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Any Given Child-Tulsa

Arts Education for Every Student

Any Given Child-Tulsa provides equity and access in arts education for every K-8 student who attends Tulsa Public Schools. This is accomplished through 14 partners working collaboratively to fund and implement arts education programming, both in the classroom and the community.

2020-2021 Update

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and safe social distancing protocols, Any Given Child-Tulsa (AGC-T) will be presented virtually for the 2020-2021 school year. Teachers and students will have access to arts content online, created by the AGC-T arts partners. Although the usual field trips provided through AGC-T are irreplaceable, the partners are committed to continuing to provide equity and access to arts education for all TPS K-8 students in a virtual format.

A National Initiative

The goal of the Kennedy Center’s Any Given Child program is to assist communities in developing and implementing a plan for expanded arts education in their schools, ensuring access and equity for all students in grades K-8. Tulsa is one of only 27 cities across the nation selected to participate in this initiative.

The Need

Equity and access to strong arts education remains an issue for too many students. For many young people, access to arts education during their school years is sporadic and uneven. They may have access during some years and none during others. A strong district arts education plan is achieved when all students, in Kindergarten through grade 8, have ongoing and equal access to learning in and through the arts. Ninety-nine percent of surveyed Tulsa Public Schools teachers report they believe the arts are necessary in a balanced curriculum.

Benefits

Decades of research has show that arts education:

Develops the creativity and critical thinking skills needed for innovation
Engages students through multiple modes of learning
Develops confidence, communication, collaboration and other leadership skills
Contributes to a positive school and community environment and
Has a positive impact on academic achievement

A Community Owned Initiative

Any Given Child-Tulsa is a community-based, collective impact initiative, so it does not belong to any single organization. Ahha serves as the Lead Partner Organization, in collaboration with Tulsa Public Schools and 12 other Tulsa arts organizations. Ahha and a group of stakeholders called the Community Arts Team Implementation Committee work together to provide oversight and serve as the decision-making body.