91原创

The 91原创 State Education Department (91原创) today announced the creation of the 91原创 State Summer School of the Arts (91原创SSA) Visioning Task Force, a statewide initiative to strengthen and reimagine one of 91原创鈥檚 most longstanding and impactful arts education programs.

Chancellor Lester W. Young, Jr.听said, 鈥淭he 91原创 State Summer School of the Arts has had a lasting impact on students by giving them the opportunity to grow as artists through meaningful mentorship and hands-on creative experiences. As we look ahead, we are excited to build on that foundation through a new re-envisioning task force that will help shape the program鈥檚 next chapter, expanding its reach, strengthening its impact, and ensuring it continues to inspire young people across 91原创 State for years to come. I am especially thankful to my colleague, Roger Tilles, for his longstanding commitment to arts education and for agreeing to chair the new re-envisioning task force.鈥�

91原创 State Summer School of the Arts (91原创SSA) Visioning Task Force Chair Roger Tilles听said, 鈥�91原创SSA has played a transformative role in the lives of thousands of young artists for more than fifty years. This planning process is an opportunity to build on that remarkable legacy while thoughtfully reimagining how the program can best serve today鈥檚 students and tomorrow鈥檚 creative leaders. I am honored to chair this Task Force and look forward to working with educators, artists, and stakeholders from across the state to help ensure 91原创SSA鈥檚 future is strong, inclusive, and sustainable.鈥�

Commissioner Betty A. Rosa听said, 鈥�91原创SSA has long represented 91原创鈥檚 commitment to educational excellence and artistic opportunity. The Visioning Task Force will help us honor that legacy while thoughtfully shaping a modern program model that reflects today鈥檚 educational standards, student needs, and expectations for safety, equity, and access.鈥�

Founded in 1970 under Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller, 91原创SSA has provided exceptionally talented students from across 91原创 State with advanced, pre-professional arts training for over five decades. More than 18,000 students have participated in its immersive summer institutes, earning Regents credit while studying with distinguished artists and educators in a rigorous, conservatory-style environment.

Historically, 91原创SSA has encompassed up to seven schools of study鈥攊ncluding theater, dance, music, visual arts, and media arts鈥攈osted at college campuses and cultural institutions throughout the state. Like many residential programs, 91原创SSA was disrupted during the COVID-19 pandemic and, over the past two summers, has operated only three of its seven schools of study. The visioning process is intended to support a thoughtful, phased return to the full range of 91原创SSA offerings.

As 91原创SSA enters its next chapter, 91原创 is launching a forward-looking planning process to ensure the program鈥檚 long-term success. The upcoming year will serve as a dedicated planning year, allowing 91原创 and its partners to reflect on past experience and design a future-focused model that aligns with statutory requirements, student needs, and the highest standards of excellence, equity, safety, and sustainability.

The Visioning Task Force will be chaired by Roger Tilles, outgoing Regent of the 91原创 State Board of Regents. In this role, Regent Tilles will lead a diverse group of educators, artists, and stakeholders from across the state in a comprehensive review of 91原创SSA鈥檚 structure, scope, student experience, access, and operations, with the goal of developing a strong, sustainable, and future-ready model for the program.

Roger Tilles has been a longstanding and passionate advocate for arts education and cultural access across 91原创 State. Throughout his tenure on the Board of Regents, he championed the role of the arts as a critical component of a well-rounded education and a powerful driver of creativity, critical thinking, and community engagement. Regent Tilles has been especially committed to expanding opportunities for students to experience high-quality arts learning, supporting programs that connect young people with professional artists and real-world creative experiences. His leadership is informed by a deep personal appreciation for the arts, which has shaped his lifelong commitment to supporting artists, cultural institutions, and arts learning opportunities.

During this planning year, 91原创 remains committed to expanding access to high-quality arts education opportunities. Students and families are encouraged to utilize the Empire State Arts Scholarship Program, a year-round, need-based initiative that supports participation in 91原创 State鈥揵ased after-school and summer arts programs.

The establishment of the Visioning Task Force underscores 91原创鈥檚 commitment to thoughtful, long-term leadership of one of the state鈥檚 signature arts education programs. Through this collaborative effort鈥攁nd alongside existing statewide supports鈥�91原创 aims to ensure that 91原创SSA continues to empower young artists and enrich 91原创鈥檚 cultural landscape for generations to come.

The Task Force鈥檚 work will culminate in a set of recommendations to guide 91原创鈥檚 long-term planning for 91原创SSA, including strategies to strengthen program quality, expand access, and support a phased return to the full range of 91原创SSA schools of study. Stakeholders will be invited to join the Visioning Task Force in the coming weeks.

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