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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.
Funding Opportunity
The current funding opportunities for the Arts & Cultural Vitality Index have not yet been posted. Please visit this site again for upcoming funding coming soon in FY26.
Learning Opportunities
ACV Index Professional Learning Community: Required of grant recipients, Open to all MA arts programs
Track 1:
Tracks 2 and 3:
For those who are not part of a grant program, email dawn.m.benski@mass.gov to enroll.
Learn More
The ACV Index is a resource that:
The resource is comprised of rubrics that address Four Levers by which to examine School Arts & Culture.
Lever One: Infrastructure
Lever Two: Opportunity
Lever Three: Participation
Lever Four: Impact
Featured Video— A Superintendent's Perspective
Click the link above to download a Word document of the complete resource. Revised December 2023
Last Updated: August 7, 2025