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Inequality in Artistic Training and Careers: the Arts High School Perspective (the

view from my seat)Kyle Wedberg

President and CEO at NOCCA (New Orleans Center for Creative Arts)

3/8/2013

Stand up

Sit Down

23/8/2013

Dean and Curtis

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What is the Path?• John Adams quote: “I must study politics and war, that

our sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy. Our sons ought to study mathematics and philosophy, geography, natural history and naval architecture, navigation, commerce and agriculture in order to give their children a right to study painting, poetry, music, architecture, statuary, tapestry and porcelain.”

Work with Action Goalfist fight survive

Said differently: hand partner growmind lead create

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What are the Barriers?Out of the 100 students who enter HS as a freshman:

• In Louisiana, fewer than 19 will gain a degree within six years

• Nationally fewer than 27 will gain a degree within six years

(Louisiana stats from State Superintendent of Education John White presentation and national stat National Center for Higher Education Management Statistics http://www.higheredinfo.org/dbrowser/?level=nation&mode=graph&state=0&submeasure=27)

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Barriers (cont.)Generational Wealth (2009)• The median household net worth for White Households

$113,149

• The median household net worth for Black Households $5,677

(Pew Research Social and Demographic Trends http://www.pewsocialtrends.org/2011/07/26/wealth-gaps-rise-to-record-highs-between-whites-blacks-hispanics/ )

Average cost of college (2007-2008)• In state public without grants average $70,000 for four years

• Private university without grants average $142,000 for four years

(US News http://www.usnews.com/education/articles/2008/04/10/how-much-does-college-cost)

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Why Should We Care?

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Why Should We Care?

• “Education then, beyond all other devices of human origin, is the great equalizer of the conditions of men, the balance-wheel of the social machinery.” - Horace Mann

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What Do Students Need?

Supports:• Validation• Opportunity• Resources• Follow-up

Goal• High Schools can not have graduation as the

finish line and Colleges can not have acceptances as that finish line either.

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Stand Up Sit Down Revisited

We are Dean.

Our grandparents were Curtis.

How did you and your voice get here?

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