Welcome remarks from Jane R. Best, Director, Arts Education Partnership, Education Commission of the States
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Opening remarks Vop Osili, Councillor, District 11; President, City-County, Council of Marion County and Indianapolis
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Student Performance: Kids Dance Outreach
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Founded in 2012 by Director Michael J. Johnson, Kids Dance Outreach (KDO) opened its doors so Indiana school children in sneakers and street shoes could experience the power of dance. The goal then, as it is now, was to help children see that hard work, discipline and collaboration can lead to extraordinary achievements in their lives, both on and off the dance floor. The mission of KDO is to positively impact the lives of all children through joyful dance programs that inspire excellence, instill confidence, encourage teamwork and applaud persistence. Since its creation, more than 8,500 children in over 20 Indianapolis area schools have participated in KDO programs. KDO’s core programs are free for every child, regardless of ability, economic status, race or religion. While successfully accomplishing this goal over the past five years, KDO has become a highly regarded, innovative model for dance education—providing equity and access to all in the community. www.kidsdanceoutreach.org

Explore examples of collective action that support the cultural sector and expand access and equity to arts education. This panel discussion will share insights from Indiana’s leading arts voices on success and lessons learned through their efforts to change policy, engage stakeholders and chart a path forward for arts in education.

Moderator: Mary L. Luehrsen, Executive Director, National Association of Music Merchants Foundation

Panelists:
Matt Carter, Vice President, Destination Development, Visit Indy; Executive Director, Music Crossroads
Mark Goff, CEO and Owner, Paige’s Music
Eric L. Martin, President and CEO, Music for All

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What do arts in education leaders and change-makers talk about over coffee together? Hear from nine leading arts and education policy experts in this dialogue-based session that features unique perspectives on the way forward for the arts in education.

Conversationalists:

• Jeremy Anderson, President, Education Commission of the States
• Dustin K. Loehr, Director, Arts Education and Title IV-A, Arizona Department of Education
• Heather Noonan, Vice President, Advocacy, League of American Orchestras
• Heather Ikemire, Chief Program Officer, National Guild for Community Arts Education
• David A. Dik, National Executive Director, Young Audiences Arts for Learning
• Martha Barry McKenna, University Professor and Director, Creativity Commons, Lesley University
• Mario R. Rossero, Senior Vice President, Education, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
• Ayanna N. Hudson, Arts Education Director, National Endowment for the Arts
• Jane R. Best, Director, Arts Education Partnership, Education Commission of the States

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Ernest Disney-Britton, Director, Grant Services and Education Partnerships, Arts Council of Indianapolis
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Lois Vossen, Founding and Executive Producer, Independent Lens
Lois Vossen will speak about the role the arts play in the national conversation about diversity and cultural inclusion.
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Vossen is responsible for commissioning new films, programming the series and working with filmmakers. Independent Lens has received 17 Emmy Awards, Academy Award nominations and the IDA Award for Best Series. Prior, Vossen was associate managing director of the Sundance Film Festival and Sundance Labs. She served on the jury at SXSW, Toronto International Film Festival, New Orleans Film Festival and the Television Academy Board of Governors.