Copyright Baton Rouge Advocate
Ensuring Acadiana students can experience the arts — through theatre, music, dance, visual art, creative writing and spoken word — is at the core of the Arts in Education program organized by the Acadiana Center for the Arts. Since its inception in 1979, the program has grown significantly, working in five parishes, reaching more than 58,000 students and working with 60 teaching artists. The program, and its partnership with public Louisiana schools, will be highlighted in actress Meg Ryan's "Empowered" TV series. "It was a great opportunity to showcase our Arts in Education program and the impact it has on students," said Elijah List, the marketing and communications coordinator for the Acadiana Center for the Arts. As part of the program, teachers of all subjects can request artists to help supplement their lessons. "A lot of school districts can't invest heavily in their own arts programs," he added. "(Arts in Education) allows us to come in and do the heavy lifting." The partnership brings "tremendous value" to students, Lafayette Parish Superintendent Francis Touchet Jr. said in a statement. It also promotes the district's core values of opporunity, growth and culture. "Arts education strengthens the academic experience, supports a positive school culture, and gives students meaningful ways to express themselves," he siad. "Families appreciate that their children are exposed to opportunities beyond the core subjects, and our students genuinely enjoy the programming. It encourages them to come to school ready to learn, which aligns with our district-wide focus on improving attendance." The "Empowered with Meg Ryan" TV series, which launched in 2023, highlights programs and partnerships that make an impact on the community. Episodes are filmed in a documentary style and air on public television stations nationwide. A film crew interviewed teachers, artists and the Acadiana Center for the Arts staff this week. It also filmed the program in action at Green T. Lindon Elementary. In one class, students learned how to dance Zydeco. An English class practiced spoken word poetry. Another English class, which is reading "Don Quixote," used their own imaginations to sculpt ocean creatures. The spotlight is special for the ACA and will hopefully inspire other communities to emulate the Arts in Education program.
