ADVOCACY
The Baltimore Arts Education Initiative
Baltimore City Public Schools in partnership with Arts Every Day launched the Baltimore Arts Education Initiative (BAEI) in Fall 2017 in response to the decline of arts education access districtwide. Thanks to the efforts of over 100 educators, advocates, arts partners, parents, students, district, and city leaders, the BAEI Committee Members created a comprehensive Arts Education Strategic Plan and measurable implementation goals. Under the superb leadership of Superintendent Dr. Sonja Santelises, City Schools adopted the Strategic Plan as a part of its “Blueprint for Success”. BAEI sought to take advantage of unprecedented policy changes and conversations happening at the federal, state, and local levels to re-incorporate arts education as a core education discipline in preK-12 education.
View the 2017 Baltimore City Arts Education Plan
View the BAEI 2022 Goals Plan
Get Involved!
Calling all students, community members, parents, educators, and arts partners! The long-term success of this initiative depends on YOU! Here’s what you can do to help:
1. Sign up for advocacy alerts
Steering Committee: Meets monthly to develop materials to support plan implementation, review data, closely monitor progress, and advise on challenges. Steering Co. will break into small focus groups. Fall Focus Groups to include: Data Analysis, Principal Communications and Support Materials, Parent/Student Awareness during 19-20 Budget Process
Advisory Committee: Meets 2x per year to advise on progress/challenges, and bring ideas, partnerships, and opportunities to expand the work.
3. Get involved at your local school:
join the PTO, get involved with your school’s budget process. See our School Budget Advocacy 101 for helpful links.
2017 BAEI Launch Press Release: National Endowment for the Arts Awards Grant to Arts Every Day to Boost Arts Programs in Baltimore City Public Schools