Our Year of Growth

Annual Report 2022-2023

Executive Summary

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Since 2006, ArtsNOW continues to bring learning to life in, and out of, the classroom.

From Our President

Our Year of Growth

At ArtsNOW, our guiding purpose is to reshape learning in, and out of the classroom. For over 20 years, ArtsNOW has transformed education through integrated learning and arts in education. By integrating visual, digital, and performing arts into all subjects, we set the stage for teachers to be more confident and effective in their teaching, leading to deeper student engagement for greater academic and personal success.

The 2022 – 2023 school year was exceptionally awe-inspiring and impact-affirming, as we regained full force with our in-person professional learning and classroom support, expanded our presence significantly into South Carolina, and launched our first annual Principals’ Network Conference to further connect our ArtsNOW partners, community, and thought leaders through arts integration.

Our professional learning and in-classroom support were back stronger than ever! We welcomed 119 new schools and 18 new school districts into partnerships, along with more than 14,000 new educators and administrators, impacting more than 30,000 students.

With a focus on growing our service footprint, ArtsNOW expanded our presence significantly into South Carolina, partnering in a state-wide collaborative with the South Carolina Arts Commission and Arts Grow South Carolina. With the goal of providing equitable access to learning in, and through, the arts, ArtsNOW was able to serve over 380 teachers and 5,800 students.

ArtsNOW grew our programming in Savannah, Georgia by advancing our partnership with Georgia Institute of Technology’s Center for Education Integrating Science, Mathematics, and Computing, better known as “CEISMC”, by adding additional learning opportunities for more than 400 students through STEAM Saturdays and Summer Steam Sessions.

One of our proudest, and most exciting, accomplishments was the premier of our first Principals’ Network Conference in Greenville, South Carolina, which will now become an annual event. ArtsNOW hosted 50 participants from 17 school districts across the Southeast to gain insights, participate in presentations, and share best practices from arts integration leaders.

Looking toward the future of ArtsNOW, we have our sights set on expanding our service footprint, exploring new regional and national partnerships, and significantly adding to our library of online resources for educators and families.

ArtsNOW is on our way to making great strides in advancing arts integration and integrated learning. With the focus on educators and students, and by emphasizing the arts in education, ArtsNOW continues to provide an engaging learning environment that promotes teacher confidence and improves student engagement.

Thank you for joining us as we continue to bring learning to life!

Pamela Walker, CEO/President

From Our President

Our Year of Growth

At ArtsNOW, our guiding purpose is to reshape learning in - and out of - the classroom. For over 20 years, ArtsNOW has transformed education through integrated learning and arts in education. By integrating visual, digital, and performing arts into all subjects, we set the stage for teachers to be more confident and effective in their teaching, leading to deeper student engagement for greater academic and personal achievement.

The 2022 – 2023 school year was exceptionally awe-inspiring and impact-affirming, as we regained full force with our in-person professional learning and classroom support, expanded our presence significantly into South Carolina, and launched our first annual Principals’ Network Conference to further connect our ArtsNOW partners, community, and thought leaders through arts integration.

Our professional learning and in-classroom support were back stronger than ever! We welcomed 119 new schools and 18 new school districts into partnerships, along with more than 14,000 new educators and administrators, impacting more than 30,000 students.
With a focus on growing our service footprint, ArtsNOW expanded our presence significantly into South Carolina, partnering in a state-wide collaborative with the South Carolina Arts Commission and Arts Grow South Carolina. With the goal of providing equitable access to learning in, and through, the arts, ArtsNOW was able to serve over 380 teachers and 5,800 students.

ArtsNOW grew our programming headlines in Savannah, Georgia by advancing our partnership with Georgia Institute of Technology’s Center for Education Integrating Science, Mathematics, and Computing, better known as “CEISMC”, by adding additional learning opportunities for more than 400 students through STEAM Saturdays and Summer Steam Sessions.

One of our proudest, and most exciting, accomplishments was the premier of our first Principals’ Network Conference in Greenville, South Carolina, which will now become an annual event. ArtsNOW hosted 50 participants from 17 school districts across the Southeast to gain insights, participate in presentations, and share best practices from arts integration leaders.

Looking toward the future of ArtsNOW, we have our sights set on expanding our service footprint, exploring new regional and national partnerships, and significantly adding to our library of online resources for educators and families.

ArtsNOW is on our way to making great strides in advancing arts integration and integrated learning. With the focus on educators and students, and by emphasizing the arts in education, ArtsNOW continues to provide an engaging learning environment that promotes teacher confidence and improves student engagement.

Thank you for joining us as we continue to bring learning to life!

