Planning for PTA Start the Art Week

• Invite parents, the school principal, teachers, arts leaders, and other community members to participate in the planning.
  
  
• Make sure the planning committee reflects the diversity of families in your school.
  

2. Identify priorities and available resources.

• Survey families to determine the needs, interests, and talents of the school community.
  
  
• Identify the available budget and other resources.
  
  
• Based on the survey responses and available resources, decide whether you will host one special event or a week of fun art activities, or whether you will plan a different kind of campaign altogether.
  
  
• Define a vision for the selected program. Find ways to meet the needs, appeal to the interests, and make use of the talents of your school community.
  

3. Plan the program.

• Develop a checklist and timeline to help you address all aspects of the planning process.
  
  
• Determine how many volunteers you will need, and recruit them from the school community. Be sure to reach out to those who may not have been involved in previous programs.
  
  
• Establish what roles parents and the school will play.
  
  
• Set a date, time, and place for each event or activity.
  
• Obtain a license to operate, if necessary.
  
  
• Make sure the event site has the necessary audiovisual equipment, lighting, chairs, and tables.
  
  
• Make arrangements for parking, refreshments, and child care. Organize a carpool program to provide transportation for families who may not otherwise be able to attend.
  
  
• Invite guest speakers, if appropriate.
  
  
• Assign volunteers to all aspects of setup, teardown, and cleanup.
  
  
• Solicit monetary and in-kind donations from local businesses to support your program.
  
  
• Obtain informational resources for parents from local arts organizations, libraries, school arts teachers, etc.
  

4. Spread the word.

• Inform the local media of your events and invite them to attend.
  
  
• Tell all school families about PTA Start the Art Week and the scheduled activities. Use e-mail, postal mail, and school and PTA newsletters. Post fliers in the community.
  
  
• Make personal contact. Distribute information to parents when they pick up their children from school, or develop a phone tree.
  
  
• Inform students about the planned activities by posting fliers around the school or including information about events in morning announcements.
  
  
• Invite local decision makers and school board members to your events so they can see your community's commitment to the arts and the benefits of arts education for students.
  

5. Celebrate the Arts!