The Maine DOE is collaborating with the Maine Arts Commission to establish a statewide inventory of all arts education programs and resources in the state’s 754 prekindergarten through 12th grade schools. Data collection has just begun and will continue through May 2016.
The survey is to be completed by each principal. If you are a principal and have not completed the survey, you can do so here. Students in Wisdom High School’s Student Leaders in the Arts Movement (SLAM!) have created a short video to encourage school leaders to complete the survey. You can watch the video here.
The objectives and outcomes of the Statewide Arts Education Census include:
- Identifying the changes in Maine’s visual and performing arts education programs and resources since the 2009 census.
- Discovering where students have access to arts education and where it is unavailable.
- Development of a comprehensive report to inform stakeholders and policy makers at both the local and state levels.
- Broad sharing of the census findings so that it can be used to frame conversations, evaluate where programs or program enhancements are needed, and guide decisions related to professional development.
Maine’s award winning singer-songwriter Noel Paul Stookey is serving as the champion for the Statewide Arts Education Census. Mr. Stookey of Peter, Paul, and Mary is acting as honorary chair advocating for the census and arts education throughout the process.
The census project is supported by funding from Jane’s Trust, Maine Community Foundation, Maine Department of Education and the New England Institute for Teacher Education.
For more information contact Maine DOE Visual and Performing Arts Specialist Beth Lambert at beth.lambert@maine.gov or visit the arts education census web page.