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Archived Jan. 2021
Spotlight - MAAE Board - Dr. Robert Gifford
Spotlight - MAAE Board - Dr. Robert Gifford
Robert M. Gifford, DMA was a member of the statewide Arts Education Task Force that in 1990 recommended formation of the Missouri Alliance for Arts Education, and he has served on the Board of Directors of the Alliance since that time. He was Chair of MAAE from 2003-2011 and currently serves as Chair of the MAAE Arts Integration Committee. Dr. Gifford is a member of the Missouri Music Educators Association Hall of Fame and the 2010 recipient of the Missouri Arts Council Arts Award in Arts Education.
In a recent interview between Dr. Gifford and Executive Director, Phyllis Pasley we learned answers to the following:
E.D. "What are some favored ways of spending spare time?"
Gifford: Reading, walking and listening to Wagner operas.
E.D."What achievement in your life has given you the greatest satisfaction?"
Gifford: Helping young musicians in Latin America and Eastern Europe realize their musical dreams.
Dr. Gifford conducting Cartago National Band in Costa Rica
E.D."What achievement in your career has given you the greatest satisfaction?"
Gifford: To have been a part of developing MAAE into one of the most effective arts education collaboratives in the nation!
E.D."What brought you into MAAE?"
Gifford: As President of MMEA (1988-90), I served on MAC's Arts Education Task Force (1990) which founded the Alliance, and I have been actively involved ever since.
E.D."In your tenure with MAAE, tell us what educational issue that MAAE has addressed that you believe was most beneficial to Missouri's arts ed community?"
Gifford: Saving the high school Fine Arts graduation requirement in Missouri and the building of a long-term working relationship with our state's arts educators, DESE and the State board of Education.
E.D."Are there any particular initiatives of MAAE that are of significant personal interest to you at this time?" If so - tell me which issue and why it is important to you.
Gifford: Making the arts an important part of every child's education; every day (not just so many minutes per week), and in every school in our state!
E.D."What do you see as pivotal issues to be addressed moving forward?"
Gifford: "Buy in" to the concept of arts education (including dance, art, music, theatre, media arts, and arts integration) for all students by the majority of arts educators in our state. We must leave our "silos" and begin to serve/educate 100% of the students in our schools!
1) Photo of Costa Rican Special Needs (Down Syndrome) Latin Percussion Ensemble. They are very proud of the new t-shirts that Ann and I brought to them!
2) Over the past few years Ann and I have purchased 10 new instruments for this community music school. This is a photo of some of the kids and staff with several new instruments.
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