S2 Ep15: Navigating Arts Education Ecosystems with Dr. Allison Roberts

<p>During this episode of <em>Why Change?</em> co-hosts Karla and Jeff discuss the change of seasons and the upcoming big changes in the field of arts education. Jeff shares his interview with Dr. Allison Roberts, CEO of the Arkansas Arts Academy, who reflects on her trajectory from arts teacher to education policy advisory to school leader and community builder. Karla and Jeff conclude by thinking deeply about the role of arts schools in communities, cultural ecosystems and as drivers of change in the lives of youth.</p> <p>In this episode you’ll learn:</p> <ol> <li>About the central role of an arts-focused school in creating vibrancy within an arts education ecosystem;</li> <li>How an arts teacher - trend administrator and education policy advisory - examines systemic approaches to arts education; and</li> <li>Ways arts integration can configure learning after the rapid changes of the last few years.</li> </ol> <p>ABOUT DR. ALLISON ROBERTS:</p> <p>Dr. Allison Roberts, a native of Arkansas, has over 35 years experience as a visual artist, K-college art educator, district visual and performing arts coordinator, arts consultant, national professional development facilitator, published author, school administrator, accreditation evaluator and education policy advisor. &nbsp;She attended John Herron School of Art in Indianapolis, Indiana with a painting emphasis, obtained a B. A. in Fine Arts and M.A in Arts Education from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, a K-12 art education certification from the University of Central Arkansas, a K-12 administrative credential from Sacramento County Leadership Institute and a Doctorate from the University of Colorado at Denver, in Leadership for Educational Equity. Through her work in four states, Dr. Roberts has a wide range of experiences with school and community collaboration, grant writing, district visual and performing arts facilitation, strategic planning, arts festival coordination, non-profit partnerships, creating multi-tiered assessments for arts integrat