Theory of Change

The educational landscape in New Orleans is unlike any other. While charter autonomy allows for innovation, a number of systemic challenges remain. One way schools can meet the needs of a diverse community of learners while also sustaining the deep cultural roots of our historic city is through the arts. Integrating the arts in academic learning not only enables students to develop a more holistic understanding of content, it also strengthens their creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and communication.

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Activities

  • Professional teaching artists partner with classroom teachers to create and lead arts-integrated lessons

  • Classroom teachers participate in monthly professional development sessions

  • Training for teachers and teaching artists nationally and internationally

  • Research and data through continuous evaluation and assessment of programs

  • Regular opportunities to engage families through online and in-person curricula, classes, and events

Outputs

  • Students receive high-quality arts-integrated instruction weekly for the entire school year

  • Classroom teachers and teaching artists develop strategies for integrating the creative process with academic objectives

  • Documentation and evaluation demonstrate student work and growth to schools, communities, and students themselves

  • Families attend KID smART events and joyfully engage with their children’s learning

Outcomes

  • Students grow in academic and artistic skills, social-emotional learning, critical thinking, creativity, and joyful engagement

  • Teachers are equipped to create high-quality, differentiated lessons and cultivate safe and joyful learning spaces leading to higher teacher satisfaction

  • School leaders value arts-integration and incorporate it into school culture, planning, and pedagogy

  • Families are informed about the benefits of arts learning and advocate for KID smART at their children’s schools

  • KID smART cultivates and coordinates intentional partnerships to strengthen reach, resources, and advocacy

  • KID smART is a dynamic, creative organization that delivers high-quality, culturally relevant arts education and is supported by families, schools, and funders

Impacts

  • Students develop a love of learning and an appreciation of the arts and become well-rounded and resilient community members with the skills and confidence to succeed

  • A stable community of educators that embraces the arts throughout their careers leads to thousands of students receiving arts-rich education

  • Schools value diverse forms of achievement, prioritize holistic approaches to student learning, and demonstrate sustainable models for teaching to the whole child

  • Greater advocacy and financial support for the arts ensures vibrant, sustainable communities

  • KID smART is a recognized arts education thought leader

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