By Mike Lawler
ARTS for ALL Wisconsin

Recently, Any Given Child Madison (AGCM) announced that Christina Martin-Wright, executive director of ARTS for ALL Wisconsin (formerly VSA Wisconsin), has been named to the leadership team.

The Ensuring the Arts for Any Given Child program is an initiative of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and is currently in 27 communities across the United States, including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. In 2014 AGCM received a gift from the estate of Carl M. Hudig to support the goals created by its community arts team, which include facilitating and fostering connections between Madison Metropolitan School District, local arts organizations and teaching artists.

“It’s important that we are at the table, representing children with disabilities and ensuring that students and families that are not regularly part of the conversation are heard,” said Martin-Wright. ARTS for ALL Wisconsin regularly conducts artist residencies in preK‒12 schools throughout Wisconsin. The residencies include music, dance/movement, creative writing and visual art programs in Madison schools designed to be integrated with students with and without disabilities.

“The Kennedy Center is delighted that Christina Martin-Wright has been appointed to the Any Given Child Madison Leadership Team,” said Jeanette McCune, director of school and community programs at the Kennedy Center. “Students with disabilities are often left out of arts education opportunities. Her expertise and experience as a respected leader at the intersection of arts and disability will ensure thoughtful and comprehensive inclusion strategies to support arts equity for every child.”

“Any Given Child Madison is focused on equity, which isn’t possible unless all identities and abilities are represented in the work,” said Alanna Medearis, director of education and community engagement for the Overture Center in Madison, and a fellow Leadership Team member.

It is the mission of AGCM to strategically assist our community and partners in the design, implementation and sustainability of arts education to ensure access and equity for all Madison public school students. More information is available at anygivenchildmadison.org.

Information about ARTS for ALL Wisconsin is available at artsforallwi.org.