On May 24, 2024, Education for the Arts was recognized with the Arts Schools Network (ASN) 2024 Arts Innovation Award. Designed to recognize schools committed to taking innovative artistic risks, this award is presented to a school that has “broken the mold” in using the arts as a vehicle for teaching academics and/or making a positive difference in the lives of students and/or the community. Arts Schools Network (ASN) is the nation’s largest professional membership organization of specialized arts schools. ASN will honor the school at the Awards Ceremony during the ASN 2024 Annual Conference, in Washington, DC, October 23-25, 2024.
Education for the Arts (EFA) is a program arm of Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency. EFA’s roots are based on a unanimous desire of the nine public school districts in Kalamazoo County to make arts education a learning and teaching priority. EFA’s mandate is to enhance arts education opportunities and programs for every Kalamazoo County school through developing, maintaining and strengthening partnerships between school districts, schools, teachers and the rich array of professional arts institutions
in Southwest Michigan. Innovation is demonstrated by the structure and programing of EFA including the Excellence in the Arts High School program, EFA Presents!, PACE, Aesthetic Education, Alternative Arts Initiative, and their scholarships and grant opportunities.
Dr. R. Scott Allen, Managing Director for ASN said, “Our organization offers guidance, inspiration, and incentives to arts schools and their leaders who strive for excellence on campuses across the country. When they demonstrate outstanding efforts toward this goal, we recognize and reward their achievements with awards such as the Innovation Award.”
Dedicated to excellence and leadership in arts education, Arts Schools Network, a non-profit association founded in 1981, provides arts school leaders, innovative partners and members of arts education institutions with quality resources, support and networking opportunities.