About the Project
This project is an exploration of new frontiers in arts education that come out of asking, “What role can the arts play in building greater equity of learning, creativity, access and joy for young people?”
With lead support by the William Penn Foundation, WolfBrown, Creative Generation, artists, and arts organizations across Philadelphia have joined in asking and answering this question. Across three years, through conversations, site visits, and changes to their own work, arts partners across the city nominated four frontiers for their practice.
This site explores five frontiers in defining brave practices:
Making Space for Identity and Belonging: How does arts education provide ways for young people to explore their complex identities?
How can arts classrooms become sites for that exploration?Empowering Students: How does arts education empower students to be active participants in their worlds?
Reaching Beyond the Classroom: How can arts education extend learning outside of the classroom and into students’ own communities?
Re-inventing Research: How can new approaches to research support stronger practice?
Imagining The Future: What are the next steps to advance this important work?
This site brings together the current thinking and work of Philadelphia artists and arts organizations, alongside of that of national colleagues.
How to use this website
Each frontier represents a different aspect of teaching and learning in the arts:
Browse the videos and examples to stimulate your own thinking.
Discuss them with colleagues. Consider what they could mean for your next project or grant application.
Identify artists and organizations that you want to visit or get to know.
Visit the free resources.
Making Space for Identity and Belonging
Who are you as a teaching artist?
How do you make space for young people to explore their own complex identities?
Featuring:
Bethlehem the Vocussionist and Emma Terrell in “Start with Identity and Belonging”
Libby Mislan, Samira Asma-Sadeque, and a Student Poet in “The Sounds of Culturally-Responsive Teaching”
Empowering Students
How do we empower students to use their unique voices?
Which cultural traditions does your work sustain?
Featuring:
Maurice Emmanuel Parent, Megan Sandberg-Zakian
Mae Early: The Artist in Teaching Artist
Reaching Beyond the Classroom
How do we extend learning outside of the classroom environment?
How do we bring our lessons into the students communities?
Featuring:
Dr. Kimberly McGlonn: 24x7 Artistry: Practice as a Way of Being
Re-Inventing Research
How can we work together to observe and change what matters?
Featuring:
Kristina Berdan, Stefanie Wakeman, and Jessica Zweig: Observing and Learning from One Another’s Work
Imagining The Future
How do we continue this work as the needs of students, teachers and parents evolve?
Featuring:
PAFA (Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts)
Acknowledgements
Thank you to the organizations who contributed to this website:
Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture • Arden Theater • Astral • Dance eXchange • Koresh Kids Dance • Lantern Theater • Mural Arts • Musicopia • Opera Philadelphia • Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts • Philadelphia Ballet • Philadelphia Young Playwrights • Play on Philly • RockReach • Settlement Music • Spiral Q • The Clay Studio • The Print Center • Tune Up Philly • WHYY
A special thanks to the people who helped with the development of this website:
Jeff Poulin, Managing Director, Creative Generation
Andre Solomon, Manager of Community Knowledge, Creative Generation
Bridgette Woodbury, Director, Engagement, Creative Generation
Kathleen Hill, Senior Consultant, Creative Opportunities, WolfBrown
Steven Holochwost, Principal, Director of Research for Youth and Families, WolfBrown