For Release: 2008-04-18 14:51:00
The Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovation at Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard University’s school of government, recently announced the top 50 programs of the 2008 Innovations in American Government Awards competition, and KET’s Arts Toolkits was included among the elite group. Selected from a pool of nearly 1,000 applicants, the programs represent the best in government innovation from local, county, city, tribal, state and federal levels, and compete for a $100,000 award.Established in 1985 at Harvard Kennedy School by the Ford Foundation, the Innovations in American Government Awards Program is designed to improve government practice by honoring effective government initiatives and encouraging the dissemination of such best practices across the country.
“I am delighted that the Arts Toolkit project has been selected as one of the most innovative government programs in the country,” said Malcolm Wall, KET executive director. “The Toolkits have become essential for teachers and students around the Commonwealth, and we are proud the concept is receiving national recognition.”
KET leads an extensive statewide partnership, including the Kentucky Department of Education, The Kentucky Center and the Kentucky Arts Council, to create the Toolkits. These multimedia teaching resources in Drama, Dance, Visual Arts and Music include DVDs with performances and artist interviews, lesson plans, posters and other informational materials aligned to state standards. More than 280 Kentucky arts organizations and artists, along with some 470 classroom teachers, have been involved in creating the resources.
“In the past there was very limited support for the novice arts and humanities teacher, and the Arts Toolkit enables new teachers to learn quickly how to teach like a veteran,” said Philip Shepherd, Kentucky Department of Education arts and humanities consultant.
Finalists of the 2008 Innovations in American Government Awards competition will be announced in June and winners will be announced in September.
More information about Arts Toolkits is available at www.ket.org/artstoolkit. KET programming and education services, as well as how to support KET, can be found at www.ket.org.
Contact: Amanda Stroud
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