From Our Board

IMPACT

Check Out Our Partner Schools!

We are currently working with 287 partner schools in 38 system districts across two states. Hover over the dots to see our partner school lists and read on in this report for examples of the work we are doing in just a few.

Georgia

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South Carolina

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Foundational Seminars

Each year, ArtsNOW Foundational Seminars host teams of educators (K-12) to explore arts-integrated instructional strategies aligned to state and national standards. Foundational Seminars are specifically designed for school teams that include administrators, arts educators, and classroom teachers. Following an immersive two-and-a-half-days, educators leave equipped to bring creativity,

innovation, and arts integration into the classroom across all content areas. Highlights include research-based strategies, participation in hands-on learning, demonstrations in music, theatre, dance, visual arts, and digital/media arts, and participants receive 20 professional learning contact hours. This year’s Foundational Seminars hosted:

Educators

Schools Represented

School Districts Represented

Partnerships

10+ Years and Growing Stronger

Barrow County

For over a decade, ArtsNOW and Barrow County Schools have worked side-by-side to forge a true district-wide partnership for innovation and arts integration.

With the Center for Innovative Teaching (CFIT) at the heart of the partnership, ArtsNOW leads this Research and Development Lab for continuous improvement.

ArtsNOW and Barrow County Schools have grown our signature ArtsNOW Residency Program, working directly with students while simultaneously offering professional learning for educators. This partnership has been instrumental in the design and development of both the Barrow County Arts and Innovation Magnet (AIM) for grades 6-8, and the Barrow Arts and Sciences Academy (BASA) for grades 9-12.

A chart showing Student Measure of Academic Progress. Students in classrooms of Artsnow Teachers/Leaders perform 3-8 points higher than others.

Pie chart showing that 27 Barrow County teachers have completed the ArtsNow three year residency program

“ArtsNOW is having a real impact on the work we do to make teaching and learning more engaging, with documented results to show it.”
– Dr. Chris McMichael, Superintendent, Barrow County School System

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Shining Bright and Making a Difference

Metro Atlanta, GA

In 2021, ArtsNOW was named as a Learn4Life Metro Atlanta’s Bright Spot for Early Literacy, supporting, and improving educator preparation and effectiveness.

Funding from a private donor allowed ArtsNOW to provide two-year grants to four metro Atlanta schools that demonstrated the need to focus on literacy.

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certified teachers

95%
of participants agreed the
ArtsNOW sessions were an excellent use
of professional development time.

95%
of participants agreed
they gained useful teaching
and learning strategies.

Learning Through the Arts

South Carolina

Arts Grow SC provides equitable access to learning in, and through, the arts for South Carolina students. Building on our mission to equip teachers, engage students, and grow school communities through arts integrated approaches, ArtsNOW is serving as a collaborative state-wide professional learning partner

providing arts-in-education support in underserved communities. Funded by the American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary Schools Emergency Relief (ARP ESSER) fund, Arts Grow SC will help public schools throughout the state address pandemic related learning loss with proven, arts-based learning initiatives.

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“The recent partnership with ArtsNOW has been nothing short of remarkable! I’ve heard time and time again from our teachers that the ArtsNOW model for providing arts integration training is exactly how they learn best. ”
– Bradley D. Wingate, Director of Visual & Performing Arts, Greenville County Schools

The competencies most impacted by ArtsNOW
professional learning were reported as:

Three images with statistic percentages. The first says 91% read critically. The second says 91% express ideas. The third says 91% investigate through inquiry.

Teachers reported that the professional
learning had some or large impact on:

“I’m so loving how our teachers are immediately implementing their new learning!”
– Lisa Fallaw, Principal, East Aiken School for the Arts (Aiken County School District)

STEAM-ing Ahead

Savannah, GA

In Fall of 2021, ArtsNOW partnered with CEISMC (Georgia Tech University’s Center for Education, Integrating Science, Mathematics and Computing), marrying our integrated learning expertise with CEISMC’s STEM

programming to further our mission of integrating arts into traditional curriculum across the state of Georgia. Over the last year, ArtsNOW collaborated with CEISMC to add additional learning opportunities across the Savannah, GA region.

Interactive Sequential Stills
“Interactive Sequential Stills” is a week-long summer session geared towards various grade levels ranging from 3rd-8th grade. This session combined participants’ interest in storytelling, visual arts, and electronics to bring their comic book ideas to life.

STEAM Saturdays
ArtsNOW partners with (CEISMC) to offer STEAM Saturday sessions. These sessions take place at the GaTech Savannah campus on select Saturdays throughout the school year, and are open to students in grades 3-8 in Savannah and the surrounding areas. Students rotate through interactive sessions that integrate science & technology with art forms like visual arts, theater, music and dance.

