On Tuesday, June 27, over 30 members of the Indiana Arts Education Network convened at Ball State University during Music for All’s Summer Symposium. The Indiana Arts Education Network is a broad cross-section of Indiana organizations, teachers, and leaders who are committed to working to insure that every Indiana student has reliable access to a well-rounded education that includes music and  the arts. Ernest and I attended the meeting to learn more about the arts education advocacy efforts that are taking place outside of Any Given Child Indy. To learn more about the purpose of the Indiana Arts Education Network click here.

The network has been busy discussing the long-term vision for music and arts education as mandated by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and working to meet with policymakers on both local and national levels. Network members gave updates about ESSA and recent meetings with Patrick McAlister (Indiana Department of Education) and PJ McGrew (Indiana State Board of Education), during which they discussed the importance of a well-rounded education including the arts. Discussions during the meeting also focused around advocacy and continuing the network’s strategic plan, with next steps being for members to connect with local and national key influencers and report back at the Network’s next meeting in August.

Following the meeting, members were invited to sit in on various different sessions being held at Music for All’s Summer Symposium, a summer camp with over 1,700 attendees including high school students, teachers, and band/orchestra directors. Ernest and I were lucky enough to catch the end of a lecture for educators titled “The Importance of You: How Four Years in Your Class Can Influence a Lifetime” by Jauvon Gilliam, National Symphony Orchestra Timpanist (and Indiana native).