Developing a Community Partnership Program

Initial Inquiry
The Institute frequently receives expressions of interest regarding the possibility of conducting a Community Partnership Program from an IEA National Affiliate, School District Superintendent’s Office, State Department of Education, city or state government office, or a parent or community group.

As the Institute works on a community and statewide level, it is not able to respond effectively to individual educator or school requests. The Institute suggests that individuals who are interested in having a Community Partnership Program begin to talk and meet with other like-minded individuals and organizations and establish an organizing group in the community. This provides a solid base of initial interest and support for investigative conversations with the Institute.

Research and Feasibility Study
The next step after an inquiry of interest from a representative community voice is for the Institute to conduct an in-depth and broad-ranging study of the community and surrounding area. This study, conducted over several months, provides essential information to the Institute for designing a Community Partnership Program that is reflective of and responsive to the particular community.

Institute staff meet and talk with key individuals to determine the needs, interests and concerns in the following areas: schools; arts, cultural, and research organizations; city, county and state government; local business and corporate community; youth organizations; parent organizations; religious organizations, and any other community organizations whose concerns cross-over with arts and education issues.

In addition, the Institute researches information on demographics; relevant community strategic plans, surveys, and reports; political climate; and identifying the leading voices in the community. This process also helps identify potential partnering organizations and co-hosts, members of the local advisory committee, local coordinators.

Criteria for Selecting a Locale
The following is a list of the key criteria necessary for a community to be prepared to host a Community Partnership program:

• Strong school interest and support, beginning at the top administrative levels;
• Opportunity for a meeting of substance with school principals;
• Strong interest and support from key arts, cultural and research organizations;
• Interest and support from key business leaders;
• Interest and support from key political leaders and community decision-makers;
• Identification of an appropriate partnering/hosting organization or organizations and;
• Identification of appropriate individuals to serve as local coordinators during the planning and implementation of the program.

Selecting Partnering Organizations and Co-Hosts
During the process of the feasibility study, the Institute begins to identify and establish working relationships with key organizations that have potential as hosting and partnering organizations for the Community Partnership program during its planning and implementation.

Organizing a Local Advisory Committee
During the process of the feasibility study, the Institute also begins to identify key individuals who would be interested and appropriate to serve on the local advisory committee. This committee works with the Institute staff, the local coordinators, and the hosting organization(s) to develop the program and to respond to plans for follow up after the completion of the program.

Identifying Local Coordinators
During the process of the feasibility study, the Institute also begins to identify individuals who would be interested and appropriate to work as local coordinators and representatives of the Institute in the hosting community. These coordinators are hired by and report to the Institute staff and serve as on-site planners, conveners, and facilitators of the Institute Community Partnership Program.

Information about Existing Community Partnership Programs

Frequently Asked Questions about the Institute's National Overture Projects (PDF)

National Overture in Ohio, 2005

National Overture in New Mexico, 2004
    
National Overture in Michigan, 2003

K-8 Arts Education Forum, Washington, DC 2002