The Appalachian Education Initiative (AEI)

– the West Virginia Affiliate of the Kennedy Center Alliance for Arts Education Network (KCAEEN) –

Launches “What Does Creativity Look Like?” Statewide Public Awareness Campaign

Tuesday, September 15, 2009 (Charleston, WV) – Today, the Appalachian Education Initiative (AEI – www.aeiarts.org) – the West Virginia affiliate of the Kennedy Center Alliance for Arts Education Network (KCAEEN) – launched “What Does Creativity Look Like?” - a statewide annual public awareness campaign aimed at engaging the public school system and educational institutions; the legislative community and public officials; and, private sector leaders in arts advocacy issues.

As part of the “What Does Creativity Look Like?” campaign, AEI intends to execute a statewide issue advocacy campaign and public policy agenda while also implementing a newly created AEI Press Office and strategic communications plan.

“AEI’s mission is to promote students’ personal development, academic performance and 21st century workforce preparation by ensuring that educators, parents, business and community leaders and others understand the value of arts education and support its place from Kindergarten through 12th grade, “ said Lou Karas, AEI’s Executive Director. “The statewide public awareness campaign ‘What Does Creativity Look Like?’ will take this to a new level by engaging and activating multiple audiences such as educational institutions, private sector leaders and government officials about the importance of the arts in all walks of life. It is statistically proven that by advancing and providing quality arts education to our youth we are not only producing a more well-rounded workforce, but we are also creating economic development through the arts and creating a better society and business community.”

AEI’s primary areas of focus include advocacy; research and information dissemination; and, professional development.  Through advocacy, AEI advances quality arts education as a critical component of a balanced and complete school curriculum. This is accomplished by initiating collaborations with local, state and national arts and education agencies to develop programs and resources through educating state and local policymakers, parent organizations and business organizations about the benefits of the arts. AEI also facilitates a statewide arts education information network in order to promote the arts as an effective tool to teach subjects across the K-12 curriculum.

AEI is also focused on highlighting the power of the arts to engage students of all skill and age levels and from all economic and cultural backgrounds. As part of AEI’s research and information dissemination, we conduct research and distribute supporting national, state and local statistical data and information concerning the relevance of arts education and the inclusion of the arts in the curriculum.

Lastly, in order to support and execute successful professional development, AEI supports the implementation of high-quality, standards-based professional development programs by developing strategies to ensure standards-based instruction and professional development of highly qualified teachers and teaching artists are considered as part of every district’s plan and identifying curriculum models and lesson plans for effective use of the arts as teaching tools, and informing the field of these resources.

About AEI:

Since its inception in 2001, the Appalachian Education Initiative (AEI) has been dedicated to ensuring that quality arts education should be a central part of the education of every public school student in West Virginia. For more information, go to www.aeiarts.org.

About the Kennedy Center Alliance for Arts Education Network (KCAAEN):

KCAAEN is a coalition of statewide non-profit organizations working in partnership with the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to support policies, practices, programs and partnerships that ensure the arts are an essential part of American K-12 education.

About Capital Communications Group (CCG) – AEI’s AOR:

Capital Communications Group (CCG) is an international public relations and government affairs firm with locations in Washington, DC and Charleston, WV. CCG’s expert public relations and government affairs practice groups include Litigation Communications, Energy and Environment Communications, Crisis Communications, Issue Advocacy and Public Affairs, Grassroots Advocacy, Gaming, Healthcare and Travel and Tourism. CCG’s breadth of experience spans many years, most issues of public debate and every continent. For more information, visit www.CapitalCommGroup.com.

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