45.056 - Arts and Accessibility: What Influence Does Research Have?

Session Type: Working Group Roundtable

Abstract

Researchers continue to report variation in the quality and usefulness of research about the impact of the arts citing inconsistent definitions, imprecise measurement, and variation in outcomes. Innovative designs (arts-based research) and meta-analyses are more visible in the literature, now better informed by theory and design, but disconnected. Opportunities supporting arts in education have increased through ESSA, Turnaround Arts, and model programs, but participation and accessibility remain at a low level. This session proposes an improvement community approach to better define this challenge, refine goals, and share promising practices, charting a course for future research and practice. Arts education researchers and practitioners representing national, state and local perspectives will prepare and engage in network learning and plan for dissemination.

Sub Unit

• SIG-Arts and Learning

Chairs

• Meredith Jane Ludwig, American Institutes for Research

• Melissa Menzer, National Endowment for the Arts

Papers

• Implementing Improvement Science as a Problem-Finding Technique - Meredith Jane Ludwig, American Institutes for Research

• Building Research Communities Through Research-Focused Labs - Melissa Menzer, National Endowment for the Arts

• Measuring Performance of Arts in Education Programs - Muna J. Shami, John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

• Creating a Dynamic Inventory of Arts Policies and Research - Andrea Boyle, American Institutes for Research; Jane Best, ECS

• Sustaining Arts Participation Through State-Level Policy Coordination - Ryan Stubbs, National Assembly of State Arts Agencies

• Broadening Participation in the Arts Citywide - Lisa Robb, The Center for Arts Education