The National Coalition of Core Arts Standards has completed the selection of writing teams and chairs for the next generation of arts standards project. NCCAS is a coalition of eight national organizations committed to developing new voluntary national arts education standards that will build on the foundations created by the 1994 National Arts Standards to help guide curriculum designers, teacher training programs, funders, and federal and state policy makers in their arts education decision-making.

Executive Director Julie Woffington gave the EdTA Board of Trustees a first look at a new proposed strategic plan to guide the work of the organization for the next five years during a December 17 board conference call.

For a complete report on the board meeting, log in to the Membership Matters page. 

Update: The submission deadline has been extended to February 27.

The Educational Theatre Association’s fourth annual student essay competition is now accepting entries. The winner of the Thespian Democracyworks Essay Competition will receive $1,500 toward expenses to attend Arts Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C., April 16-17, 2012, plus $250 cash.

The Educational Theatre Association is launching a fundraising campaign this week with the goal of helping a deserving Thespian troupe participate in the 2012 Thespian Festival.

“As anyone who has been to the Thespian Festival knows, it is a fabulous, even life-changing event,” said EdTA Executive Director Julie Woffington. “But only a fraction of our troupes are able to attend. For some of our members, it’s a cost issue, particularly with the high cost of travel. We want to do what we can to remove that obstacle to participation in the Festival.”