Since its inception in 2002, the primary purpose of the Allied Arts Education Project (AAEP) has been to provide Whatcom County schools with professionally taught arts education projects using research-based best practices, current assessment methods and in-classroom instruction. We serve over 8,000 students annually. The project supports our educational community by helping to develop equal access to art education programs. This creates cultural awareness, engages multiple intelligences and promotes the value of arts as basic education.
In a constant effort to meet the needs of our community, current programming outside the schools includes:
- Connections Program, Outdoor Education with Blaine and Bellingham School Districts
- Dementia Support NW Zoom Art Sessions
- Veterans Program (pending)
- Pre-recorded art sessions and lesson plans on our website to support at-home learning
Additionally, AAEP hosts the Children’s Art Walk in May each year. This event provides children with a chance to display and share their wonderful works of art.
What We Do
Advocating for art education is an essential part of the AAEP program. We recognize that art is an extremely valuable part of children’s learning.
The 2012 Arts Impact Report on Sustaining Arts-Infused Education found that “the conceptual intersections of dance, theater, and visual arts with other subjects:
- Give students more opportunities to show their knowledge
- Provide new ways to communicate ideas
- Apply learning in multiple contexts
- Help students think critically
- Engage students in collaboration
- Nurture creativity
For more information see www.arts-impact.org Other important advocates for art and children education include Americans for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts, WA State Arts Alliance, and WA State Arts Commission.