The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Arts Education Vision Statement

    In its originating statute the John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is mandated by the Congress to be a leader in national performing arts education policy and programs. The Kennedy Center's Education Department serves that mandate through extensive education programming, including developing and presenting original and innovative performing arts and educational programs for children; youths, families, adults, and educators designed specifically to foster an appreciation and understanding of the performing arts. These programs are partially funded from public and private sources through the U.S. Department of Education and the Kennedy Center Corporate Fund.

    Every American should have high-quality opportunities to be educated in all of the arts. Such an education should occur both in and out of classroom settings as part of an ongoing learning process for all individuals, including those with special talents or needs.

    A comprehensive arts education draws upon the expertise of both arts specialists and classroom teachers, and upon the experiences and resources of professional artists and community cultural resources. Only by utilizing all of these resources can individuals achieve the full educational potential of the arts. Further, any serious attempt to address arts education must articulate the value of a comprehensive approach to basic education and affirm the integral role of the arts in education and in education reform. The national standards in the arts have provided a guide for the development of state and local curriculum and assessments in the arts. These standards provide all educators with guidelines for providing a comprehensive approach to educating students in all of the arts and support learning through and about the arts in America. The Kennedy Center Alliance for Arts Education Network (KCAAEN) was formed in l973 as a programmatic affiliate of the Education Department of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The KCAAEN is a coalition of statewide, non-profit organizations working in partnership with the Kennedy Center to "support policies, practices and partnerships that ensure the arts are woven into the very fiber of American education". State Alliance organizations bring together educators, community leaders, arts organizations and concerned citizens to plan and implement programs and activities that address state and local issues and concerns surrounding arts education. State Alliance boards of directors, executive committees, and advisory boards include representatives of state arts agencies; state departments of education; professional educators associations in music, visual arts, dance, and theater; in addition to parents, administrators, business, community, and cultural leaders. While the individual programs and services of state Alliances vary from state to state, each is involved in building awareness of the important role which the arts can play in student achievement and success.

    Inquiries regarding; the Kennedy Center Education Department and the Kennedy Center Alliance for Arts Education Network should be directed to Derek E. Gordon, Vice President, Education. The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, D.C. 20566-0001.

Please reproduce this statement in its entirety only.

-- This article was obtained at the 1998 MENC National Conference in Pheonix. The author is unknown. It is posted as I received it and is not used for any financial gain. --