How Do We Know a Good Arts Education Program When We See It?

Tuesday, October 11, 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Organized by Julie Fry, program officer, Performing Arts Program, The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation; Stan Hutton, senior program officer, Clarence E. Heller Charitable Foundation.

Presented by Heather DiMaggio, 4th grade teacher, James Madison Elementary School; Gerhard Grokte, principal, James Madison Elementary School; Jessica Mele, executive director, Performing Arts Workshop; Laurie Schell, executive director, California Alliance for Arts Education.

As arts education grantmakers, we support a variety of delivery methods: in-school, out-of-school, and after-school. How do we know whether this mosaic approach makes an impact on students? This roundtable session will explore what factors go into making a good arts education program. What should funders be looking for during site visits? What questions should we ask? Who should we talk to—the classroom teacher, teaching artists, principal, students? Join experienced arts educators in a facilitated discussion about how to assess arts education programs and develop site visit protocols. Come prepared to share what you look for on a site visit.


This session will be held onsite at the Fairmont San Francisco.