featured member project

Featured Member

Students at Milwaukee Sign Language School work on an art project as part of a partnership program between the school and Arts @ Large. Photo Credit: Arts @ Large.

This fall, the year looked grim for arts education in Milwaukee schools. At the beginning of this school year (2006–2007), 30 elementary schools in Milwaukee were without a licensed arts specialist on staff or even a traveling artist to serve multiple schools. That’s where Arts @ Large came in. Arts @ Large is a local arts education organization that develops partnerships between artists, arts organizations, and education institutions to enhance students’ opportunities for creativity. Jennifer Morales, board member of Milwaukee Public Schools, put forth an amendment to the Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) budget that provides $1 million in funding for arts education activities after school and during the summer. Though the grant money must be used before school starts next fall, Arts @ Large is wasting no time increasing MPS arts opportunities, moving forward to serve schools without arts and music specialists.

The funding, known as MPS pARTnership for the Arts, will only be released when a dollar-for-dollar new resource match is received from outside MPS to support an afterschool project or activity. The goal is to secure new and additional resources to support arts-related activities to be used during the school day. Arts @ Large has garnered support from local foundations, businesses, and individuals committed to seeing Milwaukee’s children receive quality arts education.

Arts @ Large and the MPS Foundation, grant administrator for pARTnership for the Arts, are focusing on a few fundamental keys to success—expanding arts-related experiences for Milwaukee children, increasing the number of enriching activities that connect the arts to academic learning, and growing resources and support for arts education. 

In K–8 schools without specialists, Arts @ Large makes a three-year commitment, based on available funding, to build an arts-rich atmosphere inclusive of all students. Teri Sullivan and Kim Abler, co-directors of Arts @ Large, encourage schools to reinstate specialists, as well as to equip classroom teachers with the tools to integrate performing, visual, and literary arts across the academic spectrum.

Abler and Sullivan feel as though they have seen a phoenix rise from the ashes in Milwaukee schools. MPS can offer an arts curriculum even in a cash-strapped year; the community has responded to the need by matching support; and arts once again have a place in the schools. Arts @ Large is already planning for the future, ensuring that Milwaukee students can continue learning through the arts.