|
Written by Stephanie Fortunato
|
|
Monday, 19 October 2009 |
Educate and inspire the next generation of creative thinkers
Develop creative practice in youth for 21st century global citizenship.
Providence has many exceptional arts service providers, recognized nationally for making excellent creative learning opportunities available to students outside of school. These after-school arts learning providers have led the way in quality arts experiences for our city’s youth and are anxious to make a larger contribution. Currently, most of the city’s community arts programming focuses on the high school level. Collaborative efforts between Hope High School and RISD have demonstrated amazing results. The arts proficiency graduation requirements provide an opportunity for Providence to rebuild the creative learning curriculum and reach outside school walls to the city’s rich arts community.
Creative learning provides youth with critical thinking skills essential for a creative life and prepares students to participate fully as citizens and members of the 21st century global work- force. Studies find that the arts can help students gain skills in areas valued by today’s employers, such as innovation and creative problem solving. However, creative education opportunities grounded in arts learning experiences are diminishing in schools and community life. In many schools, creative learning is often forced to compete against other district priorities for time and funding. Compounding this problem, many educators themselves are part of a generation who did not experience arts education when they were students. When arts education is offered, it is not accessible to all students. The creative sector can help strengthen pathways for all students to have access to creative learning.
Providence has a reputation as a center for arts, culture, and creativity, yet participants in the Creative Providence cultural assessment persistently cited dissatisfaction with the current state of arts education in Providence – in interviews, community forums, focus group discussions, and the online survey.
Outcomes of Cultural Planning
- Substantial K-12 pathways in arts learning will be available in school, after-school, and through community-based opportunities.
- The role of creative learning in students’ lives and in building the strength of communities will be recognized as preparing youth for 21st century global citizenship and the workforce.
- Opportunities will be available for young artists and social entrepreneurs to invest in children, youth, and families.
- Providence will have a nationally recognized program of artists who integrate teaching into creative practice.
- Providence will be recognized as a leader in cultivating and sustaining a cadre of teaching artists.
- The community will recognize and sustain the significant contributions of Providence’s after-school providers and high quality arts organizations.
|
Creative Providence Cultural Assessment Findings Report (
Art New England Dec 09 -Jan 10
