« Organization and Project Overview

Rachel Wray

Greater Birmingham Arts Education Collaborative

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Kathryn Smith Julie Parker MB SN
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   The Arts Collab is fairly new non-profit organization that was founded only a few short years ago. The Arts Collab provides art education programs to schools, convenes Birmingham's Arts Education Network, and provides professional development to teachers and arts professionals on arts integration. This is a non-profit, 501 (C) 3 organization. The Arts Collab is a part of the Artistic Literacy Consortium, a statewide partnership funded by Alabama State Council on the Arts, the Alabama State Department of Education and the National Endwoment of the Arts. Additional Support is provided by the Alabama Arts Alliance and the Alabama Institute fro Education in the Arts.


   The Arts Collab's mission is to empower our community to increase student access to quality arts education as part of the Artistic Literary Consortium.  Another part of the Arts Collab's mission is to increase access to art education where it's currently unavailable. To provide academic support for schools and custom support for teachers where they need it most. To coordinate and align a wide range of arts education partners from across the area. To increase creative and critical thinking skills for students, attendance, and engagement. To prepare students for college and careers.

   This organization exists to provide arts education to children in low income communities that have little or no access to these opportunities for creative expression. They aim to put smiles on the faces of those they serve and believes that everyone deserves to experience joy while learning. This organization is currently working to bring arts education to all students, regardless of personal cirumstances. Every student deserves access to the arts and this is what they are striving to accomplish. 

   I am currently working on reviewing documents for grants and learning the guidelines for becoming eligible for grant opportunities for several organizations in Alabama. I have been researching different grant programs from several organizations and plan on using what ive learned so far to help me progress in next week's assigned project. I have recently been learbing about why t is important for the Art's Collab to maintain close communication with fellow organizations they have recieved grants from in the past, so that for the future they are able to apply again, to continue serving for the community. 


4 replies
  1. Post by Sankhepo Ndhlovu
    Re: Greater Birmingham Arts Education Collaborative
    It's very interesting that this organization aims to put a smile on little kids faces. Yes, everybody deserves to have a joyful learning experience, but it is so unfortunate that not everybody gets such an experience. It's just so sad that so many kids out there cannot fully develop their  talents due to various issues, especially due to the fact that they cannot attain an education because they come from low-income families. I feel like it's not fair for such children to not pursue their artistic dreams because they did not choose to be born into the families that they were born in. Thank goodness for organizations like these that recognize the need of every child to have an opportunity for creative expression.
  2. Post by Mary Bullock
    reply
    I think this is amazing and such a wonderful cause. So many people think community outreach should only cover the basics such as food and shelter. But programs like this nurture the child in other ways that can benefit their entire future. I know that I was blessed to be given the opportunity to explore art and I believe programs like this need to exist to ensure every child has the chance. 
  3. Post by Julie Parker
    Response
    I love how you chose an internship that so closely aligns with your studio art major. It would be incredible if one day (once Covid-19 is over) you could meet the students you helped provide grants to and help teach them about career fields in the arts. Our public school systems have such a "one size fits all" teaching approach which really puts artistically gifted kids at a disadvantage. You should be so proud of the work you are doing this month, as all children deserve equal access to the arts. 
  4. Post by Kathryn Smith
    Re: Greater Birmingham Arts Education Collaborative
    Several of you are working on grants as part of your internship. Grant writing and understanding how to interact with and report to funders is a critical skill for anyone interested in nonprofit work, volunteerism, or activism. I'm so glad you're getting the chance to learn this as an undergrad! 
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