A4A aims to serve all PreK-12 students in Washington public schools, along with their families, educators, and teaching artists. This encompasses 1.1 million students spread across 295 school districts and 6 state-tribal education-compact schools in urban, suburban, and rural Washington. Our project is currently analyzing statewide education data, like course offerings, enrollment, etc. We aim to publish findings annually to inform and empower both local and statewide arts education initiatives.
At A4A, we believe:
The A4A project is dedicated to increasing arts learning participation for underserved students in every region of the state. Students who face persistent and disproportionate barriers to arts learning include:
Arts education is uplifting and provides students with new ways to express themselves while boosting self-confidence. Inequities in arts education can also arise based on the accessibility of resources for educators or schools. For instance, although students in urban areas may have general access to arts education, they might not have proper resources for equitable distribution. As another example, students in rural areas may not have enough educators to provide quality arts education. A4A strives to champion the unique needs of each student with specific attention on the schools and students that have persistent gaps in access.
At A4A, we believe:
- Every young person in Washington deserves access to arts education.
- Arts for All brings together people, organizations, and communities inclusive of Indigenous voices and tribal nations, to ensure all young people can access arts learning from Pre-K to 12th grade and as required by law.
- Arts learning helps young people grow their life skills, develop communication and critical thinking abilities, improve academic performance, access career options, and connect with cultures and communities.
The A4A project is dedicated to increasing arts learning participation for underserved students in every region of the state. Students who face persistent and disproportionate barriers to arts learning include:
- Students who have low scores on standardized tests and are required to take additional math or reading courses.
- Multilingual students who are required to take additional English Language Development classes. -Students in rural areas and small school districts.
- Students receiving special education services. -Students that are neurodiverse. -Students from Adverse Childhood Experiences.
- Families and students impacted by poverty. All of these students can benefit greatly from culturally responsive arts education if given sufficient access.
Arts education is uplifting and provides students with new ways to express themselves while boosting self-confidence. Inequities in arts education can also arise based on the accessibility of resources for educators or schools. For instance, although students in urban areas may have general access to arts education, they might not have proper resources for equitable distribution. As another example, students in rural areas may not have enough educators to provide quality arts education. A4A strives to champion the unique needs of each student with specific attention on the schools and students that have persistent gaps in access.
The Admin Team
A4A Goals
Educator Support: A4A will identify and expand instructional and institutional strategiesthat close opportunity gaps for students in arts education. Activities during this performance period include: -Professional learning opportunities for educators focused on culturally responsive teaching methods and reclaiming indigenous knowledge. -Resources that increase teacher understanding of arts education policy and implementation strategies.
Data and Research: A4A will continue to collect data that identifies areas of success and gaps in arts education. Activities include:
Collective Action: A4A will sustain and grow a statewide coalition that includes regional leaders, artists, educators, Brown Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) educational leaders, and students. Activities include the development of:
Student Empowerment: A4A will expand arts education for all students, resulting in increased cultural connections and avenues for student expression, higher graduation rates, and clear pathways between schools and opportunities within the creative economy. Activities include:
Data and Research: A4A will continue to collect data that identifies areas of success and gaps in arts education. Activities include:
- Add district data from the school year 2023-2024 to WA Arts Education DataDashboard.
- Partner with district-level arts leaders to refine reporting practices.
- Implement communications strategies that make engagement accessible to all communities.
Collective Action: A4A will sustain and grow a statewide coalition that includes regional leaders, artists, educators, Brown Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) educational leaders, and students. Activities include the development of:
- Action plan and coalition roles for 2025-2027 aligned with the A4A logic model.
- Arts education policy and research toolkit.
- Engagement with statewide A4A champions.
Student Empowerment: A4A will expand arts education for all students, resulting in increased cultural connections and avenues for student expression, higher graduation rates, and clear pathways between schools and opportunities within the creative economy. Activities include:
- Student engagement in shared decision-making with the coalition.
- Expanding the geographic and demographic reach of the WA Youth Arts Leadership Program.
Strategic Planning
Coming soon!