Beyond Snapshots: Tracking the Status of Arts Education in Arizona

Overview & Synopsis

This report identifies and explains the issues, challenges and options affecting formal and informal arts education in Arizona today. It ascertains the feasibility of mechanisms to track formal and informal--or school- and community-based arts education over the long term. The Morrison Institute for Public Policy (School of Public Affairs, College of Public Programs) designed the "Beyond Snapshots" study to gather input from a selection of state arts education experts, teachers, and representatives from schools, districts, and arts and culture organizations. Each research component focused on the current statewide environment for arts education; input on issues, innovations, and challenges; and outlooks on an ongoing arts education "census" of formal and informal activities. The project showed that: (1) the status of arts education and its delivery in schools and community arts organizations continue to vary widely across the state; (2) assessment is viewed as one key to the growth of arts education; (3) Arizona's arts educators and arts professionals appear to be ready for a regular "census" of formal and informal arts education; and (4) A "census" should target both school-based and community-based activities and learning. Information tools should provide data to track inputs and outcomes; connect, and grow, and develop; and understand attitudes and outlooks. An appendix provides respondents' comments about arts education stories and setbacks. A list of selected tables is also included. (Contains 4 tables.) [This report was written with Ellen Jacobs and on behalf of: the Arizona Arts Education Research Institute, Arizona Department of Education, Arizona Commission on the Arts, Arizona State University Northern Arizona University, The University of Arizona, and Maricopa Partnership for Arts and Culture.]