Project
Arts Education Week (SEA)
Context
In accordance with the agreement reached at the 36th session of UNESCO's General Conference in 2011 (Resolution 36/C55), the fourth week of May was proclaimed as International Arts Education Week. This celebration seeks to raise awareness of the importance of artistic education as an essential part of comprehensive human development and to promote access to it both within and beyond the school environment.
Arts education contributes to the development of skills, values, and behaviours that are crucial in today's world. Collaboration, creativity, innovation, critical thinking, and an appreciation of cultural diversity are key competencies that foster tolerance, encourage dialogue, and strengthen both social cohesion and a sense of belonging. In this way, it plays a vital role in achieving inclusive, sustainable, and holistic development.
Phases
In Chile, Arts Education Week (SEA) has been held every May since 2013. During this event, a variety of activities take place, including workshops, conferences, and artistic performances, where children and young people play a central role. Over more than ten editions, SEA has evolved from a week-long celebration into an ongoing movement, deeply embraced and adapted by communities across the country.
SEA is organised by an executive committee that annually engages local communities. This committee includes the UNESCO Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean in Santiago, the Ministry of Cultures, Arts, and Heritage, the Ministry of Education, the Undersecretariat for Early Childhood Education, the University of Chile, Balmaceda Arte Joven, and the Foundation for Youth and Children's Orchestras.
Each year, the executive committee sets a specific theme to encourage a shared perspective in celebrating SEA. To support this, a guidance document is created, providing various strategies and adaptable tools for different contexts. Additionally, a dedicated online platform is made available for participants to share and publish their activities. Through these initiatives across the country, SEA aims to reaffirm the importance of artistic practices and arts education, both within schools and in broader learning environments.
SEA also seeks to foster collaborative partnerships among the various stakeholders that make up the arts education ecosystem. These partnerships support the development of projects and experiences that expand educational spaces beyond the classroom, ensuring cultural relevance. As part of this effort, SEA organises several key events, including the Artistic Research Seminar, the Arts Education and Early Childhood Seminar, and the Seminar on Arts Education Experiences.
Arts Education Week (SEA)
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