COVID-19 Resources for Educators and Learners

Updated January 2022

We are still grappling with the ever-changing realities of educating youth during the COVID-19 pandemic. As the pandemic evolves and shifts, educators’ needs have changed as well. Below is an updated set of resources on the following topics:   

• Virtual learning resources 
• Accessing federal funding for arts education
• Safety and other considerations for teaching the arts during the pandemic 

If you have arts education focused regional resources you would like to add to this page please complete this brief form. If you have requests for types of resources you’d like us to find, please reach out to us at info@artsedcollab.org. 

Virtual Learning Resources:

• Arts at Home resources (Creative Learning Network) offer families and schools engaging video content and other resources in an array of arts disciplines from SWPA teaching artists. Scroll the content or use the search function to find what you’re looking for 😀 
• Creative Connections lessons for all learners (The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust). The lessons feature videos, instructions, and resource lists in different arts disciplines for connecting with the arts at home. 
• artlook® Virtual and Online Programs (Ingenuity). Already a fan of Arts Ed Collaborative’s artlook® SWPA? Check out which arts partners have virtual offerings by checking out artlook ®’s Virtual Library feature. Select “Program Directory” and start searching! 
• IU1 Evolve (Intermediate Unit 1) an Essential Virtual Online Learning Vault for Educators, where you can receive professional development anytime, anywhere! 
• Onramp – Accessing and Accelerating Remote Learning (Allegheny Intermediate Unit) features focused asynchronous video modules and synchronous virtual sessions that can be accessed anytime, anywhere. Search for “arts” and find arts-focused professional learning content (and maybe even some sessions recorded by Arts Ed Collaborative). 
• Guidance on Culturally Responsive-Sustaining Remote Education (Metropolitan Center for Research on Equity and the Transformation of Schools) 

Accessing federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funding for arts education (you read that right!): 

• Recommended Arts Education ESSER Investments (Arts Ed Collaborative) 
• ESSER Funding Toolkit (National Association for Music Education)  
• Getting Equitable Access to Arts Education: Understanding the American Rescue Plan Act (Grantmakers in the Arts) 

Safety and other considerations for teaching the arts during the pandemic:

Pennsylvania resources:

• PA Arts COVID-19 Reopening Plan (Pennsylvania Thespians, Media Arts Coalition of Educators, Pennsylvania Dance Education Organization, Pennsylvania Music Educators Organization and Pennsylvania Art Education Association). This plan offers guidelines to assist administrator/teachers in modifying and enhancing the Arts (Dance, Media Arts, Music, Theatre, Visual Arts), including ensembles, classes and co-curricular activities, toward meeting PDE (PA Department of Education) phased reopening guidelines. 
• Guidance and recommendations for Reopening the Arts and Culture Sector (Pennsylvania Council on the Arts) 

• The Pennsylvania Department of Education has a COVID-19 resources page for school communities that includes messages from the Secretary, FAQs, and tips for talking to children about COVID-19. 
• Free COVID Home Tests | Order up to 24 free home COVID tests

National resources:

• Using the Performing Arts Aerosol Research Study to Keep Music in Our Classrooms (National Association for Music Education) November 2021  
• Return to Music: Phase III Guidance and Resources (National Association for Music Education) updated August 2021 with additional resources at https://nafme.org/covid-19/ 
• Tips to Returning to the Visual Arts and Design Classroom (National Art Education Association)  
• Recommendations for Reopening School Theatre Programs (Educational Theatre Association)  
• Teaching Dance in Fall 2020 (National Dance Education Association)