CMSD Arts Education Strategic Plan Steering Committee kicks off VIsioning Process

I was pleased to be invited to participate on the steering committee for developing the Cleveland Municipal School District Arts Education Strategic Plan, which is a fairly large workgroup of many CMSD arts educators and administrators and other community representatives, that is working with consultant Ms. Dawn Ellis, the facilitating consultant and writer of our strategic plan. We had our first orientation today at 3 PM, at Trinity Commons, and it was a well facilitiated and enlightening activity. The format was very interactive, with Dawn surfacing key issues, themes and opportunities and driving participants through structured brainstorming. 

Here is the consultant's introduction, from the inivitation: "The time has arrived for a visionary strategic plan for arts education for the Cleveland Municipal School District (CMSD).  At the invitation of The Department of Arts Education of the Cleveland Municipal School District, we of Dawn M. Ellis & Associates are beginning to conduct a brief research-based, youth-centered strategic planning process between now and the end of June 2007.  What emerges from our process in this short time can then inform the developing education plan for the whole district.  Context and timeliness lead to the potential for implementation."

I expect good things to come of this initiative, and I'll keep the community informed and engaged here on realneo. Pn pages listed and linked below are some insight and questions to think about or comment on, as part of the visioning process.