Program Overview Search for Artists Partner Resources Artist Resources
Initiated in 1995, the Pennsylvania Arts in Education (AIE) Partnership program has demonstrated an unprecedented ability to expand the already-strong funding record of the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts (PCA) for the support of the arts in education in the Commonwealth. The AIE Partnership, now available in 47 counties, decentralizes the PCA’s efforts through a network of AIE Partners comprised of local and regional organizations. It fosters educational improvement and participation in the creative process in schools and community settings through artist residencies, projects and partnerships between schools and other educational institutions, artists and arts organizations.

AIE Partners recruit, select, train, place and evaluate professional-quality artists for residencies in educational environments. In addition, AIE Partners specialize in interest areas for in-depth exploration. These areas include distance learning, youth-at-risk, early childhood education, and in-service and pre-service teacher training. Partners have provided professional development opportunities for more than 3,000 artists, teachers, administrators, pre-service teachers and community leaders. They maintain ongoing relationships with more than 250 educational agencies, community arts organizations, professional organizations and other interested parties.

The PCA continues to undertake research and to fund single-focus pilot projects in additional regions of the Commonwealth to expand the scope of the initiative and to attain the ultimate goal of regional AIE Partners reaching all 67 counties.

AIE Partner Requirements
To be selected as an AIE Partner, an organization must: