Last week I was talking with a middle school principal in one of CAE’s programs. A network planning meeting was concluding and we got to talking about quality. At first, I thought he was asking about quality arts instruction, as in “how do you support and measure it?” It’s the sort of question you want…

I am in DC for a three-day  conference being held by the United States Department of Education for its arts education grantees. So, I am looking over the agenda, and lo and behold, I see a roundtable discussion titled: “Arts Education vs Arts Integration.” It’s the second time in the past six months I have…

Buyer beware: this is not a brief blog… Last Tuesday, the New York City Department of Education released its second Annual Arts in the Schools Report, which is part of a larger initiative called Arts Count. There were three press articles that covered this report: NY Times NY Post Inside Schools Here is the press…

Okay, I know, it makes no sense. Why would we pay kids to study arts education when they like studying the arts, it has a positive effect on attendance, and in many districts across the nation, kids are denied access to arts instruction? I was just trying to get your attention. If you haven’t already…

And you thought the debates were over. This will be a good one. Click here to register. Education and the Election Two must-see events on edweek.org Live Debate: Education and the Next President Exclusive webcast, Tuesday, October 21, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Eastern time Live from Teachers College, Columbia University: “Education and the Next…

“Rave review.” That’s right, by me! Overlooked among the media coverage on Doctor Atomic is the support provided for those who want to learn more. When it comes to opera, I have long admired John Adams for creating works that have direct relevance to my life and times. Don’t get me wrong, I admire John…

Over the past year or two we’ve seen the emergence of significant studies to determine the levels of access to arts education by students in a given state or in some instances a city. Later today, the New York City Department of Education will release its second Annual Arts in the Schools Report. This year,…

Early on in my tenure at CAE, I had lunch with an extremely talented principal of a charter school with a heavy focus on the arts. There was so much to admire, not the least of which was the principal’s commitment to excellence, innovation, and high standards. Among the charter school movement, it is central…

I have had the good fortune to be associated with Chamber Music America’s New Music Institutes, which are a series of institutes across New York State providing professional development for students, professional artists, and managers in connection with the creation, performance, and promotion of new chamber music. Last week at SUNY Potsdam, I was deeply…

I always thought he was underestimated as an actor. It wasn’t just  as measured by the number of Academy Awards, but rather by the opinions of all my friends that he wasn’t on par with Marlon Brando, Robert DeNiro, Gregory Peck, Lawrence Olivier, etc. I argued then and will argue now. I know it sounds…