Our Mission
We collaborate with educators to unlock the transformative power of the arts.
Our Vision
We envision a diverse network of educators in Southwestern Pennsylvania that immerses young people—regardless of appearance, ability, income, or ZIP Code—in powerful, personally relevant arts learning that transforms their sense of self, ability to share thoughts and feelings, and capacity to shape communities.
Our Values
The National Young Audiences Arts for Learning Network
Arts Ed Collaborative is affiliated with the national Young Audiences Arts for Learning network. Founded in 1952, the mission of Young Audiences Arts for Learning is to inspire young people and expand their learning through the arts. Our network is made up of local affiliated nonprofits that collectively impact over 5 million young people each year. The national Young Audiences Arts for Learning network works collaboratively to advance arts in education through advocacy, communications, fundraising, program development, professional learning, and other support. To explore our national network, click the button below!
Governance
Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh (CMP) serves as the fiscal sponsor for the Arts Ed Collaborative. CMP’s Board of Trustees is our legal governing body. CMP also provides fiscal oversight. Additionally, Arts Ed Collaborative seeks out other voices for strategic input. Members of the arts ed community review our programs, offer advice, and help guide our work forward.
Arts Ed Collaborative maintains connections at the local, state, and national levels.
Local
- We are a member of the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council.
- We are a member of the Greater Pittsburgh Nonprofit Partnership.
- We are a member of the Remake Learning. Yael Silk is a member of the Pittsburgh Regional STE(A)M Ecosystem, and Colin Williams is a member of the Maker Learning Collaborative steering committee.
- We maintain a network of liaisons in local school districts, arts organizations, and higher education institutions to both disseminate and gather information.
- We are part of Citizens for the Arts in PA and work to connect with legislators.
- We are a supporter of UniSound.
State
- Our staff members present at and attend state- and local-level conferences and events for Pennsylvania Art Education Association, Pennsylvania Music Educators Association, and Pennsylvania State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance.
- We work with the Pennsylvania Department of Education on various initiatives; past initiatives have included the roll-out of the PA Academic Standards for the Arts and Humanities and work on the state’s Student Learning Objectives (SLO) initiative.
- We are a member of Citizens for the Arts in Pennsylvania.
National
- We are an affiliate of Young Audiences Arts for Learning.
- We are a partner organization of Arts Education Partnership (AEP). Yael Silk became a member of AEP’s Equity Working Group in August 2018.
- We are a member of the National Guild for Community Arts Education.
