Over 100 Presenters Appear at 2014 Houston Arts Partners Conference This Weekend

Over 100 presenters will participate in the fourth annual Houston Arts Partners Conference, to be held this weekend, September 5 - 6, 2014, at The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts. These include not only nationally-known arts leaders like Anthony Brandt, David Eagleman, Nick Rabkin, James Haywood Rolling Jr., and MoveSpeakSpin, but a vast array of arts educators in all fields from the Houston region. Additional information and online registration are available at www.HAPConference.org.

The HAP conference has emerged as the state's major source for illuminating the critical value of the arts to educators in all subjects. It is a unique event highlighting the irreplaceable value of partnerships between arts organizations and school districts, not only to allow students access to live arts experiences, but to use arts-based tools to support student achievement in any field. As Houston's importance as an arts and cultural destination grows, arts education through partnerships ensures that all children, regardless of neighborhood or income level, can access the city's cultural resources and the benefits of cultural literacy. These are benefits to individuals, campuses, and the city and region as a whole.

This year's conference, entitled "The Global Classroom: Cultures and Communities," draws on Houston's diversity and cultural riches to enhance the classroom experience and advocate for equitable arts access for all children. The conference explores the benefits of knowing how to make connections through the arts - whether across cultures or within a school curriculum - in a world increasingly interwoven with technology, trade, and job mobility.

This year's conference co-chairs are Rozie Curtis, Manager of Education at Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS), and Larry Matysiak, Director of Fine Arts for Cypress-Fairbanks ISD. The 2013 conference, "Arts Work," drew 600 attendees from 24 school districts Texas-wide as well as private schools, charter schools, arts organizations, and other non-profits.

About Houston Arts Partners: Houston Arts Partners is a coalition of Houston-area school districts and Houston's leading arts organizations working together to ensure all children have equitable access to high-quality arts-in-education experiences and support creative learning through the arts as a vehicle for discovery and success in students' academic and social environments.

Houston Arts Partners is dedicated to bridging the gap between the arts and all Houston-area K-12 schools through collective impact. Houston Arts Partners is an unprecedented coalition of non-profit, professional arts organizations and 53 Houston-area school districts committed to the complete arts education that includes fine arts instruction, professional arts experiences, and use of the arts across the curriculum. For more information, contact us at 713.552.9345 or info@hapconference.org.