Increasing Literacy and Social Emotional Learning through Arts Integration Arts Partners, in partnership with Wichita Public Schools (WPS), Teaching Artists, Friends University and several Arts organizations, will coordinate and implement eight unique professional develop opportunities for art and music educators across the region, presented by professional teaching artists, with the focus on how to integrate art forms and techniques in the classroom. The various methods used for professional development will give teachers the tools needed to provide students with hands-on programming designed to increase student’s English Language Arts and social emotional skills, expand inclusion opportunities for students with disabilities, and provide ideas to develop family engagement opportunities and community involvement.

Arts Partners will provide professional teaching artists for each classroom within seven Title I schools at Wichita Public Schools for 2,800 low-income students and 14 art and music teachers. Teaching Artists will provide lesson plans for teachers to follow along and will provide all supplies for every student. They will lead all instruction two times each week during 3 quarters of the school year, beginning 2022-2026, leaving the 1st quarter open to collaborate with school teacher’s to determine the program for the year. 

The initial three years of the five-year program involves Wichita Public Schools. The final two years, the program expands into three additional school districts. The program will make a profound impact on approximately 5,000 students throughout all four districts and art and music educators through professional development and collaboration with teaching artists in the classroom.