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In the News: Council pushes to restore arts programs at NYC public schools

“We are reimagining what education looks like in this post-pandemic, 21st century world,” said Kim Olsen, executive director of the New York City Arts in Education Roundtable, which advocates for increased investments in the arts. “As we think about keeping kids in school and having them return to school every day, we know that starts with the arts…This is not an extra, this is a must have.”

It was a pleasure chatting with WNYC Reporter Jessica Gould about the need for arts education, as the Roundtable launches our “It Starts with the Arts” campaign.

Link: https://gothamist.com/news/council-pushes-to-restore-arts-programs-at-nyc-public-schools

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Advocating for Arts & Culture in Albany!

From teaching in the classroom to advocating in the halls of our state capital! It was an honor to join advocates from across New York for the importance of increasing arts and cultural funding in our state budget. Thank you to Lucy Sexton of New Yorkers 4 Culture & Arts for organizing such an impactful gathering of artists, cultural workers, and policymakers.

Up bright and early to advocate.
Arts = Education

Link: https://www.timesunion.com/preview/article/state-pandemic-boost-arts-funding-faces-cuts-17858582.php#photo-23607885

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Rescuing Arts Education and Arts Educators | First Person with Kimberly Olsen

“Last March, our world changed. As city school buildings closed, arts education was impacted almost instantaneously. Our community was disconnected from the schools and students with which they were working. We found that not only did many arts educators lose their jobs, but those who had jobs required an entirely new skill set.”

Check out my recent interview with the New York Community Trust about the NYC Arts in Education Roundtable’s administration of the Arts Educator Emergency Relief Fund.

Link: https://www.nycommunitytrust.org/newsroom/rescuing-arts-education-and-arts-educators-first-person-with-kimberly-olsen/

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Legislative Briefing: Arts Are Essential in Our Schools

I was honored to organize and participate in this convening of policymakers, cultural workers, and arts educators to speak on the current realities and potential of arts education in NYC schools.

Tune in to hear policy recommendations to support equity in our schools and for a holistic look at why arts are essential for NYC’s 1.1 million students.

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On ArtNet News

“Now more than ever, the students need the arts as a vehicle to express themselves, to build community, to think critically, and also to process the world around them, from the reality of this pandemic to the reality that systemic racism persists in our school system, one of the most highly segregated school systems in the country.”

New York City’s 2021 Budget Slashes Already Modest Funding for Public-School Arts Education by 70 Percent
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BIG NEWS

Kim is now serving as the Interim Managing Director of the NYC Arts in Education Roundtable, a service organization and a community of arts education practitioners focused on sharing information, providing professional development, and communicating with the public to promote our work in schools and beyond.

See the “official” announcement here: http://nycaieroundtable.org/2018/10/11/roundtable-welcomes-interim-managing-director/

 

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ITAC & Dine-Around

I had an awesome time serving as a United States delegate at the International Teaching Artist Conference. While my experience was filled with many moments of artful learning, a definite highlight was hosting a dine-around with other international delegates on behalf of the NYC Arts in Education Roundtable. Check out this cute group shot!