Show-Me Arts (SMArts)
Empowering the Student Voice in Advocacy
Empowering the Student Voice in Advocacy
Registration is a two-step process.
1) Adult/Teacher/Sponsors - Complete the online registration form for yourself and the spreadsheet for all members of your group.
2) Adult/Teacher/Sponsors - Make payment via Paypal® for all members of your group
PAY ONLINE via PAYPAL. Enter the info and press "Add to Cart" below.
April 8-9, 2025 -- $35 per person
Geared for middle school, high school and collegiate students, the Show-Me Arts Summit welcomes both novice and experienced arts advocates. We will work together to help the next generation find their voice in support of the arts and arts education.
April 8-9, 2025
(:55) This video gives a bit more information about the SHOW-ME Arts Training Program and Fine Arts Education Day
PLANS ARE UNDERWAY
FOR
2025
SAVE THE DATE!SMArts '25April 8-9, 2025
IN-PERSON EVENT INCLUDES:
* Overnight hotel accommodations (adult double occupancy, student quad occupancy)
* Tuesday evening dinner and training sessions
* Wednesday breakfast and lunch.
For additional info you can access the printable
2024 Registration Form or email smarts@moaae.org
SMarts Student Advocacy 2024 Virtual Training Opportunities are available.
Pay your fees online
for the
SHOW-ME Arts Summit
via Paypal®
via Paypal®
$35.00 per student
Teacher/Sponsors: If registering more than one participant, either
1) add participant name, press add to cart, then choose "continue shopping" to return to this page to enter the other participants individually OR
2) add teacher sponsor name, press add to cart, select number of registrations you will be paying, and then email a list of all participants names to SMARTS Coordinator Sarah Matthews - smarts@moaae.org
If paying by check or purchase order -- Make payable to MAAE and mail to:
Bruce Dickerson
10800 Wornall Rd., Apt. 301
Kansas City, MO 64114
SHOW-ME ARTS SMArts SUMMIT working SCHEDULE
Tuesday, April 2, 2024
- 4:00 pm - Registration Open
- 5:30 - 1st General Session
- 6:00 - Dinner
- 7:00-7:30 -Virtual Summit Celebration
- 7:30 - 2nd General Session
- 9:15 - Planning Sessions
- 9:45 - 3rd General Session & Celebration
- 10:30: Curfew—We have a full day tomorrow!
Wednesday, April 3, 2024
- 8:00 am Breakfast
- 9:00 Report to the State Capitol
- Follow Fine Arts Day Schedule the rest of the day
- Performances - Awards - Visits with legislators - Lunch
- 2:00 Parents may pick up students between 2:00 and 3:00 p.m.
NOTE: Registration is a two step process.
1) Registration with participant information, and
2) Payment of fees. You can pay by check or online.
We Need YOU!
You make a difference! Your voice matters!
Plan to attend the SHOW-ME ARTS SUMMIT in person!
Teacher orientation "handout" (2021)
Smarts Teacher Orientation Video 2022
SHow-Me Arts (SMarts) Student Advocacy Summit
Geared for students middle school and up, this project trains the next generation of arts advocates. The SHOW-ME Arts program (SMarts) provides information, training and role-playing activities for students - who then apply those skills by meeting with their legislators. and participants arranged their own meetings with their legislator to coincide with the other Fine Arts celebrations at the capitol.
What to expect: At the SMarts Summit on Tuesday evening, you’ll work with other teens, enjoy fun and fellowship as you learn about the issues from legislator trainers and other volunteers, rehearse your advocacy pitch and “elevator speech” to present to legislators on Wednesday’s Fine Arts Educators Day.
Show-Me Arts students often:
write letters, cards and notes
meet with department of education (DESE) officials and journalists
prepare statements, deliver testimony at legislative hearings
personally advocate for the arts at the Missouri State Capitol
gain a unique perspective of state government and grow as arts advocates and citizens
share the products of their arts education through exhibits or performances
Purpose of the Show-Me Arts Summit
Students see fine arts programs and budgets in danger of being cut or limited in local school districts and they want to do something about it. They also know the power of the arts in their own lives and can see the benefit of promoting arts-friendly policies.
Educating the public and the policymakers about the importance of fine arts in our schools is one way to make the arts flourish as a vital part of every student’s education. Cornerstones of activity for student arts advocates include the development of a focused advocacy message to promote arts education, and training to share that message not only with state legislators, but also to use in their home communities around the state.
What to Expect at the SHOW-ME STUDENT ADVOCACY SUMMIT
The Way We Were...
Prior to 2020, these training sessions were held the evening that preceded Fine Arts Education Day. Thanks to the generosity of our friends at the Francis Family Foundation we were previously able to offer this Summit as an all inclusive package for the low cost of $35 per person. (2019 prices)
This experience included:
Tuesday evening registration
dinner
three hours of advocacy training
advocacy training materials
overnight lodging (shared occupancy) at the Doubletree Hotel
Wednesday morning breakfast
Join students and teachers from all over the state at Fine Arts Education Day at the Missouri's Capitol to put your training to work
meetings with legislators
lunch (advance reservations needed)
PANDEMIC CHANGES
With social distancing guidelines in place as we approached the planning process in the summer/autumn of 2020, the 2021 SMart Summit went virtual. Shared overnight accommodations and shared restroom space, as well as buffet-style food service and other considerations of the "way we have always done it" simply did not allow for utilization of social distancing protocols. Student safety is of greatest importance, so changes are in the planning stages.
With ever shifting circumstances we acknowledge that the best laid plans may change. Current plans include a statewide call for teachers/sponsors and students to gather in-person with a companion 75-minute training session and a culminating webinar for both in-person and virtual participants on March 22, 2021.
Students can also work to schedule video-conferences with legislators in lieu of "in-person" visits.
Stay tuned as our plans continue to evolve.
Students: Join a network of fine arts student leaders to let your voice be heard. Our message is simple.
Every School. Every Child. Every Day.
How did Show-Me Arts begin?
Show-Me Arts is a student-led arts advocacy initiative that began with one small group of juniors and seniors from Logan-Rogersville High School in Southwest Missouri in 2008. This small, dedicated group, worked with their state representative, Bob Dixon, and the Missouri Alliance for Arts Education to develop House Bill 870, legislation to promote fine arts professional development for teachers. In 2010 Representative Dixon introduced the bill in the House and Senator David Pearce introduced the bill in the Senate. Show-Me Arts committee members provided testimony at Committee hearings for the bill, met with state department of education (DESE) officials, prepared statements, personally advocated for the arts at the Missouri State Capitol and gained a unique perspective of state government. The students and their supporters were rewarded when the 2011 legislature passed their idea into law.
Over the years students from high schools across the state have met at the annual Summit to learn and practice advocacy skills. Members of Show-Me Arts have taken an active role in working with the Board of the Missouri Alliance for Arts Education in planning advocacy activities. This year we want to involve even more students from schools across the state. More students, speaking in a coordinated effort, means the case for the arts in education is being stated more forcefully than ever.
