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E-News: 2017 Advocacy Edition
Celebrating 19 years of Providing Equitable Access to Arts and Humanities Learning Opportunities
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Notes from the DC Collaborative Team
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| DC Collaborative Staff |
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Dear Friends:
Happy National Music in Our Schools Month, Youth Art Month, Women's History Month, and our month where we focus on national and local arts and humanities advocacy with the national Arts Advocacy Day and local
ArtsAction DC Arts Advocacy Day 2017.
This is the month we focus on advocacy. For many of us, our work is everyday advocacy, but this is the month our entire community of practice can join together with all stakeholders in the arts and humanities to help advance greater opportunities for students and teachers for more access to DC's cultural institutions.
DC Collaborative is most appreciative of continuing to work together with our members, supporters and local government agencies in our shared work to ensure equitable access and inclusion of arts and humanities education for DC students. When looking at our #CollaborativeEffect, all of us play a very important role.
Together, we have an obligation to organize, to advocate, to create, and preserve our culture nationally and locally. This is what sparks our collective movement to provide support to our arts and cultural educators, to support the rich histories of our neighborhoods, and to document and share our histories.
Belonging to the "Washington" part of our "DC," we must advocate for arts and humanities education on all fronts. We're fortunate to have many local government agencies and leaders that understand the importance of arts and humanities education for our youngest residents. Our students need the arts and humanities now more than ever. They need equity, access, inclusion and diversity. Now more than ever. Together, we have much work to do. Everyday advocacy is telling our stories. Together, we must #BeTheVoice for DC students.
We kicked off our advocacy work with a terrific meeting at National Geographic last month. Now, our membership committee is asking you to help us shape our advocacy messaging.
Please complete this survey to ensure a unified voice when advocating for additional support and resources for our work.
This is the month we come together as a community to tell our stories. We're proud to roll out our film and video blogs produced by Stone Soup Films with their volunteer community that help tell the story of the work of the Collaborative -- the work we share with you.
So, let's be sure to tell our stories, distribute our films, and join us on March 22 for ArtsAction DC's Advocacy Day 2017. Let's make sure that arts and humanities education community is well represented!
Sincerely,
The DC Collaborative Team
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#ArtsAndHumanitiesForEveryStudent Blog Series |
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#ArtsAndHumanitiesForEveryStudent Blog Series
A film series showcasing our work and the work of our members for this month's advocacy initiatives!
As part of this month's arts and humanities education advocacy initiatives, we are thrilled to roll out a short documentary series on our programs and the work of our members made by
Stone Soup Films! Access to arts and humanities education opportunities are critical. I
n celebration of the arts and humanities advocacy and awareness building activities this month, we will showcase our work and the dedication of our members who share in our mission of equitable access to cultural programming for DC students. We will release two more video blogs and a
mini-documentary at the end of the month - stay tuned!
National Museum of Women in the Arts Video Blog!
First blog in the #ArtsAndHuamnitiesForEveryStudent Series
This
film features Capital City Public Charter School's field-trip to the National Museum of Women in the Arts (NMWA), an example of one of the thousands of field-trips we offer, in partnership with our members, throughout the school year.
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| #ArtsAndHumanitiesForEveryStudent Blog Series |
Thank you to to
Stone Soup Films
for helping us show off highlights of our work!
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#BeTheVoice! ArtsAction DC Advocacy Day on 3/22 |
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#BeTheVoice
of Arts, Humanities,
& the Creative Economy
ArtsActionDC Advocacy Day on 3/22/17
Arts Action DC fights for legislative and regulatory policies that support Arts, Culture, Humanities, and the Creative Economy. Their ultimate goal is to ensure that Washington, DC is an arts-invested city that's inclusive and supports all sectors of the Creative Economy. Over the summer the Arts Action DC steering committee
came up with two key legislative priorities to focus on during the 2017 Advocacy Day:
- Arts & Humanities- Increased Funding of DCCAH to $25+ Million
- Creative Economy- Develop new funding cohort for the Commercial Arts/Professional Services sectors of the creative economy that will stimulate/support workforce development, infrastructure, and entrepreneurship
On March 22nd, the Arts, Humanities and Creative Economy sectors will be taking over the Wilson building as part of the 2017 Advocacy Day. Their goal is to have a delegation representing Arts, Humanities and the Creative Economy meetings with each Council member/staff to discuss our priorities. Additionally, they are planning to provide programming to showcase Arts, Humanities and the Creative Economy cultural activities.
