Champions of Arts Education Advocacy Awards at the Gardner Auditorium of the Massachusetts Statehouse on May 24, 2012, 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM.

For the schedule of the day's events, plus registration information, please click here. 

17 outstanding advocates, including arts teachers, administrators, business, legislators, arts organizations, media, and students will be recognized and honored for their amazing work supporting & promoting arts education in dance, music, theatre arts, and visual arts.   

Well-known individuals being honored include Anita Walker, MA Cultural Council Executive Director; Peter H. Reynolds, author and illustrator of such famous books as The Dot and Ish (who will give a reading of one of his books and talk about fostering creativity), MA Senator Stanley Rosenberg, MA Representative Alice Peisch, Music Drives Us Foundation founder Ernie Boch, Jr., and many others.

 







Pictures, from top to bottom:
Anita Walker, MCC Executive Director
Peter H. Reynolds, Fablevision Founder
MA Senator Stan Rosenberg
MA Representative Alice Peisch
Ernie Boch, Jr., Music Drives Us Foundation

The May 24 Symposium will focus on the theme, Theory in Action: Research to Results. Experts will present examples of best practices in arts and general education, such as Priscilla Kane Hellwig of the Enchanted Circle Theatre in Holyoke on community arts partnerships; Dr. Benedict Smar of UMass Amherst on Understanding by Design curriculum planning; Jodie Nelson, Instructional Resource Specialist, Brockton High School, on interdisciplinary arts instruction; and Nicole Agois Hurel and Kati Blair Kotrc of VSA MA who will present the Universal Design for Learning model.   

Each presenter will give an overview of her/his area of expertise during a morning panel, and in the afternoon, participants may choose one of these four practices for a more in-depth view during a break-out session, which will be participatory in nature.  Come prepared for lively discussions!  

To register for the Symposium, please click here! 

On May 24th, one hour will be set aside for attendees to visit legislative offices and speak to each person's state senator and house representative about the importance of arts education. This will be especially timely, as the MA Senate will be in full session that day discussing the state's budget for next year.  

To easily look up your legislator information, we suggest you use the Americans for the Arts website. You can call your legislator's office in advance of May 24 and ask to have an appointment; if s/he is not available, please arrange to speak with a legislative aide instead. We will have different talking points ready for you that morning.

One very good piece of advice--come prepared to tell a compelling, short 2-minute story from your own personal experience of what arts education has meant to you, relatives, or children you teach. 

Please click here to register for the May 24th Symposium.