BRIDGING: Professional Identities in Arts & Cultural Education: “Arts Hybrids” as Cultural Knowledge Brokers

In a world of specialists and standardized job titles, society writ large fails to recognize that innovation is often sparked at the intersections of domains - squarely in the sweet spot where many of us in the arts & cultural education ecosystem constantly find ourselves. We are multihyphenates.

Read more

NAVIGATING: Continue Onto Arts Route 101, The Destination Is On Your Right

Many of us are digesting the fact that two years have passed since COVID-19 altered our ways of life. Sometimes I wait for the end credits to roll for this unusual era that seems movie-like or for Ashton Kutcher to scream, “YOU GOT PUNK’D!” And if you recently saw Don’t Look Up (highly-recommend), directed by Adam McKay, you would see parallels. In my opinion, 2020 highlighted that our current systems and the people who operate within them are not alright.

Read more

The Value of Multiple Perspectives in Advocacy

This article explores the meaning of perspective in making the case for the arts and arts education. It underscores the importance of advocacy that sees the larger system while working within a local context. Three perspectives are described which are most often represented in arts, culture, and arts education advocacy: “practitioner advocate,” “field-builder advocate,” and “policy advocate.” Each group has its constituents, ranging from teachers to corporate citizens to national advocacy coalitions. Effective advocacy is accomplished by understanding first where you are, then embracing perspectives beyond your own. Using the metaphor of being in the balcony or on the dance floor to describe the vantage points of different perspectives, the article makes the point that it is time for casemakers and systems-changers to combine their perspectives to drive the changes they wish to see in the creative education of our youth. The article concludes with four recommended strategies and guiding questions for connecting multiple points of view, enabling everyone’s ability to see the bigger picture while acting locally: Enhance your perspective; own your expertise; embrace learning; and commit to action.

Read more

NAVIGATING: Expanding Organizational Reach and Response through Adaptive Capacity Building

It is safe to say that the COVID-19 pandemic has affected our lives in different ways. From stay-at-home orders, unemployment, mask wearing, social distancing, to rising infection and death rates, are just a few ways that may have impacted you directly or indirectly over the past two years. We have also developed new phrases that one would only understand because of living in this time from “you’re on mute,” to “which vaccine did you get?” to “pivoting to a new normal.” It has changed the way we work, learn, move, interact and view the world.

Read more

NAVIGATING: Make Them Hear You: Navigating A Rapidly Changing World With Guidance from Youth Musician and 2SLGBTQIA+ Leader

Last week, I shared with you a bit about my friend and creative co-conspirator, Luke Chacko (LINK FROM BLOG POST), and their inspiring story using music to address the challenges faced by many young people today, especially 2SLGBTQIA+ youth.

Read more