Who We Are | Theory of Change | History | Programs | Who Participates
Values | Practice | Impact | Measurement | Recognition | The Future
Theory of Change
Every young person must have the opportunity to develop an active imagination, and innovation in arts education ensures all young people can. We believe there is no greater possibility for change than if every American pauses throughout life to create, to use the imagination to develop possibilities for ourselves and the world.
Our democracy will fulfill its promise once all of us have the freedom and ability to make meaning, formulate ideas, ask hard questions, and imagine more promising alternatives for the world and ourselves. All young people – no matter their place in society – are entitled to become more creative, independent thinkers.
The sad truth, though, is that the majority of us do not develop a creative practice. The majority of us learn we are not creative. Systemic sorting selects a few as “creative,” while leaving the rest behind. Often, this occurs by not offering the arts consistently in education. At worst, arts education upholds the idea that the majority of learners are not technically gifted as artists, and, therefore, not creative. Bureaucratic school systems and large schools slow to change fail to create learning environments in which the practice of imagination and freedom is possible.
For most of America, few have the resources needed to overcome these barriers. Few develop a creative practice. Young people must develop a more active imagination, which provides the freedom to envision new possibilities for themselves and the world. For one to work towards this practice, people need a network of support that pushes them to create. If people can draw on diverse sources of inspiration and connect with artists across disciplines, that community, and we believe, that practice will be stronger.
