Art Academy of Cincinnati Community Education Department (AAC CE) would like to thank the following foundations for their contribution to the SmartArt program: Pfau Foundation, Luther Charitable Foundation, Chemed Foundation and the Dater Foundation.
The AAC CE SmartArt program serves as a powerful, creative tool to reinforce Common Core standards. Focused on higher-order thinking and problem solving skills, AAC SmartArt Program complements current classroom instruction by integrating an artistic approach to support the academic curricula.
As an accredited independent college of fine art and design, the Art Academy of Cincinnati is uniquely positioned to deliver a program that integrates art and academics. Supported by Procter & Gamble, the Art Academy’s Community Education Department recently celebrated 22 years of CPS student enrichment through the SmartArt Visual Art Outreach Program. Last year the program visited 51 CPS classrooms. The movement toward bringing SmartArt to after-school started in 2012 through the Mt. Airy Neighborhood Enhancement Program (NEP), and then Rothenberg Academy in 2013; both programs have seen much success. In 2013 the SmartArt Instructors began to implement Common Core Standards through innovative art instruction that helps students analyze, evaluate, question and assess what they are learning as they’re learning it.
It is through these grants that programs such as SmartArt can continue. Typically not covered by a school district’s budget, these grants continue the legacy in recognizing the important role the arts play in enriching our culture and retaining and attracting employee talent. Research shows 72% of business leaders say creativity is of high importance when hiring, AAC CE—established in 1869, with its campus in historic Over-the-Rhine, is just the visual art expert to deliver this high-quality, creative program.
