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In the current landscape of secondary arts schools, many public programs have faced cuts, leading to disparities in student preparation and opportunity. This discussion emphasizes the need for innovative solutions to counter elitism and create broader access in arts education. Strategies include designing activities that foster potential, establishing mentorship programs, offering workshops on auditions, and providing after-school classes. Additionally, aligning school demographics with local communities and advocating for scholarships are key to cultivating an inclusive and diverse environment in arts education.
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Key Debate Topic:Access and Equity Countering Elitism; Discerning Potential; Creating Opportunities Donn K. Harris, Oakland School for the Arts
Current Environment in Secondary Arts Schools • Auditions designed to showcase student skills and experience • Public schools have cut many (most) arts programs • Students with most preparation have generally had private lessons or been part of an after-school company • Traditional public school patterns do not include competitive entry • Art School demographics are often considerably different than those of the school districts in which they operate
Some Creative Solutions • Design activities to bring out potential as opposed to training • Focus on certain departments for beginning students to enter – Technical Theater, Arts Management, Digital Media • Create mentorship and support systems • Hold workshops on auditions and portfolio preparation • Hold after-school classes for specialized training • Create summer programs and offer scholarships • Seek assistance from counselors and teachers at the younger grades – can they identify the artists in their midst?
Key Questions • Do the school’s demographics reflect – • The local school district’s? • The local community’s? • Something else entirely? • Different categories of diversity • Geographic • Ethnic • Socio-economic • Schools of origin • Suburban/urban • Private/public/charter
Audition Data • 2008 – 175 candidates for 60 spots • 2009 – 250 candidates for 100 spots • 2010 – 340 candidates for 120 spots • 2011 – 500 candidates for 140 spots • 2012 – 580 candidates for 120 spots • 2013 – 670 candidates for 120 spots
School and City Demographics • OSA • White – 35% • Black – 30% • Multi-Racial – 13% • Latino – 12% • Asian – 10% • Oakland • White – 38% • Black – 30% • Asian – 18% • Latino – 14%
The Creativity Index • A measurement of creative opportunities available in schools • Can be part of the overall academic index score • Includes arts classes, performances and productions, leadership opportunities, speech and debate clubs • Also looks at staff preparation, professional development • Critical thinking measured by classroom observations • Tests of creativity and innovation can be administered at certain grade levels