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Premiering the Principals’ Network Conference

Partner schools’ leadership gathers

In February 2023, ArtsNOW planned and hosted our first Principals’ Network Conference in Greenville, South Carolina. 50 participants from 17 districts across the Southeast came together to experience insights, presentations, and best practices from education and arts integration thought leaders.

As one of the distinguished guest speakers, David A. Dik, National Executive Director of Young Audiences Arts for Learning, spoke to the group about renewing and re-energizing leadership skills for the “new normal” in a post-pandemic world.

Title

FIRST ANNUAL
PRINCIPALS'
CONFERENCE

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“The ArtsNOW Principals’ Network Conference allowed needed time for a group of extraordinary school leaders who see the power of the arts in their classrooms to reflect, rejuvenate, and rethink the challenges and opportunities they face.”
– David Dik, National Executive Director, Young Audiences

100%
of participants strongly
agreed that the opportunity
to network with others was
beneficial

100%
of participants strongly
agreed that they would
attend this event in the
future

100%
of participants strongly
agreed the overall experience
was useful and worth their
time

93%
of participants strongly
agreed the content was very
informative

Small Town, Big Impact

Hephzibah, GA

ArtsNOW and the Chestnut Family Foundation have been working together to help inspire student engagement through the arts in Richmond County, Georgia. Starting with a customized professional learning program, ArtsNOW developed experiences to help teachers implement lessons in the classroom as well as summer and

after-school programs. ArtsNOW provides ongoing support through on-site administrative meetings, professional workshops and demonstrations, and in-school arts experiences.

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“After funding our hometown in Hephzibah, Georgia, and seeing the positive impact in the community, Teresa and I wanted to provide further support to ArtsNOW in order to serve more students and teachers”
– Ben Chesnut

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Hillside Conant

Atlanta, GA

For over ten years, ArtsNOW has had a long standing partnership with Hillside Conant, a residential treatment school that is a part of Atlanta Public Schools. The arts impact students at Hillside in such a way that they are able to express themselves to be their authentic selves. During the 2022-2023 academic year, ArtsNOW provided professional learning support for sixteen (16) teachers and staff members offered student demonstration lessons and arts-integrated residencies for 64 students. Teachers learned strategies for integrating the arts into their core science, social studies, math, language arts, and social emotional learning standards. Our consultants also worked with groups of students integrating their respective arts forms in their daily learning.

National Young Audiences (YA), through funding from the National Endowment for the Arts, has provided an opportunity for ArtsNOW consultants to create

and implement residencies for the students at Hillside through a project titled TARP (Trauma-informed and Responsive Teaching Project). Our dance, drama, and visual arts consultants participated in professional learning related to trauma-informed and healing-centered practices. These strategies are used in our work with students and teachers to create an arts-based residency in which they can apply their learning.

ArtsNOW will be presenting with Hillside Conant at the Teacher Educators for Children with Behavioral Disorders (TECBD) annual conference in Tempe, AZ. ArtsNOW will highlight students’ success stories, data improvements for behavioral and mental health, and data that supports increased teacher efficacy and academic outcomes.

“Our partnership with ArtsNOW has existed for over ten years and has a profound impact on our students and teachers. ArtsNOW provides engagement and a safe and creative outlet and opportunity for self-expression through the arts.”
– Dr. Christina Kennedy, Principal, Hillside Conant School

Barrow County Schools

Barrow County, GA

Learn4Life

Metro Atlanta, GA

Arts Grow SC

South Carolina

GA TECH CEISMC

Savannah, GA

Hephzibah

Hephzibah, GA

Hillside Conant School

Atlanta, GA

First Annual ArtsNOW Principals' Conference

Grants

Sailing Through Math and Science

SAIL (STEM + Art of Integrated Learning)

The STEM + the Art of Integrated Learning (SAIL) grant serves math and science teachers in grades 3-5. The project outcomes focus on improving students’ STEM achievement, building teachers’ capacity to deliver arts integrated

instruction, and developing high-quality arts integrated STEM units. The fine arts educators will also increase their capacity to support student SEL (social and emotional learning) competencies.

Educators

Students

Elementary Schools

“ArtsNOW is a breath of fresh air!…They exude excitement!”
– Tonna Maroni, Calhoun Academy for the Arts (Anderson District 5)

Title

“I’m so loving how our teachers are immediately implementing their new learning!”
– Lisa Fallaw, Principal, East Aiken School for the Arts (Aiken County School District)

Learning SmART-er

SmART Literacy! - Improving Elementary Students’ Reading and Writing Skills

As a result of the five-year SmART Literacy Grant, teachers have moved the needle on their ability to effectively integrate various art forms with their literacy-focused content, raising students’ reading levels and writing skills, while also increasing their engagement and enjoyment of learning.

