Author: Gee, Constance Bumgarner

Publication Year:

Media Type: Periodical (article)

Summary:

Abstract:

Gee's article demonstrates that different assumptions, expectations and organizational cultures can all plague partnership efforts; the probability of such mismatches is high when partners are from arenas as different as schools, universities and arts organizations. Indeed, her case suggests not only that each of these partners approached the project with different values, but also that the development of new paradigms in both arts policy and education policy is still incomplete. The effect on arts education seems to resemble an attempt to catch and combine two moving targets.

The initial project for the newly formed Columbus Arts and Education Consortium would be to learn about the potential and limits of existing distance learning application programs in order to develop a common knowledge base from which to work collaboratively. We would also explore the needs and interests of teachers and students with regard to their use of distance learning programming. The primary objective of the consortium's first-year initiative was to create a cohesive, feasible plan for the development of distance learning applications that bridged the resources and missions of arts organizations and schools in Columbus.

CONTENTS
The challenge.
The vision.
Out of Kansas.
Off to see the wizard.
Lions and tigers and bears: Oh My!
Tell us what to do!
The event.
How dare you tell us what to do!
Meeting the wizard.
Collaborative ventures into unknown lands with strawheaded scarecrows, spiritless tinmen and cowardly lions.
Personal and institutional expectations and motivations.
The Interests and Motivations of Others.
Working together, working apart.
Rethinking the attitudes and practices of our colleagues and ourselves.
Technological intimidation.
Professional territorialism.
A lack of effort and commitment.
Limited understandings of and appreciation for research.
Confusing marketing with education.
How things might have been done differently and better.
Epilogue.
Lessons learned.
The persistence to partner.
Self-interest properly understood.

Arts & Intersections:

Categories: Arts Education