Leading Change in Arts Education: Tools & Tactics for Advocacy
Session Description:
This overview session will provide a broad look at Maryland arts education advocacy. This session clarifies the direct connection between arts education access and the future of Maryland’s creative sector. The session will educate attendees on
1) what Maryland public school students should have access to under the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR);
2) what Maryland public school students currently have access to, based upon data from the Maryland Arts Education Data Project;
3) the impacts of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future legislation on arts education; and 4) ways that their voices as constituents can be mobilized to help increase arts education access in their education communities.
Presenter: Peter Dayton
Peter Dayton currently serves as Director of Operations for Arts Education in Maryland Schools (AEMS), where he has worked since 2018. Coming from an education background that was academically privileged but lacking in arts experiences, Peter’s biography attests to the pivotal power of the arts to transform lives and learning. In his various positions and capacities (including Interim Executive Director), he has publicly presented on arts education advocacy, written and presented testimony before the Maryland General Assembly, organized large-scale convenings, and successfully facilitated a partnership between the Maryland State Department of Education and Quadrant Research to initiate the Maryland Arts Education Data Project. In 2024, Peter was awarded the Friend of Dance Award by the Maryland Dance Education Association. An Ohioan happily transplanted to Maryland, Peter earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Vanderbilt University majoring in Composition/Theory and minoring in English. He received his Master’s Degree in Composition from The Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University and has lived in Baltimore ever since.
Presenter: Rachel McGrain
Rachel McGrain (she/her) is the Executive Director at Arts Education in Maryland Schools (AEMS). Rachel’s commitment to educational equity and social justice has inspired her career in education and nonprofit leadership. Her current work at AEMS includes co-chairing Maryland’s Fine Arts Education Advisory Panel to advise the State Superintendent and collaborating with statewide arts and education organizations on programming and advocacy initiatives. She is the recipient of the 2025 NAEA Distinguished Service Outside the Profession Award. A lifelong Marylander, Rachel is a proud graduate of Howard County public schools and former Baltimore City public school math and music teacher and track coach. Rachel earned Bachelors of Arts in Music/Trumpet Performance and History at the University of Maryland, College Park and a Master of Science in Educational Studies from Johns Hopkins University.
Date, Time and Location
Tuesday June 17th
Breakout Session 1: 10:30 am – 11:30 am
Room: CPA 113