- Youth art presentations
- Oral history presentations
- Pop-up retail, culinary, fashion and "Made in DC" presentations
- Theater performers in costume
- Cyphers, spoken word and poetry reading
- Podcasting, digital media presentations and more
In order for their advocacy efforts to be successful, they need active participation from leaders in the Arts, Humanities and the Creative Economy community. They need all hands on deck to turn out hundreds of leaders for the March 22nd events!!!
- RSVP NOW to Participate in The Advocacy Day
- Spread the Word: Invite Your Staff, BOD and Culture, Humanities, and the Creative Economy Leaders to Participate
- Help Arrange Programming to Showcase Cultural Activities
- Attend The Politics & Arts Jam Session Event
Thanks in advance for supporting the greater Arts, Culture, Humanities, and the Creative Community in DC!!!
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We Want your Feedback |
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Arts and Humanities Education Advocacy Survey
The DC Collaborative's Membership Committee wants your input for
arts and humanities education messaging!
As the arts and humanities community gears up for the local, ArtsAction DC Advocacy Day on 3/22, the various budget hearings in April, and during Chancellor Wilson's Engagement Series (info here and in the article below). The DC Collaborative wants to make sure that the arts and humanities education community is well represented! We recently met with our membership committee to develop talking points specific to education so our community can have consistent, unified messaging at these awareness building opportunities throughout the spring.
Want to participate? Here's how!
- The DC Collaborative's Membership Committee invites you to give feedback on the message points below by ranking which issue are of the highest priority this spring, adding message points to the list and providing draft language to our this springs arts and humanities education advocacy messaging.
- The Membership Committee will develop an arts and humanities education advocacy guide as both a handout and electronically during the spring's advocacy opportunities, based on your suggestions.
- Include the message points in your own testimony, with personal stories that highlight experiences through the lens of a DC cultural institution or DC resident. If you would like a sample testimony please contact lissa@dccollaborative.org. Be sure to include that your organization is a DC Collaborative Member in your testimony!
- Attend! Come to ArtsAction DC Advocacy Day on 3/22, DC Council Committee on Education and Committee on Finance and Revenue Budget Hearings (schedule here) and the DCPS Engagement Series (schedule here).
The DC Collaborative's Membership Committee would like to see organizations, teaching artists and humanities educators from all 8 wards and all disciplines testify in the upcoming budget hearings and participate in ArtsActionDC Advocacy Day on 3/22.
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DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities. Our community's goal for District funding to the overall DC Commission budget is an increase to 25 million. The arts and humanities
education community is also asking for a funding increase specifically for arts and humanities education programming through the DC Commission. The community was pleased with the additional opportunities in FY17 arts education partnership grants, including the field-trip initiative.
Tell your council members increase the arts education budget and that we would like to see the new initiatives expanded in FY2018 to reach all disciplines and grade levels and include ways for service organizations to support the work.
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DC Cultural Plan.
The DC Cultural plan will be released in April!
Advocate for funding for the implementation of the plan in FY18 and allow for a mechanism to collect periodic revisions/updates.
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Arts Education Policy. DC is one of 3
states
in the US that does not have an Arts Education Policy.
Lets talk with the Committee on Education and the new chancellor to work with our arts and humanities education community to get a policy passed.
- DCPS Commitment to Cultural Experiences. It is scientifically proven (and here) that students who attend cultural field-trips are more likely to recall school visit themes, demonstrate stronger critical thinking skills, display higher tolerance, exhibit greater historical empathy, develop a taste for art museums and cultural institutions. Additionally, benefits are generally significantly larger for disadvantaged students (minority, low-income, or rural schools). Cultural field-trips and in-school experiences should be considered integral to a student's education. Ask Chancellor Wilson for a line item for cultural field-trips as a dedicated part the DC Public Schools Budget.
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ESSA Implementation and Accountability Plan. Currently the only subjects in DC's accountability plan as they are implementing the ESSA law, are Math and English/Language Arts.
Testify at the various DC Council Committee on Education hearings, including the
DC State Board of Education, to ensure that the arts and humanities are included in the accountability plan and based off of the new Arts Curriculum, DCPS Framework for Arts Learning.
