Strategic Foundation Building Retreats
for arts-in-education partnerships

What are these retreats?
Strategic Foundation Building retreats are day long gatherings in which school faculty and staff- including teachers, principals, teachers aides, librarians, parents, and others-- meet with their colleagues from their partnering cultural organization—such as administrators, program managers, program directors and teaching artists 

Under the guidance of a trained facilitator, participants in a Strategic Foundation Building (SFB) retreat engage in a series of exercises and discussion topics tailored to the partnership.  As a group, participants collectively develop a long range vision, discuss goals for the partnership, and address “nuts and bolts” issues.  

The goals of the retreat are to articulate a school-based vision, cultivate a shared commitment, build a trusting relationship among partners, and empower teacher leadership.

How do the SFB retreats work?
Step 1: Plan the Retreat
About two to three weeks before the retreat, the retreat facilitator will meet or conference with members of the partnership, to review specific partnership concerns and to establish an agenda for the day.

Representatives of each major constituent group within the partnership should be included in the planning for the retreat. The selection of persons to attend the retreat is all-important, especially if the partnership is with a larger number of teachers and teaching artists than might be accommodated effectively in the retreat. It is important to bring the "school voice" forward within the partnerships, in which the cultural partner often dominates the discourse and the project management functions. Thus, an ideal team comprises mostly teachers/teacher leaders, the school principal and, if appropriate, the Parent Coordinator or a PTA official. On the high school level, a student might also take part. The team is then completed with a few well-chosen cultural administrators, educators and teaching artists.

Step 2: Host the Retreat
It’s recommended that the retreat be held off site, away from the school, on a “neutral” ground. During the course of this retreat, participants will discuss their visions of success, their expectations and hopes, and their previous experiences working in arts-in-ed partnerships.

Teaching artist training is not the focus of the retreat, but should be addressed elsewhere.

Step 3: Follow up
The retreat facilitator follows up with retreat participants, to insure that proper documentation, notation, etc., are available.

How beneficial are these retreats?
Here are some statements from people who’ve been through the SFB retreat process:

“The single most valuable experience from the retreat was the exchange between the artists and the teachers.  There was a palpable shift in the room as they began to develop a better understanding of each other’s roles.” -- Education Director, cultural organization

"The retreat gave everyone an opportunity to understand, articulate and appreciate what our mutual goals are.  They saw how closely aligned we are and that our partnership will enrich everyone's learning." -- Executive Director, cultural organization

"We spoke openly and honestly. We encouraged each other's responses in a positive manner.  We were open and non-judgmental about each other's offerings. We worked together!" -- Education Director, cultural organization

"You have empowered us to help our students." -- Elementary School Teacher

"The retreat has made me optimistic.  We now have a good foundation to begin implementation of our project." -- Teacher

"As a parent I got more involved and am interested in even more involvement with the school and my child's life in school." -- Parent

Who are the SFB retreat facilitators?
SFB retreat facilitators are highly experienced arts-in-education professionals (long-term administrators, highly respected independent consultants, etc.) who have been trained in the SFB protocols. Facilitators are usually assigned to the retreats based on the partnership’s unique profile (i.e., geographical location, grade level, artistic discipline, etc.). 

How much does a SFB retreat cost?
It is recommended that you budget $2500 - $3000 for the retreat.  The facilitators will invoice your partnership for $1500 (minimum) to cover their planning, preparation, facilitation of the one-day retreat and follow-up. Other potential costs to consider in planning for a retreat are hospitality costs (location rental, food, etc.), meeting materials and supplies, facilitator travel expenses and other personnel compensation (teacher after-school pay, substitute teacher expense, teaching artist expenses, travel reimbursements for participants, etc.).

For more information about SFB retreats please contact any of the following people:
Amy Duggins Pender, NYSCA, 212-741-5256. Email
Gary Dayton, NYSCA, 212-741-5257. Email
Phil Alexander, ESP Professional Development Program, 212-769-7031. Email
Nan Westervelt, 585-381-2347. Email
Laura Reeder, Partners for Arts Education (PAE) 315 234 9911. Email
Sue Stonecash, PAE, Technical Assistance Program (TAP) 315 234 9911. Email