February 19, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
National and State leaders to gather for Arts in Education Conference in March
RALEIGH, N.C. -- When teachers, community leaders, artists and arts administrators convene next month for a statewide arts in education conference, they will have to think outside the box when it comes to how to define arts education in grades K-12 across North Carolina.
Art is not only about playing an instrument, painting a picture, or molding an object out of clay. Art fuels critical thinking and can be applied to all fields of study. It teaches students to ask the hard questions and dig deeper to find solutions in a changing world, where surface solutions have lead to a plummeting economy and some industries rendered useless.
Imagination, creativity, and innovation are essential to success in school and the workforce. This conference provides the exciting opportunity to examine all facets of the arts' impact on education in grades K-12 and in life.
The conference, scheduled March 5-7 in Raleigh, promises to be groundbreaking with its focus on changing the education environment through imaginative thinking and the art of technology.
"As North Carolina students prepare to compete in a global world, they need a full education and that includes reading, math, science and the arts," says Mary B. Regan, executive director of the North Carolina Arts Council. "This is no time for timid souls. We are talking about educating our future workforce, and the leaders of our nation. A vibrant, successful North Carolina demands that children be more well-equipped and prepared to take on this changing world, where creative minds will rise to the top."
Arts administrators and educators alike say this is not the time to limit resources in the classroom -- especially when the competition for the best ideas and products are in demand like never before.
"In our troubled economic climate, cuts in arts education cannot be overestimated while the economic impact of our creative economy is underestimated," says Jack Lew, a digital media expert and one of the conference's keynote speakers. Lew is the new program director for the University of Central Florida's Center for Emerging Media and the former global art talent resources manager for Electronic Arts, the world's leading interactive entertainment software company.
"More than ever, we need to nourish our creative resources and it begins with arts education in our public schools," says Lew, who was also the former senior manager of Artist and Professional Development for Disney Feature Animation Florida.
"The internet and emerging new media, including video games, have created a wide gap between today's youth and educators," Lew says. "The digital divide will widen unless educators begin to embrace these innovative tools to transform how this generation of students create. While traditional concepts of art and aesthetics remain relevant, we need to reexamine and redefine what art education is for the 21st Century."
Another important topic for conference attendees is a proposed arts education graduation requirement which was introduced recently in the North Carolina General Assembly. Seven state legislators from the Joint Select Committee on Arts Education and the newly appointed CEO of North Carolina Public Education William Harrison will present short statements on why they believe an arts education requirement should be mandated for K-12 education.
Currently, arts education is considered an elective along with career technical education and a second language. Many college bound students opt for the foreign language elective since it's required by most colleges and universities.
More than 400 people have already registered for the conference hosted by Meredith College in Raleigh. Conference organizers anticipate 500 participants.
Arts and education leaders from the National Endowment for the Arts and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts along with researchers and funders from the RAND Corporation and Kirkpatrick Foundation will lead discussions on the status and vision of the arts in K-12 education.
The conference is open to anyone interested in the arts and K-12 education including educators, administrators, teachers, art professionals, policy makers, funders, PTA/PTOs and representatives from institutes of higher education.
The North Carolina Arts Council, United Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County, Meredith College, Fenwick Foundation are conference sponsors. Collaborators include the A+ Schools Program at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro, ARTS North Carolina, North Carolina Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and Wake County Public School System. Funders include the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the Mary Duke Biddle Foundation.
Registration continues through February 27. Late registration is on-site only.
To arrange advance interviews or interviews with keynote speakers during the conference contact Bridgette A. Lacy at (919) 807-6520 or by e-mail at Bridgette.lacy@ncdcr.gov. During the conference, Lacy can be reached by cell phone at (919) 389-2240.
See the attached bio of keynote speakers including Holden Thorp, UNC-Chapel Hill chancellor; Jack Lew, a digital media expert; Dr. Sarah B. Cunningham, the director of arts education for the National Endowment for the Arts; and Linda A. Carlisle, the new secretary of the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources.