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#CollectiveImpact | #CollaborativeEffect and Data. Working collectively makes a bigger impact! When cultural institutions work together with peers in the arts and humanities education community, DC Public and Public Charter Schools and with other city agencies, they make a more robust, comprehensive impact on the education of ALL students and teachers in the DC public education system. We've already begun articulating are common language but data is important to this work to inform programming decisions in the future!
Ask for DCPS and DCPCS cooperation in mandating assistance with uniform data collection necessary for our Collective Impact work.
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Economic Growth | Creative Economy.
Cultural institutions make a
huge impact
on the economy. Students and communities as a whole benefit from a more vibrant community inclusive of the arts. Talk to the council about how the arts make a different in your community, especially for our youngest residents!
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Well-Rounded Education | 21st Century Skills.
Our community supports equitable access to high-quality arts and humanities experiences as an integral part of a well-rounded education. An education inclusive of the arts and humanities encourages innovation and promotes critical thinking skills, collaboration, creativity and imagination. These skills are essential to a 21st century work force. Talk to the council about how the arts and humanities make an impact on education.
Talk to the council about how the arts and humanities make an impact on education!
Thank you in for supporting Arts and Humanities Education in DC!
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DC Public Schools Update |
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DC Public Schools Update
Engagement Series with Chancellor Wilson
In 2012, DCPS launched an ambitious strategic plan-five goals known as the
Capital Commitment. Five years later, academic performance is up, graduation rates are up, enrollment is up, student satisfaction is up, and it's time to set a new vision for what our district can accomplish.
Over the next few months, DCPS is asking for ideas and input from the DCPS community. What will it take so that every student, parent, and educator can walk into their school and feel welcomed, inspired, and supported? How can we instill excellence and equity at all levels of our district?
Chancellor Antwan Wilson will host conversations at schools across the city with families and faculty, lead engagement sessions in every ward, and meet with leaders representing the neighborhood, faith, and business communities so that everyone has the opportunity to shape the district's next five years. Learn more about these meetings at http://dcps.dc.gov/engage. RSVP is encouraged but not required. We also encourage you to stay part of the conversation at http://www.engagedcps.org/
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AHFES Update |
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Calling All Teachers: Mark Your Calendars!
AHFES Spring Lottery open March 6-10
Our Spring Lottery opened on Monday, March 6th, and is open through Friday, March 10 for AHFES events occurring from April through June. This spring is filled with brand new and exciting opportunities for your students! The school's designated Key Communicator has from March 6 - March 10 at the end of the day to make their lottery requests.
(Students from Fillmore Arts Center attend Imagination Stage's production of "Looking for Roberto Clemente")
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#StoryBank Blog Highlights |
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DC Collaborative #StoryBank Blog February Highlights
Have a story to tell? We have more than 75 stories! Make sure yours is one of them.
Contact us.
NMAAHC: Intern Field Trip
Submitted by:
Katie Greer, DC Collaborative Programming and Marketing Intern and
Rebekka Nickman DC Collaborative Development and Communications Intern
DC Collaborative interns Katie and Rebekka were able to visit the brand new Smithsonian-The National Museum of African American History and Culture. The tickets were generously provided by DC Collaborative Board Member Emeritus Dorothy McSweeney. They provided an overview of their visit and some helpful tips for getting the best out of your experience!
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| DC Collaborative program and development interns, Katie and Rebekka at NMAAHC |
Recap: Winter 2017 Member's Meeting
Submitted by: Rebekka Nickman, DC Collaborative Development and Communications Coordinator
February 16, 2017
The Winter 2017 Member's Meeting's theme was "Ensuring Students are in the Best Position to Learn." Hosted by National Geographic, members received received updates from council member David Grosso, The DC Cultural Plan, ArtsAction DC, Americans for the Arts, ESSA- DC State Board of Education, and DC Collaborative's Collective Impact Work. In addition, there was a special networking and refreshments "Mappy Hour."
