How sharing best practices and collaborating with the
community can help to overcome shared obstacles
ARTS IN EDUCATION SURVEY
THEMES
ONE THING IS CERTAIN…LEHIGH VALLEY ARTS
EDUCATORS UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF
THEIR WORK
(95% BELIEVE THAT ART EDUCATION IS ESSENTIAL TO LEARNING
IN OTHER SUBJECT AREAS)…
“If for no other reason, art education will make students more visually literate and that will
continue to be an important kind of intelligence for young people to acquire and hone.”
“Creative thinking and exploration supports the processes of ‘thinking outside the box’ which
aids in problem solving, confidence, and communicative skills.”
…and support their students’ artistic endeavors
(80% present exhibits or performances that are open to the community)…
BUT AS BUDGET CUTS HAVE
MEANT 1 OR LESS FIELD TRIPS
FOR 75% OF ARTS PROGRAMS…
“We used to take three but our funding was cut”…
“We may not have the funds for even one trip this year”…
“One if we are lucky”…
…art educators need now, more than ever, to think outside the
box and utilize these low cost, but effective, means to broaden
the impact of art in your students’ worlds…
COLLABORATE TO WRITE CURRICULUM
ACROSS SUBJECT AREAS
(40% OR EDUCATORS ARE ALREADY BENEFITING
FROM COLLABORATION)…
“We write in all curriculum areas. We use writing to explain understanding
as well to explore possibilities!”
“I work with social studies teachers on incorporating music into their classes
and research into mine”
“I have collaborated with the science and history department in relation to
their subject in order to connect art projects to covered ideas and objectives”
MARKET, ADVERTISE, AND ENCOURAGE
YOUR STUDENTS TO ATTEND THE VISUAL
AND PERFORMING ARTS EVENTS OUTSIDE
OF SCHOOL THAT OVER 75% OF ARTS
EDUCATORS ATTEND…
Muhlenberg Center for the Arts…State Theatre…Allentown Museum of
Art…Mayfair…Allentown Symphony…DeSales University
performances…public concerts - community bands in parks…Lehigh
Arts Alliance events and workshops…First Fridays in Bethlehem
…faculty art show at the Baum School…Mock Turtle Marionette
Theatre…PA Youth Theatre…
INVOLVE YOUR STUDENTS IN ARTIST
RESIDENCY OR COMMUNITY ART
PROJECTS
(44% ALREADY DO)…
“Debra Dick came and taught Calligraphy. IT WAS WONDERFUL!!”
“At East Hills, the three art teachers plan a day with Kutztown
University where all 8th graders work with Kutztown students
(studying to be art teachers) on projects…. The response from the
8th grade students is amazing! They love it!...It's great for Kutztown
students, as well.”
“Each year or every other year there has been an artist and
residency at our elementary school”
AND A HUGE THANKS GOES OUT TO THE 48.5% OF LEHIGH
VALLEY PTOS/PTAS THAT TIRELESSLY SUPPORT THEIR
SCHOOLS ARTS PROGRAMS…
…BUT SINCE MANY ART EDUCATORS DO NOT RECEIVE THE
SUPPORT, OR ARE UNAWARE OF ANY SUPPORT OF THE PTO/PTA
(52%)…
“We do not have an active PTO”
“I have not heard one way or another if they support or not”
“[Support] is dependent on their funds”
…you may be the only artistic outlet or the only path
to the world of arts in your students’ lives…
…LOOK TO PARTICIPATE IN AN ARTS
ORGANIZATIONS TO CONTINUE TO BE
ABREAST OF WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE
COMMUNITY…AS 25% OF YOU DO…
MENC…PMEA…ACDA…Easton State Theater…Allentown
Symphony…Allentown Art Museum…ArtsQuest…Lehigh
Valley Arts Council…Lehigh Valley Couturiere
Society…Chasonnette Theatre Company…Bach Choir…
…OUR HOPE IS THAT YOU UTILIZE THIS
WORKSHOP AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO
FURTHER COLLABORATE AND SHARE
BEST PRACTICES.
THE LEHIGH VALLEY ARTS COUNCIL IS
HAPPY TO ASSIST IN FACILITATING THAT
COLLABORATION.
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.