SmART Literacy, funded by the AAEDD (Assistance for Arts Education Development and Dissemination) federal grant, directly impacts four elementary schools in Georgia and South Carolina through professional learning and job-embedded support provided by ArtsNOW’s curriculum consultants, along with twenty-four

teacher leaders serving as dissemination experts, providing peer mentoring and observation.

Through professional learning, demonstration lessons, videos of exemplary lesson delivery, and digital portfolios, the highly effective instructional strategies taught through this project have been expanded to other classrooms across the districts with expertise sustained at each of our project schools.

See Sample Video Lesson

Q

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Students

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Teachers

Title

“The SmART Literacy grant that we are implementing with ArtsNOW has helped our teachers to design more performance-based and rigorous learning experiences and has allowed our students to thrive. The implementation of quality arts integrated instruction has been a game-changer for our school!
– Judith Condon, Principal Angel Oak Elementary

96%
of teachers agreed their students
react more positively to
arts-integrated lessons.

81%
of teachers agreed
arts integration increased
their enjoyment of teaching.

3x
the number of teachers grew
highly confident with
arts integration from 2019-2023.

Transforming Student Lives Through Literacy and the Arts

REALAI (REimagining and Accelerating Literacy through Arts Integration)

REimagining and Accelerating Literacy through Arts Integration (REALAI), seeks to transform the way young children build their reading skills, while enhancing the motivating and engaging resources available in their school libraries. The IAL program (Innovative Approaches to Literacy) supports high-quality programs designed to develop and improve literacy skills for children and students from birth through grade 12 in high-need local educational agencies

and schools. REALAI fosters students’ literacy achievement through professional development designed to build the capacity of teachers and media specialists to plan and deliver integrated instruction, while also contributing significantly to school library collections through the purchase of developmentally appropriate and culturally relevant books.

Teachers/Media Specialist/
Literacy Coaches

Students

Schools

Title

SAIL

STEM + Art of Integrated Learning

REALAI

REimagining and Accelerating Literacy through Arts Integration

SmART Literacy Federal Grant

FINANCIALS

Annual Financial Growth 2020-2023

Our focus is always on strengthening our financial and organizational model to support our strategic development and expansion to positively impact teaching and learning through the arts. See the highlights of our financial growth below.

Source	2020-2021	2021-2022	2022-2023
Government	$721,878	$1,032,774	$1,299,083
Earned Revenue	$521,268	$746,682	$1,303,539
Investments	$96,973	$7,110	$52,857
Contributions	$56,824	$60,016	$54,749
Foundations	$496,922	$676,441	$531,206
In-kind Donations	$30,000	$30,000	$30,000

Total

$1,923,865

$2,538,803

$3,271,434

2020-2021

2021-2022

2022-2023

SUPPORTERS

ABOUT

MISSION

The mission of ArtsNOW is to transform lives through customized solutions to meet educational needs utilizing arts-integration and innovative strategies.

VISION

ArtsNOW Learning is the leading professional learning organization for resourceful and innovative approaches which engage students, equip educators, and grow school communities for meaningful impact on the future.

ArtsNOW consists of outstanding, nationally recognized educators, fundraisers, consultants, and Board Members, who lead, govern, and provide strategies for teachers to integrate the arts into their daily lessons. Together, we encourage school communities to achieve their full potential.

Meet Our Board of Directors:

Carol McGrevin, Ph.D., Chair
Partner, MCG Partners
Organizational Leadership Consultant

Pamela Walker, CEO & President

Jill Robinson, Secretary
Chief Financial Officer
Atlanta Braves Organization

Rick Rowell, Treasurer
Partner, Bennett Thrasher P.C.

Michael Cavanaugh
President, Building Management Systems, Honeywell International

Lucinda Chapman
Trustee, Trinity School (Atlanta)

Megan Howard Nellen
Founder, Confluence Educational Consulting

Sherry Cohen

David Shatz
Senior Principal of Arts & Cultural Division, Blackbaud

Danna Vetter
Chief Marketing Officer & SVP
Milliken & Company

Doris Kirby Wilson
Chief Client Officer and Sales Leader, Equifax

Meet Our Core Team

Meet Our Advisory Council

Meet Our Partners

Thank you for your continued support in helping ArtsNOW bring learning to life!

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Our Year of Growth

Annual Report 2022-2023

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