Center for Instructional Support

Arts & Cultural Vitality Index

  1. I. Overview
  2. II. Opportunities
  3. III. About the Resource
  4. IV. Video Testimonials
  5. V. Downloadable Version of Resource

I. Overview:

In support of sustaining a creative and inclusive school climate, DESE is working as a partner to support schools with using its Arts & Cultural Vitality (ACV) Index. This resource is a voluntary self-evaluation schools can use to examine their unique arts and cultural assets. The ACV Index details a structure for identifying areas of strength, and pinpointing opportunities to advance the arts and cultural vitality within the school community.

II. Opportunities

Funding Opportunity

The current funding opportunities for the 'Supporting Arts & Cultural Vitality (ACV) Teams' grant program can be found here: FY2026 Fund Code 0718: Supporting Arts & Cultural Vitality Teams - Grants and Other Financial Assistance Programs.

Grant Information Session

Register for DESE's FY26 Grant Information Session :

  • Thursday, September 18, 2025; 4:00–5:00 p.m.

Learning Opportunities

ACV Index Professional Learning Community:
Required of grant recipients, Open to all MA arts programs

Track 1:

  • Launch Meeting: Tuesday, November 18, 4:00–5:00 pm
  • PLC:
    • Session 1: Tuesday, December 09, 4:00–5:00 pm
    • Session 2: Wednesday, January 28, 4:00–5:00 pm
    • Session 3: Tuesday, March 10, 4:00–5:00 pm
    • Session 4: Wednesday, April 29, 4:00–5:00 pm

Tracks 2 and 3:

  • Launch Meeting: Wednesday, November 19, 4:00–5:00 pm
  • PLC:
    • Session 1: Tuesday, December 09, 4:30–5:30 pm
    • Session 2: Wednesday, January 28, 4:30–5:30 pm
    • Session 3: Tuesday, March 10, 4:30–5:30 pm
    • Session 4: Wednesday, April 29, 4:00–5:00 pm

For those who are not part of a grant program, email dawn.m.benski@mass.gov to enroll.

Learn More

III. About the Resource:

The ACV Index is a resource that:

  • Provides a voluntary, self-evaluation tool schools can use to examine their unique arts and cultural assets.
  • Supports a 'sustaining' creative and inclusive school climate
  • Details a structure for identifying areas of strength
  • Pinpoints opportunities to advance the arts and cultural vitality within the school community

The resource is comprised of rubrics that address Four Levers by which to examine School Arts & Culture.

Lever One: Infrastructure

  • Examines systems and structures in place for implementing culturally sustaining practices, routine procedures, policies, and provisioning for successful arts and culture programming and services, as well as processes in place to remove historically inequitable barriers to learning.

Lever Two: Opportunity

  • offers students, families, and staff rich opportunities to learn and engage through arts and culture. They ensure that all school members have access and equity in arts and culture programming and services both in and out of school.

Lever Three: Participation

  • has a high level of engagement, and active and equitable participation in arts and culture programming and services by all members of the school community.

Lever Four: Impact

  • evaluates arts and culture programming and services by the effect they have on the community, particularly on student learning, educator effectiveness, and school climate outcomes, and has evidence of significant, positive, and equitable impact.

IV. Video Testimonials:

Featured Video— A Superintendent's Perspective

IV. The Arts & Cultural Vitality Index for Massachusetts Schools

Click the link above to download a Word document of the complete resource. Revised December 2023

Last Updated: September 8, 2025

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