Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE)

Arts Education Advisory Council

The Arts Education Advisory Council advises the Commissioner and Board of Education on matters pertinent to the development of arts education in the Commonwealth. This includes examining statewide trends and needs, seeking public and professional input, identifying model programs, and making recommendations on policies and programs for the dance, music, theatre, and visual and media arts components of the Massachusetts Arts Curriculum Framework.

SY 2025-2026 Meeting Schedule

DateTimeLocation
Thursday, January 15, 20263:00–4:30 p.m.Virtual
Thursday, February 12, 20263:00–4:30 p.m.Virtual
Thursday, March 19, 20263:00–4:30 p.m.Virtual
Thursday, April 16, 20263:00–4:30 p.m.Virtual

Council Members

Council members reflect a wide range of perspectives and activities in arts education. They include arts teachers and directors, practicing artists, professors of arts education, and staff members from arts organizations. All of the arts disciplines are represented.

NameTitleInstitution
Jackie Carvey (AEAC Co-Chair)Music Educatorformerly Westwood Public Schools
Kathleen DaileyFine Arts TeacherReading Memorial High School
Richard DaviesArt TeacherNatick Public Schools
Cari DiCiccoK–12 Arts CoordinatorEverett Public Schools
Ashley DokeArt TeacherNorth Reading Public Schools
Amy DragoDistrict-Wide Art TeacherWakefield Public Schools
Priscilla Kane HellwegTeaching Artist and CEOArts Integration Studio
Simone KivettArt TeacherLynn Public Schools
Sarah Cadieux PachecoTeaching and Learning Specialist (Fine Arts)New Bedford Public Schools
Katherine RamsayVisual Arts Teacher/District-Wide Curriculum Content Leader (Visual Art)Tyngsborough Public Schools
Lauren Saracino (AEAC Co-Chair)Director of Performing ArtsWellesley Public Schools
Lisa StruppaVisual Arts TeacherUxbridge Public Schools
Jamie UllrichExecutive DirectorRehearsal for Life
Avery WingArt TeacherHuntington Public Schools
Andrea WivcharLead Music Teacher K–8Chelsea Public Schools

Contact Information

Advisory Council Chair:

Ms. Lauren Saracino (Main Contact)
Director of Performing Arts
Wellesley Public Schools
40 Kingsbury Street
Wellesley, Massachusetts 02481

Ms. Jackie Carvey
TBD

Resources

Councils' Meeting Minutes

Coming Soon

Last Updated: March 11, 2026

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