Houston – Houston Life frequently highlights Houston’s theater scene. The city has a diverse range of productions from plays to concerts and beyond. However, it’s worth noting how arts education shaped these talented individuals in the industry. Many can credit early exposure and training in the arts as the foundation for their success.
Unfortunately, not everyone has the same access.
A recent study conducted by BIPOC Arts Network and Fund or BANF sheds light on the challenges faced by the BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) -led arts organizations in accessing arts education opportunities for students in kindergarten through twelfth grade. The study, titled “Arts Education Landscape Exploration Project” highlights significant disparities and barriers hindering equitable access to arts education for communities in the greater Houston area.
Houston Life’s Tessa Barrera spoke to Armando Silva, the executive director of the Multicultural Education and Counseling through the Arts or MECA. Joining the conversation was Charity Carter, the executive director of the Edison Arts Foundation, and Amina Clarke-Walker. She is a first grader who has benefitted from arts education in her school.
According to BANF, here is what they found is needed to improve access to arts education in the Houston community:
1. A Community-Centric Approach
The Arts Education Landscape Exploration Project or AELEP’s findings underscore a significant shift towards community-centric arts education. This approach leverages community spaces, such as community centers and places of worship, to provide critical arts education programming, circumventing the challenges of in-school engagements.
2. Intergenerational Engagement
A key theme that emerged is the emphasis on intergenerational engagement, embodying the proverb ‘It takes a village to raise a child.’ This highlights the BIPOC arts community’s commitment to preserving culture, history, and connections across generations, especially when educational curriculums may not fully represent the diversity of BIPOC experiences.
3. A Holistic Well-Being Focus
The project revealed a pressing need for greater mental health support and a focus on the holistic well-being of students, educators, and the community. This opens doors for innovative collaborations between the arts education sector and the fields of arts in medicine and holistic wellness, enriching BIPOC arts education spaces.
4. Support for BIPOC Cultural Workers
Facilitators identified a crucial need for deliberate self-care and mentorship within the BIPOC cultural worker community. Addressing this will not only foster community connection and support networks but also ensure the sustainability and growth of generational leadership within the BIPOC arts ecosystem.
As the arts sector strives for diversity, equity, and inclusion, those involved in the study say addressing the findings will improve access to arts education.
The study has led BANF to launch an arts education pilot project based on the findings. This initiative will consider the recommendations and aim to create a BIPOC arts ecosystem in Houston, supported by a network of artists, organizations, and community members.
You can get involved with BANF here.