About+the+Project

1. //Improve the ability of teachers to implement a model of arts integration in their classroom instruction through ongoing faculty development, participating in collaborative artist residencies and employing the art-making process in a constructivist approach to teaching and learning.//
 * ===[[image:GroupPhoto.jpg width="280" height="194" align="left"]]=== || ===The overarching goals of //**Art in Action**//:===

2. //Improve student achievement in math and reading, student engagement in the learning process, and student learning habits associated with the arts as a result of participating in arts-infused lessons within their classrooms.// || //**Art in Action**// is a partnership between ArtsErie,, Union City Elementary School, First District Elementary School, Cambridge Springs Elementary School and Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. It is a four-year project that integrates dance, music, language and visual arts and drama into existing curriculum to enhance the quality of classroom teaching, as well as student achievement and engagement. //**Art in Action**// is funded by a U.S. Department of Education Arts in Education Model Development and Dissemination Grant.

//**Art in Action**// annually engages approximately 900 students in arts-infused classroom-based learning through an artist-in-residence program implemented in each partner school. Artist-in-residence programs allow artists to stay and work elsewhere 'for art's sake'. They offer conditions that are conducive to creativity. //**Art in Action**// residencies are opportunities for artist-teacher collaboration. They are designed to infuse arts-based instruction into the broad curriculum in ways that boost student achievement and engagement. By improving the quality of the relationship between the classroom teacher and the teaching artist, //**Art in Action**// also strives to improve lesson planning and development of more active, engaging styles of teaching.

Evaluation of //**Art in Action**// is very important, as participant feedback is what helps determine project successes and areas for improvement. The evaluation for //**Art in Action**// examines outcomes that are intended to measure the quality of teaching, in addition to the impact of instruction on student achievement and student engagement. Data collected is specific to each residency in each classroom and includes both participating and non-participating classrooms based on random-assignment methodology. The evaluation plan is designed, implemented and managed by KeyStone Research Corporation of Erie, PA.


 * Would you like to know more?**
 * Click to learn about our SMART Objectives
 * Click to learn about AIA Artist Residencies
 * Click to view the program Handbook