About arts-in-education (1 of 2)

What is Arts-in-Education?

Arts-in-education (AIE) is a profession specializing in arts integration – in other words, integrating the arts into the school curriculum. The main goal is to improve learning for all students. Arts-in-education focuses on teaching the arts as core subjects, and using the arts as pathways for teaching other subjects. This is known as “learning in and through the arts.”

Successful arts-in-education is a team effort, requiring collaboration among personnel from arts-in-education organizations and schools. The team includes:

1. Professional AIE staff
2. Visiting teaching artists
3. Educators – including classroom, arts and subject area teachers, instructional specialists and administrators
4. Parents

How does it work?

AIE professionals facilitate the collaboration. They work closely with teaching artists and educators, to create and implement interdisciplinary programs for students. These programs support both classroom and arts teachers in meeting learning goals. They are also enriching opportunities for teachers to “co-teach” with the visiting artists. AIE professionals provide training for educators and artists to strengthen their co-teaching. They also provide arts-in-education support services, such as assessment, fundraising and advocacy. The overall support and reinforcement of parents is essential to this collaboration. Arts-in-education does not and should not replace school-based arts programs, but should supplement them.

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