Who We Are
How Are You Creative? began as a discussion of collective approaches to teaching and learning in and through arts and cultures in Alaska. For the past two years, groups of arts and cultural advocates, educators, and community leaders from across Alaska have been sharing and learning artistic, cultural, and creative experiences with one another.
In 2016, the Alaska State Council on the Arts convened a standing Arts Education Advisory Committee (AEAC). This committee focuses on the following:
- developing an outlet to share the value of, and potential for, how creative experiences bringing people together;
- discovering ways that teaching and learning in and through the arts and cultures in Alaska support individual, community, and statewide efforts to grow healthy, innovative, and resilient communities.
The AEAC has continued to convene Alaskans around these focal points, and currently provides leadership and guidance for the How Are You Creative? movement.
In early 2018, the AEAC work culminated in a final theory of change statement reflecting the desire for the How Are You Creative? movement to weave networks, align policies, and increase involvement in Alaska arts and cultures. The AEAC developed a framework of initial goals serving as long-term markers of success for the HAYC? movement. This website serves as a key strategy to achieve these collective goals. It will provide a space to share creative experiences, resources, and opportunities for Alaskans to teach and/or learn in and through the arts and cultures.
Committee Members
| Name | Community | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| Alice Bioff | Nome | Kawerak, Inc., ASCA |
| Annie Calkins | Juneau | ASCA, Alaska Arts Education Consortium, Any Given Child Juneau |
| Robin Child | Fairbanks | University of Alaska Fairbanks |
| Laura Forbes | Anchorage | Alaska State Council on the Arts |
| Lena Jacobs | Anchorage | Benozaadleyo Consulting, LLC., ASCA |
| JoAnne Knight | Kodiak | Kodiak Island Borough School District |
| Jess Peña | Fairbanks | Fairbanks Arts Association |
| Dr. Mary Wegner | Juneau | University of Alaska Southeast |
| Dr. Hilary Seitz | Anchorage | University of Alaska, Anchorage – School of Education |
Past committee members: Mandy Mallott, Saunders McNeill
Goals
Currently, the How Are You Creative? movement is working toward a series of long term goals:
Individual
Through participation in arts and cultural experiences, Alaskans will feel more connected, respected, seen, and heard. This results in a greater sense of well-being and community.
People actively seek out arts learning opportunities, and feel comfortable participating regardless of skill or experience.
Community
Creativity is a sought after community asset. Artists are valued and serve unique advisory and leadership roles in the inclusion of arts and cultures in community development.
Education standards and practices that fully integrate arts and culturally relevant materials are implemented at the local level and reflect place. Teachers and students have support and growing capacity to teach and learn in and through the arts and cultures in their classrooms.
State
Alaska’s governing entities recognize, value, actively research, and invest in the ongoing development of Alaska’s complex creative industries.
Alaska’s education sector actively integrates community-based experiential teaching and learning in and through the arts and cultures as essential to a well-rounded education for Alaskan students.
Core Values
We seek to approach these goals through the following values:
Inclusion
We recognize and honor the diversity in our state striving to increase equity, inclusion, and access for all Alaskans to learn and engage in the arts.
Collaboration
Local, regional, and state level collaboration is necessary to achieve our shared vision.
Learning
We value iterative and culturally responsive data collection, co-created with community over time, to guide decisions and priorities.
Connection
Arts and cultures are connected, fostering transformative opportunities for Alaskans.