CPS Arts Education Plan
Clients: Chicago Public Schools
Partners: University of Chicago, Zeno Group
Challenge: Chicago Public Schools’ (CPS) groundbreaking citywide Arts Plan, launched in 2012, yielded tangible results, including the accountability structures to measure data on programming gaps, the Creative Schools Certification program, robust arts partnerships, and recommendations around instructional minutes. In a post-COVID world, student needs have changed dramatically, putting CPS at a critical point in time to build upon the success of the previous plan while identifying opportunities to improve and expand the arts education experience and address current challenges. The CPS Department of Arts Education asked Civic Consulting Alliance to support building a comprehensive Arts Education Plan informed by students and the broader ecosystem of arts partnership organizations.
Action: Over the course of eight months, from May 2024 through March 2025, the Civic Consulting Alliance team will help determine an approach, conduct a current state and best practice analysis, and engage critical stakeholders to co-create the plan. The work will culminate in a final report and implementation milestones that will provide students with a robust arts education. Pro bono partner Zeno Group is supporting the messaging and outreach strategy to ensure that the plan is co-created with students, parents and guardians, CPS teachers and administrators, and arts ecosystem partners.
Result: Arts education plays a key role in a student’s success and overall well-being. It increases academic achievement and graduation rates, opens doors to new career opportunities, and fosters important skills like critical thinking and emotional resilience, preparing students to succeed and thrive in the world beyond CPS. This project will equip CPS’ Department of Arts Education with a visionary plan to chart the path forward for continued advancements in access, equity, and quality of arts education for all students.
