MINNESOTA’S COMPREHENSIVE ARTS PLANNING PROGRAM (CAPP)
Minnesota’s Comprehensive Arts Planning Program (CAPP) provides assistance to selected public school districts as they design three-year, strategic plans for K-12 arts education programs. CAPP provides financial and technical assistance to support the strategic planning process through workshops, site visits, leadership training, and resource materials. Examples of arts education improvements through CAPP in school districts and communities include:
- Development of leaders in arts education
- New or revised curriculum and assessments in arts areas to meet the Minnesota Arts Standards
- Professional development opportunities for arts and non-arts teachers
- Added arts staffing
- Opportunities for students to work with professional artists
- New or updated arts facilities
- Policies adopted to support arts education
- Stronger school/community collaborations including partnership with arts and community organizations and high education institutions
During the two-year program, school districts form a CAPP committee of community stakeholders: individuals with an active and wide-ranging interest in the arts and arts education. This CAPP committee has the responsibility to create a comprehensive arts education plan acceptable to the district and community.
In year one, the CAPP teams conduct a needs assessment and engage in a strategic planning process to design a district-wide, three-year arts education plan, which is presented to and approved by the school board. In year two, CAPP sites implement the first year of their three-year plan and evaluate their progress. CAPP co-chairs from each site gather three times each year to participate in professional development to build leadership capacity and co-lead their district CAPP committees. In year three and four, the CAPP committee continues to meet and monitor progress of their strategic plan.