About

Following the completion of the Arts Education & Social Emotional Learning Framework in 2020, and building upon nearly two decades of collective impact work, Arts Ed NJ launched this national initiative in 2021, which will positively impact the entire educational landscape.

 

The Center for Arts Education and Social Emotional Learning (ArtsEdSEL) builds capacity to facilitate arts education enriched by SEL, and fosters a new vision for SEL within the context of artistic works. This is accomplished by elevating the lived experience, voices, and cultural assets of PreK-16 students through the development of exemplary arts education practices and approaches, designed to activate the SEL competencies of self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making through the artistic processes of create, perform, respond, and connect. ArtsEdSEL supports practices related to development of student artists’ IDENTITY, BELONGING, and AGENCY through the arts.

 

By shaping curriculum, supporting teacher practice, and furthering the arts education and social emotional learning research agenda, ArtsEdSEL builds capacity for high-quality arts education, grounded in culturally- responsive, relevant, and sustaining practices that will embrace the needs of diverse student populations.

MISSION

The Center for Arts Education and Social Emotional Learning (ArtsEdSEL) is dedicated to illuminating the intersection between arts education and social emotional learning to facilitate the embedded, intentional, and sustained application of SEL-informed arts education.

COMMITMENT TO EQUITY

As a program of Arts Ed NJ, the Center for Arts Education and Social Emotional Learning stands firm in its commitment to equity. Arts Ed NJ denounces racism, injustice, discrimination, and bigotry. We stand in solidarity with our black friends, colleagues, artists, partners, teachers and communities.

Arts Ed NJ was built on a foundation of collaboration and inclusion, to present a unified voice that serves to amplify the value and importance of arts education. We believe that arts education should be universally accessible to ALL students. We know that arts education nurtures an understanding of the arts, culture and heritage, and promotes respect for cultural diversity.

We will continue to work together with our creative community to elevate arts education, to guide culturally- responsive curricula and social emotional learning that can eradicate racism in our schools. We believe this can be accomplished with open communication among a broad group of diverse partners, who demonstrate a commitment to collective impact through our shared work

We are here to listen and to support you. Together, we can highlight the healing powers of creativity, inclusion, and collaboration for a more equitable New Jersey.

OUR TEAM

WENDY LISCOW

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

SCOTT N. EDGAR, Ph.D.

CO-DIRECTOR OF PRACTICE, LEARNING, AND RESEARCH

YOREL LASHLEY, Ph.D.

CO-DIRECTOR OF PRACTICE, LEARNING, AND RESEARCH

KIRA RIZZUTO

DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS AND PARTNERSHIPS

SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD

DAVID DIK

NATIONAL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Young Audiences Arts for Learning

DR. MAURICE ELIAS

DIRECTOR
Social-Emotional and Character Development Lab, Rutgers University

CHIHO FEINDLER

CHIEF PROGRAM OFFICER
Save The Music Foundation

ANNE FENNELL

K-12 MUSIC PROGRAM MANAGER
San Diego Unified School District



DR. PAMELA RANDALL

SENIOR STAFF ADVISOR, COLLABORATING DISTRICTS INITIATIVE
CASEL

DR. PENELOPE LATTIMER

TRUSTEE
Arts Ed NJ


TIFFANY KERNS

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
CMA Foundation


ALYSIA LEE

COORDINATOR OF FINE ARTS
Maryland State Department of Education

MARY LUEHRSEN

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
NAMM Foundation


DR. MARISSA NESBIT

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF DANCE; DANCE EDUCATION COORDINATOR
The University of North Carolina
at Charlotte

MARIO ROSSERO

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
National Art Education Association


DR. DALE SCHMID

PAST PRESIDENT
National Dance Education Organization

CORY WILKERSON

EDUCATION DIRECTOR
Educational Theatre Association


FRANKLIN WILLIS

ELEMENTARY MUSIC INSTRUCTIONAL COACH
Metro Nashville Public Schools

ALISON SCOTT-WILLIAMS

PRESIDENT
Studio in a School NYC

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