Hello from Ann Wettrich

Name	Ann Wettrich
Date of conversation	Monday, April 16, 2012
Conversation Participants	MOCHA education staff: Roxanne Padgett and Brandy Gardner ; MOCHA Teaching Artists: Nicole Chan, Mittie Cutera,Angela Gomez-hoffman, Lauire Croft, Mona Chitkara, Jordana Autrey, Danielle Freeburn, Kara Fourtune, Veronica Graham, Michelle Villoria, Jill McLennan and Amy Ortiz and Leticia Padgett; Conversation facilitated by Ann Wettrich, MOCHA interim executive director.
Meeting Topics?	• Resources for Transforming Public Education • Addressing Issues of Violence
Where are we now? Share key takeaways
We began by interrogating the question: How can we collectively transform public education through the arts to create a better future for everyone? and our discussion generated new issues and questions: Art alone cannot transform public education. Government’s responsibility for public education is waning as evidenced in on-going budget slashing. How can this be prevented? If we create a big vision, can it attract more funding? Violence in Oakland and its impact on teaching and learning emerged as a fundamental concern. Teaching artists discussed lock downs they’d experienced this year at school sites. Many mentioned their desire to be better informed and expressed the need for professional development and support in addressing the issues.
Where should we go, and why? Share key takeaways	The healing role of art and the creative process was discussed. An idea for MOCHA to develop an anti-violence curriculum was suggested. Thinking together about the role and responsibility of art and artists to society, helped to surface the potential of art education as a creative liberating force with the capacity to resonate across individual, school and community contexts.
How Should we get there? Share key takeaways
We began to identify a few potential resources to address issues of violence • MOCHA teaching artists experienced in this area • Art education organizations with expertise in anti-violence curricula Art Esteem and Destiny; • Beyond the arts—Wright Institute, mindfulness/conflict resolutions approaches, family counseling agencies. • Tony Smith/OUSD • Rainbow Youth Center We discussed a few possible strategies: • Partnerships to strengthen communication and evolve effective educational policies and practices • Professional development at MOCHA for teaching artists • Incorporating non-arts issues (like violence) into discussions with students • Youth advisory group at MOCHA • Paid youth internships at MOCHA for 8th grade through high school students
Next Steps?	Posting our conversation here for others to weigh in and share their thoughts.

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