Last month, the Steering Committee adopted a Vision Framework for Any Given Child Indy. This framework is a management matrix describing cross-functional describing cross-functional activities, cross-project programs and other ways the Any Given Child Indy initiative is working to address inequities in arts education in Indianapolis Public Schools. The Vision Framework makes it clear that the #1 priority for Any Given Child Indy is to fill the current gaps in arts-as-curriculum (e.g., 20% of IPS K-8 students have access to dance instruction). The framework also clarifies that:

• Co-curricular activities such as field trips act as key enhancements to arts-as-curriculum; and
• While arts integration training will be offered to all K-8 teachers, Any Given Child Indy will identify only two schools to pilot a full arts integration model.

Other key decisions at this meeting included:

• To adjust the district-wide evaluation from one year to every three years; and
• To distribute a monthly status update to all committee co-chairs in order to provide updates to their committee members.

In attendance at last month’s committee meeting were Dr. Wanda Legrand, Deputy Superintendent for Academics for Indianapolis Public Schools; JoEllen Rossebo, President & CEO, Arts for Learning; Greg Wallis, Chief Financial Officer, Harrison College; Dr. Yvonne Stokes, Academic Improvement Officer, Indianapolis Public Schools; Gail Strong, VP of Community Engagement, WFYI; Jason Kelly, Director, IUPUI Arts & Humanities Institute; Rilyn Gipson; and Arts Council education partnerships staff.

In December, the working committees will address issues such as parent engagement and will continue discussions about how to best keep committee members informed about the progress of this initiative. As staff for the initiative, the Arts Council will work to ensure that these monthly blog posts share the most significant updates, but I also invite anyone with additional questions to phone me at (317) 631-3301 to talk more.

Ernest Disney-Britton
Director of Grant Services & Education Partnerships
Arts Council of Indianapolis