What do you think when you hear arts education? Learning a musical instrument? Painting a portrait? Maybe using dance to express a feeling or idea?

Though these are all forms of arts education, what you likely don’t think about is the decades worth of research supporting the benefits that arts education has to our mental health, emotional maturity, and even our employability as adults – not just as artists, but in any type of job. As the largest performing arts centre in western Canada, it’s no surprise that we are very interested in the science of arts education. That’s why in spring of last year, we collaborated with Calgary Arts Development Association to conduct a benchmark survey to discover where teachers, parents, and arts facilitators needed us to step in and support.

The results told us many things, including the fact that most parents place value on an arts education, but do not believe that it assists in future job prospects. We also learned that teachers are overwhelmingly in favour of more training in arts education, and that arts facilitators are finding it harder and harder to connect with both teachers and parents.

For all these reasons and more, Arts Commons has launched Arts ReimaginED, a week long series of events aligned with the UNESCO Arts Education Week which will springboard into a year-long program of events, workshops, and training opportunities.

So how can you get involved?

We are so glad you asked!

From May 21 – 28, Arts Commons will be hosting an arts education week in alignment with the UNESCO Arts Education Week. We’ll be offering free activities, professional development for arts educators, a world-class performance for young audiences, all culminating in the Arts ReimaginED Summit. It’s beyond exciting and we want you to be a part of it!

Visit artscommons.ca/artsreimagined today to learn more!