Earlier this year, in April 2021, the Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the EU organized the Porto Santo Conference titled, “From Democratization to Cultural Democracy: Rethinking Institutions and Practices.” The two-day hybrid (in-person and online) event brought together major European cultural networks and non-governmental organizations to generate policy recommendations focused on advancing and strengthening democracy at the nexus of arts, culture, and education.
Read moreIt’s Only the Beginning: Introducing the “Where Do We Go From Here” Reflection
The year 2020 forcibly exposed anti-Blackness in America and led to civil unrest across the United States in response to the pandemic of racism and White Supremacy. In our sector, communities are now experiencing a new kind of revolution where the goal of a complete arts and cultural education is intertwined with the continued struggle for freedom from oppression and fight for equality. Therefore, this project – and the team working on it - desired to elevate the knowledge of leaders from communities engaged in conversations about the intersection or race, power, culture, and learning.
Read moreUnlearning Ageism: Expanding the Definition of Mentorship in Arts & Cultural Education
In this model, each individual’s experience is honored from their own lived experiences. As an asset-based approach to mentorship, focus is placed on individual strengths and the diversity in thought, culture, and traits. We must ask ourselves, is that not essentially what arts education aims to do: amplify creative practices and embolden the perspectives of young people for the benefit of communities?
Co-organizing an Arts & Cultural Management Conference through COVID
I had the opportunity to volunteer as a co-organizer for the Arts & Cultural Management Conference 2021 (ACMC), which took place January 28 to 30 completely online—the first time in its short history. It was a valuable experience for me because it emphasized the importance of cultivating networks and facilitating open platforms for decision-making and discussion—notably, not for superficial purposes, but as a way to build (digital) community especially in times of COVID-19.
Read moreResponding to UNESCO's nine ideas for public action in education in a post-COVID world
The future of education, in my opinion, would be more fruitful and fulfilling to students if a more purposeful use of artistic skills, processes, and experiences are used as an educational tool to foster learning in non-artistic disciplines like the sciences at the same time better supporting their social emotional learning. With both tools in their kit, educators will be able to go full STEAM ahead.
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