The BIPOC Arts Network and Fund (BANF), in collaboration with Arts Connect Houston, shared the outcomes from their pilot initiative, the Arts Education Landscape Exploration Project. This initiative casts a spotlight on the evolving landscape of art education within the Greater Houston Area, with a dedicated focus on fostering the success of BIPOC students in K-12 education.
The study explored the intricate relationship between BIPOC artists, arts organizations, and arts education, especially in the wake of the profound disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Sixto Wagan, Project Director at BANF, said, “The findings present a compelling vision for a future where community spaces play a central role in the increasingly important web of services to support students of color in our city.”
Taylor Bush, Associate Director at Arts Connect Houston and Co-Facilitator of the project, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration: “Arts Connect Houston is thrilled to be a part of a project focused on expanding access to arts education provided by BIPOC artists and arts organizations. We hope to continue to be a community connector and look forward to seeing this project’s direction.”
The major takeaway from the study emphasizes a shift towards leveraging community spaces such as community centers, places of worship, and other publicly accessible venues for arts education and community-supported arts programming. This pivot addresses the ongoing challenges faced by arts organizations in collaborating with schools, including fluctuating protocols, vendor status complications, and on-campus support issues, advocating for a more resilient and accessible model for arts engagement.
The project study also highlighted a strong inclination towards intergenerational engagement within the BIPOC arts community, echoing the timeless wisdom that “It takes a village to raise a child.” This theme highlights the importance of connecting students with a broad spectrum of role models and mentors, ensuring the preservation and transmission of cultural heritage, history, and values in an era where educational curriculums may not fully represent the rich diversity of BIPOC experiences.
A recurring theme throughout the study was the critical need for enhanced mental health support and a holistic focus on the well-being of students, educators, and the community. Recognizing this gap, the cohort envisions fertile ground for collaboration between the arts education sector and the emerging field of arts in medicine and other holistic wellness services, among others. This holistic approach advocates for a more integrated model of arts education that prioritizes participants’ mental and emotional wellness.
The full report is available in English: https://bit.ly/BANFArtsEd24 or Spanish: https://bit.ly/BANFArtsEd24-esp. The learnings from the Arts Education Landscape Exploration Project will be considered as BANF designs a future arts education-focused resource initiative.