Arizona Citizens For The Arts Plans 'Listening Sessions' For Community Input For Arts Education Advocacy Strategy

As part of a program to design a sustainable, effective Arts Education Advocacy strategy and movement in Arizona, Arizona Citizens for the Arts (AzCA) has scheduled a series of in-person and online "listening sessions" for input from individuals, arts and business leaders, arts and education advocates and the general public.

In-person listening sessions, which include food and non-alcoholic beverages, have been scheduled in Yuma and Flagstaff. In Yuma, the session is Friday, Sept. 14 from 3:30-5 p.m. and 6:30-8 p.m. at the Littlewood Fine Art and Community Co-Op, 1480 S. 2nd Ave. Participants can join the discussion onsite or through Facebook Live (www.facebook.com/pg/LittlewoodCoOp/events/?ref=page_internal). The Flagstaff session, which is in-person only, is Thursday, Sept. 27 from 3:30-5 p.m. in the gallery at the Flagstaff Arts Council, 2300 N. Fort Valley Road.

Registration is not required but is recommended. For more information, email artsedcollab@azcitizensforthearts.org.

The sessions will be moderated by Amanda Kaye and Colleen Conley, partners at ckSYNERGY with support from AzCA Executive Director Catherine "Rusty" Foley.

Anyone interested in completing the online survey should go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/YVNFZ2N.

The project is funded by the David and Lura Lovell Foundation of Tucson.

"We have always been committed to promoting the importance and value of arts education to the well-being and academic success of Arizona's young people," Foley said. "Our experience, however has led us to conclude that this agenda requires that we work collaboratively to create a more formal and inclusive Arts Education Advocacy effort that reflects the breadth and diversity of the arts education community. This part of the process allows us to engage the community's expertise in establishing the ways and resources to promote more and better arts education in Arizona."

For more information about Arizona Citizens for the Arts, visit www.azcitizensforthearts.org.