Dallas Arts Learning Initiative

Kids need art. It sparks their imaginations and feeds their spirits. It improves their academic performance and encourages them to stay in school. It connects them to their families, their cultures and their communities. Even though research proves all these benefits of art, the number of kids who have consistent access to quality arts experiences is woefully small. Read more (PDF)

Dallas Arts Learning Initiative is a groundbreaking partnership between the City of Dallas, Dallas Independent School District, The Wallace Foundation and local cultural organizations to unite Dallas' arts, civic, educational and cultural resources to support K-12 education wherever students and their families learn. The initiative will be managed by Big Thought. The overarching objective of this initiative is to create a plan that will elevate the role of the arts in the lives of children both in-school and out of school, and with their families.

The Dallas Arts Learning Initiative focuses on using the arts, culture, and creativity to positively impact the quality of education in three distinct learning environments.

Arts Learning in Schools - Formal instruction in the arts provided by specialized   arts teachers

Arts Integration - Integrating the arts into the general classroom as an inspirational catalyst to enhance learning across all subject areas

Arts in Communities - Creative learning that takes place in a variety of community settings such as choirs in churces, dance classes in recreation centers, painting classes at neighborhood galleries, etc.