Group of JOI participants, standing and looking up toward the camera

Partners in the Arts update

December 9, 2024

Partners in the Arts (PIA) celebrated its 30th anniversary in June 2024. What began with 18 months of research in 1992 by the Arts Council of Richmond became the Arts in Education plan that created the PIA Consortium of 6 public school divisions, independent schools, the arts/cult sector, and community stakeholders.

Thirty years later, the PIA Consortium is now at the University of Richmond and celebrated this milestone with an event that included notable guests whose contributions have shaped PIA’s journey over the years:

  • Adrienne Hines Burrus, former Arts Council President, known as Joan Oates’ “Partner in Crime” who originally pitched the Summer Institute to then-SCS dean Jim Narduzzi.
  • John Bryan, whose leadership of the Arts Council/CultureWorks was instrumental in PIA’s
    transition to the University of Richmond in 2009.
  • Joan Oates’ children, Katie, Tony, and Chris who celebrated their mother’s profound legacy.

Special thanks to the event speakers, including Dean Jamelle Wilson, teaching artist BlackLiq, teacher Robin Cullum, and Holly Rice, founding co-chair of PIA.

2024 Joan Oates Institute Summer Course

PIA hosted the 2024 Joan Oates Institute last June 10-14 with 24 PK-12 educators, administrators, and teaching artists who collaboratively learned about integrating community and culture into their instructional practice through the arts and technology. Artists and experts included Dr. Lisa Donovan, MCLA professor; Chris Visions, artist/illustrator Marvel Studios, DC Comics, and educator; Slow Journalism with UR adjunct faculty Don Belt; and spoken word with poet Paula Gillison-Akinwole.

Next summer, June 9-13, 2025, PIA will host its 30th Joan Oates Institute featuring MacArthur Fellow (Genius Award) cartoonist and writer Lynda Barry, Dr. Wiktoria Furrer from FHNW University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland, and Dr. Lisa Donovan. Educators from all levels and content areas, teaching artists, and community experts from a variety of fields are invited to enroll for academic credit or for continuing education units.

Teaching Through Border Cantos | Sonic Border

In partnership with UR Museums, PIA hosted a workshop for educators on October 15 focused on using the Border Cantos | Sonic Border exhibition in their teaching, including visual, sculptural, and sound art. Educators explored themes of borders, immigration, and environmentalism through art and gained practical strategies for enhancing student engagement with community, culture, and storytelling.

Institute for Integrated Learning Model

Partners in the Arts is excited to continue building on the comprehensive Institute for Integrated Learning model, with in-school projects being developed across the region with community experts with partial support by an REB Foundation Award.