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National Geographic's Giant Map of North America
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New Member Update: Wahsington Chorus |
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New Member: Washington Chorus
The DC Collaborative is pleased to welcome
DCPS and The Washington Chorus are pleased to invite you to the final concert of the DC Honors Chorus Festival, featuring students from 3
rd through 12th grades. With workshops led by guest directors Anthony Trecek-King of the Boston Children's Chorus and Joel Ayau of The Washington Chorus, the festival will engage students from all across the city in a two-day choral experience, culminating in a final concert of repertoire that reflects Washington D.C.'s history of expression through music.
DC Honor Chorus Concert
Saturday, March 18th - 5pm
Stuart Hobson Middle School
410 E Street, NE
For more information and how to register, please contact:
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Committee Updates |
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#CollectiveImpact #CollaborativeEffect
Programming and Membership Committees
Contribute your expertise to our Collaborative - join one of our committees!
The DC Collaborative is continuing work with its membership and programming committees this fall and is searching for additional committee members. We promise to keep these meetings fun and engaging!
Programming Committee
The Programming Committee is open to members, partners and educators. The Committee will assist the DC Collaborative team in furthering their mission of equity and access to quality arts and humanities education for all students and teachers in the DC public education system (traditional and public charter). The Programming Committee will analyze and evaluate the quality of arts and humanities education experiences, develop opportunities for mentorship and program improvement and inform the Arts and Humanities for Every Student policies and procedures.
Join us Thursday, March 23, 4:30-5:30 p.m.
Webinar/remote meeting access is available.
Membership Committee
The Membership Committee is open to members and partners of the DC Collaborative and will assist the DC Collaborative team in increasing services for membership by recommending content and helping to lead parts of membership meetings and content forums; participating in developing advocacy messaging; analyzing membership categories and dues structure; exploring the benefits and responsibilities of membership; increasing membership and nurturing membership renewal; and ensuring that general membership is representative of organizations located in all wards of the District of Columbia, Northern Virginia, and Montgomery and Prince Georges Counties in Maryland who are serving DC Public and Public Charter School students and teachers.
Join us Wednesday, March 5, 10:00-11:00 a.m.
Webinar/remote meeting access is available.
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National Cherry Blossom Festival Youth Art Contest |
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Calling All Teachers: National Cherry Blossom Festival Youth Art Contest and Community Art Show
Presented with the DC Arts and Humanities Education Collaborative
ABOUT THE NATIONAL CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL
The National Cherry Blossom Festival, one of the world's great celebrations of spring, deepens our connection to nature; enriches our communities; and honors our unique friendship with Japan by inspiring creative international exchange and collaboration. It commemorates the 1912, gift of over 3,000 cherry trees from Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo to the city of Washington, DC.
2017 CONTEST THEME
This year's youth art contest theme will explore kimonos, and how it is the pattern, rather than the cut of the garment, that is significant. Students should create artwork that tells their "Springtime in DC" story -- what they look forward to when spring rolls around and the cherry blossoms are in bloom -- via symbols and icons, thinking of how to express their thoughts in the framework of a kimono pattern.
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With Gratitude... |
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With Gratitude...
A special thanks to our programming and membership committees... Thank you to those of you who participate in our committee work which helps to bolster our programs and membership services. Your input on our programming and membership services work is invaluable. We are inspired to work with educators and administrators who are dedicated to the community work of providing equitable access to arts and humanities education for all DC students. We appreciate you!
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Ways to Give |
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Ways to Give
To donate to the DC Collaborative online by credit card
DC Arts and Humanities Education
Collaborative
975 F Street, NW
Washington, DC 20004
We're on pg. 20 CFC#66894
Does your company have a matching gift program? Would you like to make a gift of stock or a planned gift?
Let us know!
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About the DC Arts and Humanities Education Collaborative:
More than 100 members strong, the DC Arts and Humanities Education Collaborative (DC Collaborative) provides equitable access to quality arts and humanities education for all DC public and chartered public schools for the growth of the whole child. Working with its partners, since its founding in 1998, the DC Collaborative produces such exemplary programs as Arts and Humanities for Every Student and the Professional Development Initiative. View our Member Directory.
For more information on the DC Arts and Humanities
Education Collaborative, Please visit our
website.
If you would like to include something in our next
Submissions for our consideration are due C.O.B. on the third Friday of every month and are subject to edits by the DC Collaborative staff.
DC Arts and Humanities Education Collaborative
Mailing: 975 F Street, NW
Location: 923 F Street, NW #303
Washington, DC 20004
p. (202) 470-6467
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