Community Involvement in Arts Education: A Case Study

Drama in Education and Self-Directed Learning for Adults

“…Despite their apparent continued neglect in mainstream educational circles (Rademaker, 2003), the arts are finding a growing niche in adult education, where art is seen as a way of knowing that 'releases the imagination' (Greene, 1995), allowing creative learning to emerge. Indeed, the arts are attributed with expanding the boundaries for knowing, learning, and comprehending culture, and numerous studies testify to the role of the arts in developing multi-skilling, memory retention, and increasing concentration and enjoyment of learning (Manning, Verenikina, and Brown, 2010;Merriam, Caffarella, and Baumgartner, 2007;Yorks and Kasl, 2002).…”

Twilight in the Valley of the Sun: Nonprofit Arts and Culture Programs in Arizona's Public Schools Post—No Child Left Behind

“…Some scholars (Blakeslee 2004;Burnaford 2007;Chapman 2005b;Council of Chief State School Officers [CCSSO] 2002;Eisner 2000;Rademaker 2003;Siegesmund 2002;Welch 2006) thought these standards might help professionalize the field and interpreted the move as progress for disciplines consistently perceived as valuable sources of exposure, enrichment, entertainment, exploration, recreation, and reward, rather than cognitive development. This perception has persisted despite the efforts of those arts advocates who tirelessly argue that learning about the arts can be analytically demanding and can help students learn other subject areas (Blakeslee 2004;Chapman 1992Chapman , 2005aChapman , 2005bConstantino 2003;CCSSO 2002;Eisner 2000;Goodlad 2000;Graham et al 2002;Henry 2002;Hicks 2001Hicks , 2004Hope 2006;Mishook and Kornhaber 2006;Perrin 1994;Rademaker 2003;Rowe et al 2004;Siegesmund 2002;Straub 1994;Ulbricht 2005;Welch 2006;Winner and Hetland 2001).…”

“…the decline in curricular arts education and help keep the arts alive, particularly for students in high-needs schools (Andrews 2006;Hope 2006;Rademaker 2003;Rowe et al 2004;Welch 2006). However, some partnerships are disregarded on the basis that they lack high-quality content in the arts (Colwell 2005) and instead offer superficial, primarily after-school and extracurricular programs (NCES 2002).…”

“…Communities in which arts and culture are a significant part of the infrastructure reap the benefits of economic growth by luring businesses and jobs as well as attracting tourists (Americans for the Arts 2007; Galligan and Burgess 2005;Rademaker 2003;Straub 1994;Welch 2006). Community leaders and policymakers should position the arts at the center of the community and engage in public relations campaigns to change public opinion and attitudes.…”

“…Professional researchers might help organization personnel plan programs, collect data, evaluate programs, and use data to further market the organizations' programs, especially if funds are not available for a marketing staff. Such data would be crucial to sustain funding and gain additional support, and, of course, to fine-tune and improve educational programs and dissolve ineffective programs more efficiently (Burnaford 2007;Chapman 2005a;Clark 2002;Constantino 2003;Hanley 2003;Mishook and Kornhaber 2006;Rademaker 2003;Rowe et al 2004;Siegesmund 2002;Strauch-Nelson 2006;Welch 2006;Winner and Hetland 2001).…”