Laurie T. Schell

Sr. Specialist, Content & Training

Focus: Curiosity & Learning

Laurie Schell (she/her) serves as the Sr. Specialist for Content & Training with a focus on curiosity and learning. In this role, she contributes to specific projects related to professional and curriculum development.

Laurie is founding principal of Laurie Schell Associates | ElevateArtsEd, providing consulting services and issue expertise in arts education. Widely recognized for leadership in the nonprofit and education sectors, Laurie Schell has worked to foster arts education through strategic alliances and partnerships, policy and advocacy campaigns, innovative programs, directed research, and mobilizing constituencies for action. 

Ms. Schell served as the the inaugural director of Music Makes Us (2012-2017), the public/private music education initiative in Metro Nashville Public Schools, jointly supported by the mayor’s office, music industry, and the school district. During her tenure, participation in music increased to over 60% of the K-12 student population. Forty-five classes were added in 18 schools, with over $5 million raised in private and government funds to augment district funding.

Previously, Ms. Schell was the executive director of the California Alliance for Arts Education (2001 – 2011), where she led a successful campaign to secure a historic $605 million investment in K-12 arts education, co-edited numerous policy papers, and co-created the Insider’s Guide to Arts Education Planning, now in its 3rd edition. 

Ms. Schell holds a B.A. from Stanford University, an M.A. in Liberal Studies/Dance from Wesleyan University in Connecticut and pursued further studies at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. She currently serves on the board of Save the Music Foundation and  ArtsEd Tennessee, a statewide advocacy coalition, and on the advisory board for Southern Word.

Location: Nashville, Tennessee, USA