The Creative Advantage unveiled A Creative Decade, their newly published 10-year Report, to the arts and education community at the 10th annual TCA Summer Institute on August 22, 2024. The report documents how The Creative Advantage supports equitable high-quality arts education to 50,000+ Seattle Public School students and highlights the successes and opportunities for further transformation.
“The Creative Advantage has persevered for more than a decade, partnered with 4 mayors and 4 superintendents, and done incredible work. The arts change our brains, body and behavior. And they have profound impact on making us happier, healthier, and smarter.”
Gülgün Kayim, Director of Seattle Office of Arts & Culture
Charles Borom and Dr. Sam Grant from Rainbow Research presented on what we learned in our June stakeholder meetings and focus groups. They also began to outline a strategic plan for The Creative Advantage to build on for the next 10 years. Suggestions included:
- Establishing a Youth Advisory Council to ensure student voices are respected and impactful.
- Boosting engagement of African American male students through targeted strategies.
- Increasing family and community engagement, especially in economically disadvantaged communities.
- Continue building on TCA and Seattle Public School efforts to make art education core.
- Developing a career pathways strategy that aligns with Creative Placemaking and benefits all students.
- Creating a sustainability strategy with diverse funding sources to secure TCA’s future.