From 2021-2022, a collaborative project between Creative Generation and ElevateArtsEd emerged to better understand how practitioners - such as artists, educators, community leaders, and more - can make the case for and also advocate through arts and cultural education to drive systemic change and address the complex challenges faced by communities.
This project seeks to learn from the arts as well as other sectors about the characteristics of effective advocacy and how to utilize these lessons to inform ongoing efforts. The foundation of this work represents both the science of advocacy - building blocks for understanding what effective advocacy looks like - and the art of advocacy with calls for improvisation, adaptability, and generative thinking, all characteristics of art-making.
The Resource Center aggregates perspectives from the fields of culture, education, and social change on the topics of advocacy, case-making, and systems change. It includes an overview of documented knowledge, annotated bibliography, and a suite of essays. Check them out below!
This section contains key publications, summaries of findings, and more.
This section contains thought-provoking essays to spark ideas and momentumtfowards action.
This section contains the stories of practitioners and their work making the case and driving systems change in their communities..
TAKE ACTION NOW!
Step 1: Get started with Introduction To Case-making And Systems Change in Arts & Cultural Education.
Step 2: Learn more. Select one or more of the other essays or the research; each publication provides a big picture perspective!
Step 3: Take Action. Share this resource with your networks. Start a conversation. Or contribute a story on the blog.
Step 4: Contact Creative Generation to schedule a workshop on Case-making & Systems Change!
Latest News & Updates
This project is dedicated to the memory of Kathryn Lynch, longtime lobbyist, champion, and friend to arts education in California. Kathy was a mentor to many in the arts education field, including Laurie T. Schell, author of “Case-making and Systems Change in Arts and Cultural Education.” Kathy guided advocates in the art of the possible in the public policy arena. For the author, two enduring lessons from Kathy are: 1) Policy change is a long game; and 2) Without strong relationships and continued advocacy there is no game at all.
About Creative Generation
Creative Generation believes that youth create change. We are a values-forward, global collective that collaborates with young creatives and those who cultivate their creativity to take local actions towards global changes in pursuit of a more just world. Founded in 2019, Creative Generation operates five signature programs: The Campaign for a Creative Generation, The Institute for Creative Social Transformation, The Academy for Creative Leadership, The Incubator for Creative Impact, and The Foundation for a Creative Generation. Learn more at www.Creative-Generation.org.
About Laurie Schell Associates | ElevateArtsEd
Laurie Schell Associates | ElevateArtsEd is a knowledge building and consulting organization, providing services and issue expertise to arts advocates, school districts, nonprofits, cultural and philanthropic organizations. The ElevateArtsEd website illuminates effective practices in arts education advocacy and seeks to inspire a new generation of advocates. Published articles address issues in arts education advocacy, such as coalition building, partnerships, governance and strategic planning, funding, and communications. Learn more at www.ElevateArtsEd.com.