As a life-long educator, I’ve seen the benefits of arts education countless times. Visual arts, music, dance, theatre, and other opportunities provide students amazing outlets of expression and creativity.

As a life-long educator, I’ve seen the benefits of arts education countless times. Visual arts, music, dance, theatre, and other opportunities provide students amazing outlets of expression and creativity. By experiencing the work of artists from our neighborhoods, state, nation, and around the world, arts education creates a sense of community and exposes our students to a global awareness of the world outside our school district. The arts foster engagement from students and communities in unique ways, and it’s vital for us to provide every possible opportunity for these enriching experiences.

Providing our students with a hearty educational experience requires more than the standards found on state assessments; we must share every possible opportunity we can with our students to give them a well-rounded experience. Any Given Child Indy is a phenomenal opportunity to ensure all students have access to enriching arts experiences and opportunities. Every child deserves to have access to the arts in fulfilling and engaging ways; not just those whose financial status affords lessons and experiences outside of school.

Quality arts education should be a right of all, not a privilege for a select few.

That’s why the work our Community Arts Team is completing with the Kennedy Center is so important. We are assessing the state of arts education in our city, identifying opportunities for growth and developing a strategic plan to increase the availability of equitable arts experiences for our young people.

The arts are key to engagement and achievement for many students, and it’s up to us to ensure our students have as many opportunities as possible. You can help us in the effort to increase equity in arts education. Indianapolis has a vibrant arts community, and we owe it to our young people to provide them access to the many gifts our city has to offer. Whether you are a member of an arts organization, an educator, a community leader or a supportive neighbor, you too can join the effort to enrich the lives of our students!

About the Author

Dr. Wanda H. Legrand became the Deputy Superintendent for Academics for the Indianapolis Public Schools in October of 2013. With over 24 years of experience as a professional educator/trainer, she has worked as a corporate trainer, high school teacher, assistant principal, principal, and regional superintendent.

In her current role, Dr. Legrand is responsible for implementing aligned instructional programs district-wide as well as implementing new instructional programs and developing processes to change current ones. She continuously evaluates and assesses all district curricular and instructional programs to measure their effectiveness. She also leads IPS staff members in the planning, administration, and evaluation of professional development activities which support teaching and learning.

Dr. Legrand has a Doctorate of Education and Masters of School Administration in Educational Leadership from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, as well as a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics from North Carolina AT&T State University.

Voices for Any Given Child Indy is an initiative that gives leaders in the Indianapolis community the opportunity to focus on issues in arts education and in the community, as well as their personal investment in the success of Any Given Child Indy. Be on the look out for new posts from community leaders on anygivenchildindy.org.