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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.

FY2023-2024 Meeting Schedule

DateTimeLocation
March 28, 20243:00pm–4:30pmZOOM
January 25, 20243:00pm–4:30pmZOOM
November 30, 20233:00pm–4:30pmZOOM
October 26, 20233:00pm–4:30pmZOOM

Seeking Members for the Arts Education Advisory Council:
The Arts Education Advisory Council of the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education is seeking applications from individuals interested in advising DESE and the Board on topics related to arts education. The council advises the Board and DESE on unmet needs within the state in the arts education of children. Discussions will likely include the development of resources and initiatives centered on implementation of the 2019 Arts Curriculum Framework .

It is anticipated that meetings will be 90 minutes long and take place four times per year. Members are expected to attend all four scheduled meetings per year, if possible. The meetings for SY24-25, held virtually, subject to change, are tentatively scheduled for:

  • 3:00–4:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 17, 2024 (Virtual)
  • 3:00–4:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 21, 2024 (Virtual)
  • 3:00–4:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 16, 2025 (Virtual)
  • 3:00–4:30 pm on Thursday, March 27, 2025 (Virtual)

Interested candidates should submit a letter of interest describing their arts education experience and explaining why they want to be appointed, then email the letter and a resume to Dawn.M.Benski@Mass.gov by Friday, June 28, 2024.

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
Laura BrophyPerforming Arts TeacherMansfield Public Schools
Richard DaviesArt TeacherNatick Public Schools
Amy DragoDistrict-Wide Art TeacherWakefield Public Schools
Priscilla Kane HellwegTeaching Artist and CEOArts Integration Studio
Julie JaronDirector of Visual and Performing ArtsSpringfield Public Schools
Simone KivettArt TeacherLynn Public Schools
Craig LangloisEquity of Learning District Data CoordinatorPittsfield Public Schools
Sandra NicolucciAssociate Professor of Music (Emerita)Boston University
Katherine RamsayVisual Arts Teacher/District-Wide Curriculum Content Leader (Visual Art)Tyngsborough Public Schools
Lauren Saracino (AEAC CO-CHAIR)Assistant Curriculum Director for Fine and Performing ArtsWeymouth Public Schools
Lynn Souza (AEAC CO-CHAIR)Director of Fine Arts (K–12)New Bedford Public Schools
Lisa StruppaVisual Arts TeacherUxbridge Public Schools
Avery WingArt TeacherHuntington Public Schools
Andrea WivcharLead Music Teacher K–8Chelsea Public Schools

Contact Information

Advisory Council Chair:

Ms. Lynn Souza
Director of Fine Arts K–12
New Bedford Public Schools
455 County Street, Room 236
New Bedford, MA 02740
508-997-4511 ext. 14104

Resources

Councils' Meeting Minutes

Coming Soon

Last Updated: April 30, 2024

 
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Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
135 Santilli Highway, Everett, MA 02149

Voice: (781) 338-3000
TTY: (800) 439-2370

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