No single organization can evolve, adopt and successfully champion a statewide arts education policy platform. The work ahead will require the active participation of many different people. Whether you are a parent, a teacher, a principal, a legislator, an administrator or an individual who believes in the value of arts education, you can make a difference.

An easy way for to get involved is to first sign on to the coalition, either online or by calling the Illinois Arts Alliance at 312-855-3105 x11.

Here are a few ideas on how you can make a difference:

State Leadership

□   Support policy development and enact legislation that guarantees sequential K-12 arts education for all Illinois students.
□   Identify funding to ensure that all Illinois public schools can offer quality instruction in the arts.
□   Develop reasonable tests that measure the performance of students and schools against the Illinois Fine Arts Learning Standards, and require school districts to administer and report assessment scores to measure adequate yearly progress for all public schools.

School District Superintendents and Principals

□   Join the Illinois Creates coalition
□   Provide leadership and support for arts education.
□   Develop a strategic plan for comprehensive arts education to measure the effectiveness of your existing arts education programs, identify areas for improvement and establish a realistic timeline for improving arts education programs in your district or school.
□   Host or co-host a forums to discuss arts education with members of your community.
□   Organize a local arts education coalition, task force or advisory committee consisting of school board members, arts education instructors, other teachers, local arts councils, artists, arts organizations and parents.
□   Develop and implement policies, long-term and short-term goals, corresponding budgets and assessment tools to measure student learning in the arts.
□   Allocate funds for professional development for teachers.
□   Contribute information and updates on arts education activities in your school(s) to quarterly Illinois Creates electronic newsletter.

Arts teachers and classroom teachers

□   Join the Illinois Creates coalition
□   Participate in stakeholder forums and advocacy training on arts education in your area.
□   Urge your school board or district to form a committee to develop a strategic plan for arts education.
□   Organize or join a local arts education coalition, task force or committee.
□   Contribute information and updates on arts education activities in your area to quarterly Illinois Creates electronic newsletter.
□   Respond and encourages others in your organization to respond to arts education action e-advocacy alerts when arts education funding or issues are at stake.
□   Keep your legislators and members of congress and other key decision-makers informed of arts education programs, activities and issues in your districts
□   Continually refine and improve the instruction you are providing in the arts.

Institutions of Higher Learning

□   Join the Illinois Creates coalition
□   Host and participate in local stakeholder forums, panel discussions and events on arts education.
□   Provide professional development in the arts for general classroom teachers and arts specialists.
□   Offer technical support for arts education curricula development and the creation of arts assessment tools.
□   Be sure arts coursework is included in the high school GPA calculations used to determine eligibility for enrollment.
□   Require at least one unit of credit in the arts be required for entrance in all Illinois institutions of higher learning.

Parents, Community Leaders and Supporters

□   Join the Illinois Creates coalition
□   Speak with your child’s principal, school board, and/or superintendent about improving arts programs and supporting policies for arts education.
□   Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper regarding your concerns or proposals regarding arts education policies and programs. Or, write a letter about how a school art program has affected your child in a positive way.
□   Contact your legislators through letters or e-mails to communicate your concern for arts education; or, schedule a meeting with him or her to discuss these issues.
□   Serve on local arts education advocacy coalitions, task forces or parent advisory committee.
□   Contribute information and updates on arts education activities in your area to the Illinois Creates quarterly Illinois Creates electronic newsletter.
□   Respond and encourage others in your organization to respond to arts education action e-advocacy alerts when arts education funding or issues are at stake by writing to the governor, your congressmen and your representative in the state legislature and other decision-makers.
□   Tell your story. Why do you support arts education? Your personal testimonial about the value of arts education can be a compelling and powerful advocacy tool. Please share your personal arts education story with us. Illinois Creates can use your testimonial in for use in newsletters, stories in the news media, stakeholder forums and legislative hearings and meetings. To share your story email julie@artsalliance.org.
□   Organize a community forum on arts education in your areas.

 

IAA Home

Illinois Arts Alliance/Foundation
203 North Wabash
Suite 1920
Chicago, Illinois 60601
Phone: 312.855.3105   Fax: 312.855.1565
info@artsalliance.org