|
Legislative Briefing: The Appalachian Education Initiative (AEI) and Arts Advocacy Day at the 79th West Virginia Legislature
01/26/2010
January 26, 2010
FLASH NOTE
Legislative Briefing: The Appalachian Education Initiative (AEI) – the West Virginia Affiliate of The Kennedy Center Alliance for Arts Education Network (KCAAEN) – and Arts Advocacy Day at the 79th West Virginia Legislature
Charleston, WV (January 26, 2010) – Yesterday, the Appalachian Education Initiative (AEI) – the West Virginia affiliate for The Kennedy Center Alliance for Arts Education Network (KCAAEN) – participated in Arts Day at the 79th West Virginia Legislature. AEI was recognized as a participant and introduced on-the-record during the House Floor Session by Delegate Doug Skaff (D-Kanawha), who is also an AEI Board Member. Delegate Skaff highlighted AEI’s mission and the economic impact of the arts. 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. The Kennedy Center Alliance for Arts Education Network (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.
Support arts education TODAY – CREATE a better tomorrow for West Virginia.
Other legislative achievements include the following:
- Legislative Meetings with Senators Unger and Oliverio to discuss the economic impact of the arts and grant opportunities;
- Media interviews by Mayor McKenzie in Wheeling to highlight arts advocacy in the Northern Panhandle Region and the need for arts integration in our public school system;
- Pledges of Support to join AEI by key members of the West Virginia Legislature and statewide arts advocacy organizations; AND,
- AEI participation in a roundtable discussion with the Arts Advocacy West Virginia Board of Directors, including Senator Browning and Delegate Guthrie, to discuss pending arts advocacy legislation (HB 3113; SB 235).
- HB 3113 was introduced by Del. Guthrie on January 13, 2010, and is double referenced (must pass through two committees before a floor vote) to House Political Subdivision followed by Judiciary; it addresses the arts, entertainment and enterprise districts and addresses economic impact and taxation issues pertaining to such.
- SB 235 was introduced on January 20, 2010 and is sponsored by Senators Browning, McCabe, White, Unger, Stollings, Chafin, Plymale, D. Facemire, Foster, Kessler, Laird, and Palumbo. It was referred to the Committee on Economic Development and then to Finance. The bill creates a matching grant pilot program to foster the implementation of innovative planning strategies to develop and expand communities that can maximize emerging economic opportunities and environmental challenges and thrive in the 21st century. The bill also creates a board to administer the grant program.
- AAWV also discussed its support for SB 7 which was introduced on January 13, 2010, with double reference to the Judiciary Committee followed by Finance. It addresses increasing the Cultural Facilities and Capitol Resources Matching Grant Program Fund net terminal income allocation and is sponsored by Senators Plymale, Jenkins and Unger.
The TRUTH about ARTS in our schools:
We have a lot of evidence that learning in, through, and about the arts are beneficial. From an education standpoint,
- Studies show that students who participate in the arts earn better grades, perform better on standardized tests and have higher graduation rates than their peers.
- Arts activities promote growth in positive social skills including self-confidence, self-control, conflict resolution, empathy and social tolerance.
- Research evidence demonstrates these benefits apply to all students, not just the gifted and talented.
- Critical thinking, problem solving, and teamwork are also skills considered key for success in our global economy –and- are all skills that can be learned through the arts.
- From an economic development standpoint, nationally, the nonprofit arts and culture industry generates $166.2 billion in economic activity every year—$63.1 billion in spending by organizations and an additional $103.1 billion in event-related spending by their audiences.
A few ways YOU can help:
- Contact your Senator or Delegate and encourage them to support arts education in our public schools.
- Join AEI today through our website (www.aeiarts.org) or encourage others to join.
- Make a charitable contribution to AEI – in the form of dollars, art supplies or resources. You can do this on our website (www.aeiarts.org) or by calling (304) 225-0101.
###
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 Corporate Communications, 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.
Back to News
|
|
|
|