Leadership Academy: How it All Comes Together

 by Elizabeth Kripp
Program Associate, AEC

Repetition has its challenges. When something is going very well, why change it? The AEC Leadership Academy just completed its seventh year and is going very, very, well. But continuous review and analysis is part of the quality control process that is embedded in every AEC endeavor. This particular project, building leadership capacity within the ranks of arts educators, was initiated to empower these educators to move arts education from the sidelines to the core of the educational process. So, to prepare for the eighth year of the Academy, an extensive process is underway—something that takes place every year. This process is multi-faceted and comprehensive.

Last month, seventeen members of the AEC Leadership Academy Alumni volunteered their time to become part of the preparation for the 2010 Academy. They participated in a review of the Leadership Academy curriculum. During this exercise, the arts educators from schools and cultural organizations took the time to talk with each other about what the new class should be thinking, learning, and discussing. Beginning with each of the five curriculum goals, participants determined if the summer and four seminar agendas need to be revised to better serve the needs of the 2010 class. They also considered each of the four strands of the academy: pedagogy, standards-based curriculum, teacher as artist, and leadership knowledge and skills. Their ideas will be incorporated into the curriculum. This biennial task is just one part of the deep preparation that precedes the summer session in July. But that’s not the only way the Academy Alumni contribute to the program. Several members will be in attendance throughout the five days of the summer week, at various sessions, to share their stories and expertise. Their input is coordinated well in advance of the Academy to best enhance each session. Providing connections to arts educators who understand the value of this leadership initiative has become one of the strongest elements of the program. To stay as current as possible, the international, national, statewide, and regional scenes are continually scanned throughout the year to keep track of any developments in arts education that could have an impact on the Leadership Academy. The question becomes: “What is happening out there that arts educators need to know and how do we incorporate it into the academy?” The answers become clear as issues are discussed and follow up research is reviewed. Then there’s the most important part…. the members of the 2010 Leadership Academy. Every year the goals, expectations, and needs of the class are considered carefully to ensure that each session is meaningful and substantive for the year’s participants. Initially, the application information, an interests survey and learning styles inventory are the primary sources of information. However, as the year progresses and participants are given lots of time to talk about their work, specific challenges, and needs emerge that require attention. To that end, follow up seminar sessions are designed to respond to those needs. Careful consideration is given to selecting the best resources that will help eradicate roadblocks that are preventing goal progress and also provide additional support for the educator’s work. Now July is here and the pace has picked up quite a bit. Practical matters such as creating and acquiring materials, completing paperwork, fine tuning the daily agendas, ordering food, confirming visiting artists, and finalizing details with the venue’s host have become the top priority. It’s busy! But somehow it all comes together and the stage is set for yet another group of highly motivated educators to join with their peers to make a difference in the world of arts education. Armed with specific knowledge of their own leadership abilities and how to put that into practice, as well as the continued support and resources of the AEC, fifteen informed arts educators will spend a year creating and executing individual action plans to advance the work of providing quality arts education for all. Stay tuned.