Adlai E. Stevenson High School Recognized by Kennedy Center

John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts National Schools of Distinction in Arts
Education for their work during the 2009-2010 school year. The award recognizes schools that have made the arts an essential part of their students’ education. Stevenson H.S. was nominated by the Illinois Alliance for Arts Education. Selection criteria at the national level includes a review of the ways in which arts education is an essential component of the school curriculum; how the program creates and uses imaginative learning environments for teaching and learning in, through and about the arts; how the arts program provides opportunities for parental involvement in education; how the program provides opportunities for learning about other cultures through the arts; and how the program links arts education to community cultural resources.The full press release has more information on all the honored schools.

Amber Harper Recognized by Kennedy Center

IAAE Board member Amber Harper was recognized for her three years of service on the National Leadership Committee. The KCAAEN Network Leadership Committee (NLC) consists of eight elected members of the State Alliance for Arts Education network. This committee advises the Kennedy Center and the coalition of State Alliances on program policies and content. Thank you for your service, Amber!

Neuqua Valley High School Recognized by Kennedy Center!

Congratulations to the Neuqua Valley Fine Arts Department who were chosen as one of five John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts National Schools of Distinction in Arts Education award winners for the 2008-2009 school year. The award recognized schools that have made the arts an essential part of their students’ education.  Each school received a monetary award to support their arts education program. NVHS was the only public high school in the nation to be recognized in 2009.

Troubled Teens Explore Their Artistic Side

This article from Edutopia examines a San Francisco program for juvenile offenders that fosters creativity, literacy, and freedom of expression through hip-hop. More details here.

Six practical reasons arts education is more than a luxury

A recent conference on “Neuroeducation: Learning, Arts and the Brain, ” co-hosted by Johns Hopkins University and the Dana Foundation, brought together researchers looking at educational implications of brain research on the arts and cognition. Daniel Willingham explored 6 reasons the arts are more than a luxury. More details here.