IBSC Ideas Lab
Professional Conversations About Boys and the Arts
Starting January 30, 2025
This IBSC Ideas Lab has reached capacity. Please contact Bruce Collins at collins@theibsc.org to add your name to the waitlist. Thank you.
IBSC Ideas Lab invites faculty in member schools who are involved in performing arts, visual arts, and music to connect virtually using the free online tool Zoom. Limited to 14 participants plus the facilitator, this IBSC Ideas Lab includes three one-hour sessions for participants to discuss relevant topics.
Designed as an interactive exchange among colleagues, IBSC Ideas Lab engages dedicated educators who learn and grow together. Before each session, participants engage with relevant resources to provide a foundation for discussions. Together we surface fresh ideas and build mutual support structures and enduring professional friendships.
Available exclusively to IBSC member schools, first-time participants who can commit to joining all three sessions get preference in registration to support the success of each small group. No more than two participants from one school may register for an Ideas Lab.
In the spirit of open dialogue and collaboration, IBSC Ideas Labs are not recorded, allowing participants the freedom to express themselves openly and share their experiences candidly.
Who Should Attend?
IBSC member-school faculty who teach, coordinate, or lead programs in performing arts, visual arts, and music
Format
IBSC Ideas Lab attendees participate in three scheduled one-hour calls using Zoom. Jacob Bennett, director of middle school bands and general music teacher at St. John's Preparatory School (United States), facilitates each session.
Conversation Topics
Conversation 1
The Art of the Matter: Making the Case for Arts Education in a Boys' School
Thursday, January 30, 4:00 PM EST, 9:00 PM GMT, 11:00 PM SAST
Friday, January 31, 8:00 AM AEDT, 10:00 AM NZDT
Check the event time in your time zone.
60 minutes
Join a dynamic discussion on championing arts education in boys' schools. Share proven advocacy strategies that resonate with parents, students, administrators, and fellow teachers. Explore how to navigate challenges like sports culture dominance and resource allocation to ensure equitable access to the arts. Learn how to effectively communicate the value of arts education, build alliances within your school community, and advocate for policies that support a well-rounded education for boys.
Conversation 2
Beyond the Stereotypes: Reframing Masculinity and Artistic Expression
Wednesday, February 5, 4:00 PM EST, 9:00 PM GMT, 11:00 PM SAST
Thursday, February 6, 8:00 AM AEDT, 10:00 AM NZDT
Check the event time in your time zone.
60 minutes
Delve into how traditional notions of masculinity can impact boys' engagement with the arts and explore practical strategies to foster inclusive arts environments that encourage self-expression and challenge stereotypes. Discuss how to bridge the gap between students' perceptions of masculinity and healthier, more inclusive views. Gain insights into the connection between identity and artistic expression, learn how to create a safe space for boys to explore their creativity, and discover ways to promote positive expressions of masculinity.
Conversation 3
Beyond the Classroom: Engaging Boys in Arts-Based Community Partnerships
Thursday, February 13, 4:00 PM EST, 9:00 PM GMT, 11:00 PM SAST
Friday, February 14, 8:00 AM AEDT, 10:00 AM NZDT
Check the event time in your time zone.
60 minutes
Think outside the box! Discover exciting ways to connect boys with the arts through partnerships with local artists, organizations, and cultural institutions. Explore real-world examples of how arts education can empower boys to make a difference in their communities. Learn how to forge meaningful community partnerships, develop engaging arts-based projects with real-world impact, and demonstrate the value of arts education to a wider audience.
Registration
IBSC member rate: US $170
This IBSC Ideas Lab has reached capacity. Please contact Bruce Collins at collins@theibsc.org to add your name to the waitlist. Thank you.
Refund Policy
IBSC will refund 90% of registration fees if a written request is received by January 16, 2025. No refunds will be made for cancellations received after this date. Schools seeking to register an alternate to replace a participant unable to attend should contact IBSC@theibsc.org.
Please note: Watch your email for login information for this IBSC Ideas Lab by January 23, 2025. If you registered for this IBSC Ideas Lab after this date, watch for login information within 24 hours.
Participation certificates: Participants present for all three conversations will receive a certificate of participation within two weeks of the final session.
Facilitator
Jacob Bennett
Jacob Bennett currently serves as the director of middle school bands at St. John's Preparatory School (United States), a school for boys in Danvers, Massachusetts. Since he began seven years ago, he has sought to understand the single-sex experience in music and education through studies and research. Bennett worked as a fine arts curriculum coordinator for much of his time at the Prep, where he led a team in designing meaningful art experiences through and after the pandemic. He believes research-centered practices will help teachers advocate for their programs and elicit positive lifelong learning experiences for our students. Bennett is currently working toward his doctorate in music education at Boston University.