Breakout Session Descriptions

A1. Prints to Prose: Using Creating, Presenting, Responding, & Connecting to Enhance Reading, Writing, Speaking, & Listening

Presented by Deb HansenEducation Associate for Visual & Performing Arts (retired), Delaware Department of Education.
10:15 am – 11:30 am CDT (Freret)

Research shows that young children are especially engaged in the author / writing process when they are engaged in the art making / illustrating processes of image creation. This session will utilize the media of printmaking to investigate both processes. Participants will explore how the artistic processes of Creating, Presenting, Responding, and Connecting – from the National Arts Standards – naturally provide learning opportunities for students to Read, Write, Speak, and Listen. Along this visually creative journey, participants will develop collaborative strategies to facilitate student responses and create story lines to connect their work. 

 

A2. Thinking in Reverse: A New Journey to Student Achievement

Presented by Kristin Morrell, Arts Integration Coordinator / SPED Specialist, Young Audiences of Louisiana; Roscoe Reddix, Jr., Director of Arts Integration, Young Audiences of Louisiana.
10:15 am – 11:30 am CDT (Magazine)

According to the National Center of Education Statistics, the number of special education students has increased substantially in the past 10 years, challenging our current practices in art education. In this hands-on session, we will reach beyond the conventional definition of differentiation towards a customizable one that expands and collapses in order to meet our students where they are, academically and emotionally. Utilizing backward planning to determine what skills and supports look like across art forms, attendees will create a plan that ensures accessibility to curriculum and joyful art experiences. Join YALA’s Arts Integration Coordinator Kristin Morrell, theater artist, former classroom teacher, and Special Education Masters candidate; and senior Teaching Artist Roscoe Reddix as they introduce differentiation and accommodation practices that focus on soft skills such as self-awareness, self-regulation, and working collaboratively as a modern approach towards increasing academic achievement. 

A3. A Primed Pump: The Miami Gardens Music Alliance

Presented by Sheila WombleExecutive Director, Arts for Learning Miami
10:15 am – 11:30 am CDT (Poydras)

Building an alliance takes trust, time, expertise, unbounded willingness, and resources. Learn how one question sparked an unanticipated pathway to collaboration as well as a bold vision for Miami’s children. You will learn about Music Access Miami and specifically the Miami Gardens Music Alliance, including the vision, the partners, the work, and, most interestingly, the persistence to launch during the pandemic. This is a real conversation about what it took to start and what it is taking to flourish.

B1. Pathways for Diversifying Teaching Artist Networks

DEIA Strategies at a Glance

Presented by Christine Phares, Program Director, Young Audiences of Houston; Janese Brooks-Galathe, Curriculum Specialist / YA Nationally Credentialed Teaching Artist, Young Audiences of Louisiana; Lauren Jost, Executive Director, Young Audiences of Oregon & SW Washington; Maia McCarthy, Artist Services Specialist, Young Audiences of Oregon & SW Washington; Christi Zorrilla Soto, Central Oregon Program Manager, Young Audiences of Oregon & SW Washington; Renee Benson, YA Nationally Credentialed Teaching Artist, Director of Education / TCI Founding Member Young Audiences of Louisiana; Christopher Sheard, YA Nationally Credentialed Teaching Artist, Artist Services Manager / TCI Founding Member, Young Audiences of Louisiana.
2:00 pm – 3:15 pm CDT (Poydras)

As part of an institutional commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and access (DEIA), it is deeply important to provide professional opportunities for artists from historically marginalized backgrounds to enter the teaching artist field and to connect with the young people we serve. In this session, Young Audiences of Houston, Young Audiences of Louisiana, and Young Audiences of Oregon & SW Washington will each share their programs and strategies for building professional pathways for artists in order to diversify their teaching artist rosters. 

B2. Telling the Story: Using Formative Data to Inform Best Practices in Program Implementation, Communications, and Outreach

Panelists: Dr. Yvette Clinton, Principal Investigator, ICF; Susanne Harnett, Managing Senior Associate, Metis Associates; Omote Ekwotafia-Thelin, Director of Marketing and Communications, Young Audiences of Louisiana; Moderated by David A. Dik, National Executive Director, Young Audiences Arts for Learning.
2:00 pm – 3:15 pm CDT (Magazine)

It’s often said that “there are no stories without numbers, and no numbers without stories.” Research data is much less impactful without a narrative to unpack its meaning. Join Young Audiences National Executive Director David A. Dik in this conversation around the key role a strong research partnership can play in finding the story behind the data to support advocacy in communications and outreach, and to allow the reflection it takes to make good programs stronger.

B3. Making it Real: Creating Frameworks Rooted in Institutional Values

Presented by Yael Silk, Executive Director, Arts Education Collaborative; Michele Russo, President & CEO, Young Audiences of New Jersey & Eastern PA; Joseph Ahmed, Artist Services Manager and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Access Manager, Young Audiences of New Jersey & Eastern PA.
2:00 pm – 3:15 pm CDT (Dryades Ballroom)

Creating frameworks to guide institutional practices and goals requires an extended commitment to collaborative vision and rigorous revision in partnership with a community of stakeholders. Learn about Arts Education Collaborative’s process of developing their theory of change, and how Young Audiences of New Jersey & Eastern PA created a framework for assessing cultural appropriation, as well as how both organizations are implementing these tools in their ongoing work. Participants will engage in conversation around building a framework relevant to their unique institutional contexts.

C1. The YA National Teaching Artist Credential: A Guide for Professional Learning

Presented by: Melli Hoppe, YA Nationally Credentialed Teaching Artist, Arts for Learning, the Indiana Affiliate of Young Audiences; Aaron Fowler, YA Nationally Credentialed Teaching Artist, Arts Partners Wichita.
3:45 pm – 5:00 pm CDT (Poydras)

One of the most exciting programs at Young Audiences is the National Teaching Artist Credential. If you are a Teaching Artist, come learn about the application process and benefits of the Teaching Artist Credential. As program staff, learn how Credentialed Teaching Artists uplift your community of Teaching Artists and increase the quality of your Arts Integrated programs. If you are looking to support new program initiatives at your affiliate or are looking to mentor other Teaching Artists to deliver network-wide professional learning opportunities this session is for you. 

C2. Opportunity of a Lifetime: Federal Funds for Arts Education

Presented by Lynn Tuttle, Executive Director and CEO, American String Teachers Association
3:45 pm – 5:00 pm CDT (Dryades Ballroom)

Learn about the largest federal investment in public education this past year, and how it can benefit arts education in your schools and communities. Learn more about this and other opportunities (and federal acronyms such as ESSER, Title IV, ESSA, and more, oh my!) and how they can support embedded partnership in school and out of school.

One-on-One Listening Session on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and AccessJoe Ahmed, Young Audiences New Jersey & Eastern Pennsylvania

2:00pm – 4:00pm CDT

Schedule your 30-minute conversation here: https://calendly.com/jahmed-yanjep/30min?month=2022-04 


Schedule a 30-minute listening session on diversity, equity, inclusion, and access questions with Joseph Ahmed, Artist Services Manager and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access Manager at Young Audiences of New Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania. Joe (he/they) has presented on DEI issues through YA National as well as with the NJ Center for Non-Profits. They hold a Certified Diversity Professional credential through the Institute for Diversity Certification. He is also a teaching and performing artist in theater, dance, and circus disciplines.
2:00pm – 4:00pm CDT

Schedule your 30-minute conversation here: https://calendly.com/jahmed-yanjep/30min?month=2022-04