Group of participants sits and talks at the Arts Ed Expo
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Get on the Map: New Arts Partners Invited to Join artlook® SWPA

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Arts organizations and teaching artists across Southwestern Pennsylvania are essential to ensuring young people benefit from powerful, personally relevant arts learning experiences. The artlook® SWPA initiative integrates a shared data platform, educator-focused programs, participant stipends, and field-building publications to strengthen equitable access to high-quality arts education across Southwestern Pennsylvania.

Why artlook® SWPA Matters

The artlook® SWPA platform is more than a directory—it’s a regional tool for connection, visibility, and continuous improvement.

When you create a profile, you can:

  • Showcase your programs to schools and districts actively seeking arts partners
  • Identify and connect with new school and district partners based on shared goals, disciplines, and program outcomes
  • Highlight what makes your work unique, including approaches like social-emotional learning, neurodiversity-affirming practices, and more.
  • Uplift your current partnerships across the region, even with schools not yet on the platform.

artlook® SWPA’s enhanced search tools also make it easier than ever for schools to find you, and for you to find them, leading to enriching partnerships that meet the needs of both parties and uplift arts learning across the region.

👉 Explore the platform: https://swpa.artlookmap.com/

Turning Data into Action

This year, artlook® SWPA contributors received customized Arts Partner Reports—a powerful resource designed to inform decision-making and future planning.

Arts Partner Reports:

  • Showcase how your offerings compare to other arts organizations
  • Highlight what schools are seeking in arts partners
  • Help you adapt and strengthen your programs to better meet schools’ needs

Build Stronger School Partnerships

Another key feature of the artlook® SWPA initiative is in-person programs and learning opportunities designed specifically for arts partners.

This year, AEC hosted:

  • An Arts Partner Fair connecting partners directly with school educators
  • A 4-part Arts Partner Workshop series focused on building knowledge and skills for effective school partnerships
  • The Arts Ed Expo, bringing the SWPA community together around shared learning and collaboration

These programs create space to:

  • Deepen your understanding of how schools operate
  • Strengthen co-planning and collaboration with educators
  • Learn from peers and build lasting relationships

Next year’s workshops will continue this work, with new topics such as workforce development, funding, an intro to the national core arts standards, and healing-centered teaching.

Get Recognized—and Get Paid

To support your participation, AEC is happy to offer sliding scale stipends for eligible arts partners as funds are available. The participant stipends of up to $400 recognize the time it takes to contribute meaningful data and incentivize profile completion and updates.

Ready to Join?

If you’re an arts organization or teaching artist in SWPA working with (or hoping to work with) schools, now is the time to get involved!

👉 Complete this brief commitment form to get started.

Have questions or want support? Reach out—we’re here to help you make the most of artlook® SWPA.