MMEA Arts Coalition Letter to Gov. Baker, et. al.

Following is the text of a letter sent to Governor Baker and others, with attached "Arts Education in the Time of a Pandemic" re-opening guidelines for Massachusetts PreK-12 Arts Programs:

Dear Governor Baker, Commissioner Riley, and Arts Education Advisory Council Members,

As leaders of the Massachusetts Arts Coalition, and the Massachusetts Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, we would like to thank you for your continued support of Arts Education in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Additionally, we greatly appreciate the opportunity of participating and being represented by Dr. Heather Cote on the MA-DESE Academics, Teaching and Learning Subcommittee working group. Please find attached a letter which we, the leaders of this coalition believe serves as guidance for PreK-12 schools, administrators, and arts educators as they plan for the 2020-2021 school year, to ensure that we may continue to provide meaningful arts instruction for all students in Massachusetts.

We all understand and appreciate your work and response to the COVID-19 emergency, and applaud you for keeping us safe, healthy, and focused on a brighter future. And, we want to stress the importance of continued support for arts education for all in each community of our great Commonwealth.

Sincerely,
Cecil Adderley, President MMEA, Chair-Music Education Department, Berklee College of Music
Heather Cote, President-Elect MMEA, K-12 Director of Performing Arts, Westwood Public Schools
Alice Gentili, Advocacy Liaison MAEA, K-12 Visual Arts Department Chair, Mendon-Upton Regional Schools
David Gresko, President MICCA, Director of Instrumental Music, Concord-Carlisle High School Patricia Kammerer, President-Elect BAKE; Assistant Professor of Music Education, Rhode Island College
Michael LaCava, Executive Director MMEA, K-12 Director of Performing Arts, Wellesley Public Schools
Melissa Mastrolia, President MAEA, K-6 Visual Arts Educator, Acton-Boxborough Regional Schools
Adam N. McLean, President BAKE, Somerville Public Schools
Maria Melchionda, Executive Director, Massachusetts Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance
Coni Moore, Past President MAEA, Winthrop Public Schools
Nancy Moses, Past President, MADEO, Professor Emerita of Dance, Bridgewater State University
Karin Puffer, President, NE/AOSA, K-6 General Music Specialist, Westborough Public Schools Jonathan Rappaport, Executive Director Emeritus, Arts|Learning, Founder of the Kodaly Music Institute
Emily Ruddock, Executive Director, MASSCreative
Donna Wresinski, Chairperson of the Board METG, K-12 Director of Fine and Performing Arts, Framingham Public Schools
Coalition Contributors

Attachment: MA Arts Guidelines, June 30, 2020