Our Team
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
Humanity matters.
People need to be cared for before they can do their best work. Everyone we encounter in our work is worthy of being treated with respect and dignity.
The arts are essential.
We sincerely believe in the arts as an indispensable part of the human experience.
Inclusivity strengthens collaboration.
Everyone we work with knows something we don’t—we can learn from one another. Collaboration must be equitable and change-oriented if we are to dismantle harmful structures and build a liberated future. The more we share power, the better the outcome for all.
Continual inquiry propels our work.
We ask questions to further our understanding of what is and to help us figure out what might be.
Change is possible.
We believe the current way of doing things can be improved or reimagined. Our work can make a difference, especially when we are willing to take creative risks.
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
Arts Ed Collaborative (AEC) is an independent project of Carnegie Museum of Art (CMOA), one of the four Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh (CMP).
AEC operates as an independent project of CMOA under its own distinct mission. AEC is operationally distinct from CMOA, employing dedicated staff and operating a separate organizational budget. AEC fundraises independently from other CMP fundraising efforts and, while accessing some institutional resources at CMP, has developed an independent sustainability plan. Work at AEC is guided by an advisory committee that remains separate from CMOA and CMP.
Arts Ed Collaborative maintains connections at the local, state, and national levels.
Local
- We maintain a network of liaisons in local school districts, arts organizations, and higher education institutions to both disseminate and gather information.
- 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 Remake Learning. Yael Silk is a member of the Pittsburgh Regional STE(A)M Ecosystem
- We are a supporter of UniSound.
State
- We are part of Citizens for the Arts in PA and work to connect with legislators.
- 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.
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.
