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State Arts Council creates “SWAT” teams to help schools, districts improve arts education programs, policies, curriculum

News release

A new Kentucky Arts Council program is available for schools and school districts that want to improve their arts education programs, policies and curriculum.

The Specialists With Arts Tactics (SWAT) Team program provides short-term technical assistance consultancies to schools and districts in the state. Consultants are available to help with policy writing, integrating an arts plan in the school or district improvement plans, arts curriculum alignment, developing performance assessments and integrating the arts across the curriculum. Consultancy fees are paid by the arts council. In some instances, schools may be required to pay nominal costs associated with the consultancy.

“Schools that want to see results from their arts programs and assessments should consider applying for a SWAT Team consultancy,” said Lori Meadows, arts council executive director. “Our trained consultants can answer questions school or district representatives might have in relation to improving and integrating arts education for their students.”

Any Kentucky public or private school or district that supports grades P-12 may apply for a SWAT Team consultancy. Applications are accepted year-round and should be submitted at least 30 days in advance of the desired date of the consultancy. Applicants can be awarded two consultancies per year.

In addition to the SWAT Team program, the arts council has made updates to another of its education programs, including a name change. The grant program known formerly as the Teacher Initiated Program is now the Teaching Art Together grant.

The Teaching Art Together grant allows teachers to collaborate with practicing, professional artists on the design and implementation of innovative five- to 20-day residencies. Residencies provide teachers with the tools to continue to incorporate the arts into the curriculum after the residency is completed.

Guidelines for the SWAT Team and Teaching Art Together programs can be found online at the program Web pages. For more information about applying for any of the arts council’s education programs, contact Rachel Allen, arts education director, at 502-564-8100 or [email protected].