SPARK! Arts Ignite Learning is a collective-impact initiative of the Kennedy Center. SPARK! Arts works as a collaboration of local artists, arts organizations, business and community leaders, the City of Missoula, Missoula County Public Schools (MCPS), parents, philanthropists, and the University of Montana to ensure equity and access to a comprehensive arts education ecosystem for all K-8 MCPS students.
Mission
Our mission is to ensure equity and access to the arts for all Missoula County Public Schools (MCPS) K-8 students.
Vision
The Arts have the power to SPARK! imagination, ignite innovation through creativity, and excite and transform learning. SPARK! Arts envisions that every student receives a quality, comprehensive arts education that includes all art forms delivered in a variety of ways; and that the arts are an essential part of every school day.
Impact
Spark! employs over 30 local artists and arts organizations
Adds over 1200 additional hours of arts integrated learning
Provides over 95 arts integrated residencies each year
Trains over 100 classroom teachers in arts integration each year
Reaches all 5000+ K-8 MCPS students
History
In 2013, Missoula was selected as one of fourteen cities in the nation to participate in the Kennedy Center's Any Given Child Initiative. Alongside Kennedy Center consultants, a Community Arts Team of 30 local leaders collected data, evaluated existing programming, and crafted a strategic plan to achieve equitable and integrated arts education.
In 2014, the Missoula Community Arts Team pledged to continue to champion arts education and formed SPARK! Arts Ignite Learning to ensure equity and access to the arts for all.
