Arts Learning

Minneapolis Public Schools Special Education students with disabilities that participated in Upstream Arts residency programs had increased access to the arts and arts integrated programming within the school setting. Our evaluation found that the vast majority of these students had limited or no access to arts opportunities within the school setting prior to the Upstream Arts program. Our evaluation also found that, according to Special Education teachers and staff, the residency programs were accessible to and inclusive of students regardless of their disability, and that students actively participated in visual arts, music, dance, poetry and theatre activities. We evaluate our programs through a pre/post program evaluation of each student, post program teacher evaluations and pre/post meetings with classroom teachers and staff. 2: In 2012-2013, Upstream Arts residencies are serving over 300 pre-K-12 students with cognitive, developmental, emotional, behavioral, and physical disabilities, as well as those that are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and those with visual impairments. Upstream Arts' programs brought the arts to these students of all abilities who often have less exposure to the arts and arts learning opportunities than their peers without disabilities. As one teacher told us, “Not all my students get the chance to be in general education art, and our curriculum does not always allow space for the arts – With Upstream Arts, I found a very creatively based and empowering way for students to express themselves - even non verbally.”