U.S. Bank Lends Major Support to Arts Partners

U.S. Bank and the U. S. Bancorp Foundation have awarded $25,000 to the Regional Arts & Culture Council (RACC) to support Arts Partners, a collaboration among artists, arts organizations, school districts, governments, and donors to develop a comprehensive solution for providing arts education opportunities for every student in the Portland metropolitan area. RACC is the managing partner of this collaborative effort. U.S. Bancorp is the parent company of U.S. Bank, the 6th largest commercial bank in the United States. Read the press release.

Arts Partners’ Governance Structure Streamlined

As we move out of planning and into implementing the Arts Partners’ Year One program model in the schools, the initial Governance Structure cried out for “dynamic re-design” to reflect the output of the working committees to date and the nature of the work ahead.

As shown in the revised Arts Partners Governance Structure, the two original program-based committees (Design & Implementation) were transformed into three—Service Delivery, Professional Development, and Assessment & Evaluation—reflecting Arts Partners’ primary program model components.

The other key change is that the Operating Partners [originally known as “Implementation Partner(s)”] have been divided into three distinct yet interrelated roles: Implementation Partner (service delivery in the schools); Professional Development Partner (training of arts service providers and school staff); Evaluation Partner (assessment and evaluation of overall program). These operating roles mirror the functions of the revamped program model committees.

Arts Partners’ emphasis on collaboration will continue to flourish as Operating Partners and their corresponding program model committees work together to develop the best program for our region’s students.

First Arts Partners Schools Named

A total of 20 schools from four districts (Gresham-Barlow, Hillsboro, North Clackamas and Portland) will participate as Arts Partners development sites in 2008-2009. An inquisitive and enthusiastic group of principals from these initial partnering schools gathered at the Interstate Firehouse Cultural Center on August 18th to hear firsthand how Arts Partners’ Year One program will enhance arts education for their students. Upcoming September visits to the schools will mark the first step of on-site planning with school faculty to implement Arts Partners’ program in their buildings.