1. Arts-Based Learning - Gaining
Traction Through Coordinated
Conferences
By Harvey Seifter

2. Introduction
• Harvey Seifter is a New York, NY, executive who has led
a consultancy that helps set in place dynamic futures
through creative, arts-based learning and leadership. As
head of The Art of Science Learning in New York, Harvey
Seifter guides an initiative that is funded by the National
Science Foundation and seeks ways of improving
innovation and communication dynamics in schools and
the workplace.
A 2012 summary evaluation report of three “Shaping the
21st-Century Workforce” conferences explores the
dynamics of the events, including who attends, what
their experiences are, and how their experiences
translate into future engagement and behavior changes.

3. Arts-Based Learning
• A significant percentage of attendees found that a
core objective of the conferences was to initiate a
national dialogue on STEM learning and how and
why arts are integrated within education. The
perceived emphasis was on advocating for a change
from a STEM to “STEAM” paradigm, with holistic
education enabled through hands-on learning.
Participants saw the conferences as “flipping a
switch” from the perception of arts-based learning
as an abstract value to an actionable concept with
significant community support. Presentations are
available in full on The Art of Science Learning
website at www.artofsciencelearning.org.