Arts Education

The arts are essential for child development and should be a central part of every student’s learning experience. In today’s public school classrooms, learning in and through the arts is sorely lacking, particularly for those in underserved communities and struggling schools. With a lens on both the equity imperative and the need for a well-rounded education in an era driven by standardized tests, we have dedicated professionals who are passionate about advancing the cause of arts education for all.

Our communications and advocacy work with California Alliance for Arts Education could not have come at a more exciting time. Jumping in to place earned media stories and editorials in key state, senate and assembly districts, Douglas Gould and Company contributed to a statewide effort that secured historic state funding for arts education which included $500 million one-time funding and $105 million in ongoing funding which reaches every school district in California. Working closely with staff leadership and the Board of Directors led to a detailed strategic communications plan that identifies key goals, key messages, and effective messengers, as well as sharply defined tactics and activities that offer a compelling platform for visibility. Our other services for the Alliance included a new graphic identity and suggested re-design and information architecture for the Web site, assisting with a state capitol press conference, a revamped electronic newsletter, new brochure copy and materials for advocacy such as "10 Important Things Policymakers Should Know." Our work will continue with statewide capacity-building trainings in media and advocacy communications.

The Ford Foundation's Integrating the Arts and Education Reform Initiative is a wide-reaching national initiative that has two overarching goals: to significantly improve the quality of students' education by providing integrated arts education opportunities across urban school systems, and to help build the widespread view that the arts are an essential part of a high quality education. Douglas Gould and Company plays a major role by providing: Communications assistance to nine grantees including Alameda County, CA; Baltimore, MD; Berkeley, CA; Cleveland, OH; Dallas, TX; Jackson, MS; St. Louis, MO; Minneapolis, MN; and Washington D.C. We develop strategic communications plans, provide media training for staff and board members, create internal and external materials, and messages and advocacy tactics for each site. We have also worked to familiarize grantees with issue framing and audience identification as well as to help brand their program identity.

Field-building tools and products include the national opinion research report Mobilizing Support for Integrated Arts Education, and a media analysis Media Paints Arts in Fading Light which highlighted key themes and recommendations for arts education advocacy through the media. We are currently working to link this analysis to field leaders in curriculum development, knowledge management and teacher education.

The Keep Arts In Schools Web site was created to support the work of The Ford Foundation Arts Education and Integration Initiative. Since its launch in 2005, the site's audience has tripled and its content has expanded to support a national conversation on arts education issues. Douglas Gould and Company manages this site, arming advocates with the resources they need to be more effective in their work and in their communications to keep arts education in public schools.

After a decade of working to restore arts education to children in the New York City public schools, the Center for Arts in Education turned to Douglas Gould and Company to help guide the organization as it initiated a new focus on public engagement and advocacy. Our concentrated work with staff, board members, and consultants resulted in a three-year detailed strategic communications and advocacy plan with tools to build internal capacity in preparation for advocacy. We provided extensive support on message development, identification of target audiences and guidance for the development of CAE's Web site and the creation of new Web tools. Retreats and trainings with staff prepared them to become effective advocates and strengthened their communications skills with stakeholders as well as with media.

An established neighborhood arts center with a strong "settlement" heritage engaged Douglas Gould and Company to increase visibility and influence within its changing and diverse downtown community. Message development, Web site enhancement and audience segmentation were the cornerstone of Douglas Gould and Company efforts. Expanded outreach to local ethnic communities reinforced the importance of integrating arts into public schools.