New Resource Hub, Same Big Goal: More Art for More Kids
“We believe in arts education—but what can we actually do to make it stronger, more consistent, and more accessible for students?”
At AEC, we hear a version of this question all the time and that is exactly why we’re excited to launch our new resource page: a curated collection of tools designed to help schools, districts, teaching artists, and community partners improve arts education programs—together.
This isn’t a grab bag of random links. It’s a practical, field-tested set of resources organized around what we know works.
Why a Resources Page Now?
Across our region and beyond, arts education leaders are navigating real challenges: competing priorities, limited time, staffing shifts, and uneven access for students. At the same time, we see enormous momentum—educators and administrators who want to do better and are looking for concrete ways to move forward.
We created this resources page to make that next step clearer and easier. Our goal is simple and shared: to collectively get more art to more kids.
Organized Around What School Leaders Can Do
The resources we’ve curated are aligned to Arts Education Partnership’s publication, “What School Leaders Can Do to Increase Arts Education.” Using this framework as an organizing principle, the new resources page points users toward tools that support:
- Strategic thinking about arts education goals
- Stronger systems and structures that sustain programs over time
- Clearer roles and shared responsibility between schools and arts partners
- Equitable access so all students—not just some—benefit from arts learning
Whether you’re just getting started or refining an existing program, we can help you determine where you are and what might come next.
What You’ll Find on the Resources Page
You’ll find a curated selection of materials we trust and regularly use in our own work, including:
- Planning and reflection tools about establishing a schoolwide commitment to the arts
- Materials that support the investment of time and resources into arts learning
- Guides that uplift the creation of an arts rich learning environment
Each resource is included because it supports real decision-making—not theory for theory’s sake.
This page will continue to grow over time, reflecting what we’re learning alongside our partners.
Who This Is For
The Resources page is designed for a wide range of arts education champions, including:
- School leaders and administrators
- District staff and arts supervisors
- Teaching artists and arts organization staff
- Funders and community partners
- Anyone asking, “How do we make our arts education efforts more powerful, student-focused, and sustainable?”
You don’t need to use everything. Start where it makes sense for your context.
Want Help Using These Tools?
Resources are powerful—but sometimes what really makes the difference is having a thought partner.
If you’d like support applying these tools to your specific situation, you’re invited to book time with AEC’s Executive Director, Yael Silk, for a 1:1 conversation:
👉 https://calendly.com/yaelsilk/30min
Organizations can also hire AEC for facilitation and planning support, including:
- Clarifying arts education goals through guided strategic planning aligned with district priorities
- Strengthening systems and leadership practice that sustain high-quality arts education over time
- Supporting district leaders in making informed, actionable decisions that expand equitable access to arts learning
Take a Look—and Let Us Know What You Need
We encourage you to explore our new Resources page, share it with colleagues, and try out a tool that feels useful right now.
And if you don’t see something you need? Tell us! This work is collaborative by design, and the page will evolve as our collective understanding grows.
When we learn from each other—and act together—we move closer to what we all want: powerful, personally relevant arts learning opportunities for every child in Southwestern Pennsylvania.