Photo Credit: Adrian Gonzalez
A first-of-its-kind initiative brings leading community organizations together to ensure every student districtwide has access to high-quality arts education.
Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) and Arts Access Miami (AAM) have entered into a first-of-its-kind partnership to dramatically expand equitable access to arts education across the school district. Managed by Young Musicians Unite (YMU) and fiscally sponsored by The Miami Foundation (TMF), AAM is building a thriving arts education ecosystem to ensure every student in every school in Miami-Dade has access to arts and music education.
Through a Letter of Understanding (LOU), M-DCPS and Arts Access commit to a shared vision: every student in Miami-Dade deserves the opportunity to explore, create, and grow through the arts, no matter their zip code. Arts Access brings together a coalition of leading arts organizations, including Arts For Learning, Miami Music Project, and Guitars Over Guns, to deliver consistent, high-quality programming in music, visual arts, media arts, dance, and theater.
“This partnership affirms our belief that the arts are not a luxury, they’re a necessity,” said Dr. Jose L. Dotres, Superintendent of Miami-Dade County Public Schools of MDCPS. “We’re proud to co-author and fully support this bold new model with some of the most impactful community organizations in our region.”
Under the agreement, Arts Access will serve as the district’s strategic partner for arts education development. A signing ceremony was held on June 10 celebrating the start of this transformative districtwide collaboration.
“Arts Access represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build something lasting,” said Zach Larmer, Chief Operating Officer of Young Musicians Unite. “Together with M-DCPS and our partners, we are reimagining what’s possible for arts education in this county.”
The initiative will:
- Bring more arts programs to schools that need them most.
- Pilot new instructional models that pair nonprofit teaching artists with certified educators.
- Support the professional development of arts teachers and community instructors.
- Develop unified systems for data, impact tracking, and strategic planning.
Looking ahead, AAM plans to expand into the Norland and South Ridge feeder patterns and establish alliances in Central, West, and East Miami-Dade by 2028. Strategic partnerships with local colleges and universities aim to address the critical shortage of certified arts educators, ensuring a steady stream of passionate teachers for years to come.
Arts Access also honored the arts and education leaders from Miami’s local community, whose vision and dedication made this historic agreement and initiative possible. In a special on-stage presentation, Superintendent Dr. Jose L. Dotres personally presented awards to each of the honorees in recognition of their outstanding contributions.
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