Culture & Arts Education Policy

EDU A153 Subject & Catalog Number

Description

What has “cultural policy” historically meant domestically in the US, and what does it need to be to support a 21st century understanding of creativity and expression? What are the ecosystems that have evolved to support artists and arts workers, what roles do they play, and what gaps do they leave? How can the arts and culture contribute to broader public policy goals, such as civic engagement, health and well-being, education, and the health of the US democracy?

A153 unpacks these questions alongside scholars, cultural policy practitioners, and artists, through readings, robust dialogue, and engagement with culture-based interventions. To grapple with these questions, students will converse with experts with a vast array of experiences including federal officials who have overseen cultural policies at the national level; arts advocates and organizers; private philanthropic strategists; and others. Students will also have the opportunity to visit local organizations that exemplify the ways the arts can serve as a public and community resource.

Students will come away with the ability to recognize the impacts of policymaking in daily life, understand key input factors and environments that influence policymaking and related outcomes, develop perspectives on arts policy in the US today, and workshop tools to dream up futures for the arts and culture in a healthy democracy.