FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is arts integration?

The Kennedy Center’s Definition for Arts Integration: “Arts Integration is an approach to teaching in which students construct and demonstrate understanding through an art form. Students engage in a creative process which connects an art form and another subject area and meets evolving objectives in both.”

Education Closet has great resources for arts integration and STEAM. Find an infographic on arts integration here.

2. How is the AIE program funded?

School districts purchase the AIE service for a fee through their BOCES. Services shared by two or more districts are eligible for state aid that reimburses school districts for a portion of the costs of services provided by BOCES to the district. Districts pay for those services in a given school year and are reimbursed the following year. The amount of the reimbursement is based on the district’s state aid ratio. School districts may also use local monies received from businesses, parent organizations, foundations, and private individuals to fund Arts in Education programming.

3. Can tickets be purchased through AIE?

School districts may also use the AIE COSER to pay for admission to arts-related field trips to performing arts events, museums, cultural centers, and music festivals. Ticket purchases require a different type of transaction/contract from Artist Programs; therefore, we keep funds in separate accounts.

4. Can staff development be provided through Arts in Education?

Staff development related to arts activities and curriculum may be provided through BOCES AIE. AIE staff can come to your school, at no additional charge, to provide planning and curriculum integration workshops/consultation. Many AIE artists will provide workshops on specific art topics as well. Also, teacher workshops held at museums and other institutions can be funded through AIE. For in-school events, choose Artist on the digital request form; for events elsewhere choose Ticket on the digital request form.

5. Can NYSSMA/Music Festivals be purchased through AIE?

Schools may purchase NYSSMA participation and Music Festivals (local, regional, state) through BOCES AIE. Choose Ticket on the digital request form.

6. How did the Arts in Education Program begin?

This program began in 1986 through a grant received from the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA), enabling the Upper Catskill Community Council of the Arts (UCCCA) to work with the Catskill Regional Teacher Center and three area school districts (Sidney, Stamford and Unatego) to create a collaborative program dedicated to educating students using the arts. Our current Arts in Education program, developed from the pilot program, is coordinated by The Delaware-Chenango-Madison-Otsego BOCES, 6678 County Road 32, Norwich, NY 13815-3554, and now serves 35 school districts within the Delaware-Chenango-Madison-Otsego BOCES and Otsego Northern Catskills BOCES areas.

7. What is the advantage of Arts Education?

The Arts Education Partnership answers Why the arts?

Learning in and through the arts develops essential skills and abilities:

• • Creativity, imagination and innovation

  • Problem solving and critical thinking

  • Communication and collaboration

  • Academic achievement

  • School, social and civic engagement

The Revised NYS Learning Standards for the Arts call for meaningful experiences that foster creativity, critical thinking, and an “integrated understanding of self and community.”

The Arts In Education COSER allows schools to partner with a variety of resources (arts organizations, museums & cultural centers, colleges & universities, teaching artists), within local communities and beyond, to enrich and support student learning and provide arts experiences that may not have otherwise been available.