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Image Courtesy of Y Connect Project (Australia)
Following the success of the Second World Conference on Arts Education (Seoul, 2010), the UNESCO’s General Conference at its 36th session in 2011 proclaimed the fourth week of May as International Arts Education Week. International Arts Education Week aims at increasing the international community’s awareness on the importance of arts education and at reinforcing its co-operation by promoting cultural diversity, intercultural dialogue and social cohesion.
On 23 May 2012 Irina Bokova, Director General, United Nations Education, Science and Culture Organisation (UNESCO), launched the inaugural International Arts Education Week at UNESCO Headquarters, Paris. Attended by leading international arts education scholars and practitioners, this high profile celebration drew attention to the role arts education plays in a global agenda of peace and cultural understanding- The International Arts Education Week was unanimously endorsed by UNESCO’s 182 member states at its November 2011 General Conference (Item 5.13, recalling 35 C/ Resolution 40: On the promotion of arts education).
In 2020, the World Alliance for Arts Education – comprised of the International Drama Education Association, International Society for Education through Art, International Society for Music Education, and the World Dance Alliance – will work together with Creative Generation to support the global celebration.
Activities will take place during the week of 25-31 May 2020 in three ways: an online visibility campaign through social media using #ArtsEdWeek; sharing of student and educator-made artwork including a virtual reality exhibition; and professional learning seminars for arts educators.