Organization: NATIONAL CENTER FOR ARTS AND TECHNOLOGY
Mission: THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR ARTS & TECHNOLOGY (NCAT) IS AN AFFILIATE OF MANCHESTER BIDWELL CORPORATION (MBC). THE ORGANIZATION COLLABORATES WITH CITIES TO PLAN AND OPEN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS KNOWN AS CENTERS FOR ARTS & TECHNOLOGY. THIS PROCESS REPLICATES THE MANCHESTER BIDWELL EDUCATION MODEL THAT COMBINES ADULT CAREER TRAINING AND YOUTH ARTS PROGRAMMING TO IMPROVE LIFELONG OUTCOMES OF LOCAL RESIDENTS. IN FISCAL YEAR 2019-2020, NCAT'S REPLICATION EFFORTS INCLUDED 11 OPEN AND OPERATING CENTERS, FOUR CENTERS PLANNING TO OPEN, AND TWO COMMUNITIES ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN FEASIBILITY STUDIES TO ASSESS THE VIABILITY OF OPENING A LOCAL CENTER. ADDITIONALLY, NCAT ENGAGED IN NUMEROUS CONVERSATIONS WITH STAKEHOLDERS AROUND THE WORLD INTERESTED IN BRINGING THE MANCHESTER BIDWELL EDUCATION MODEL TO THEIR LOCAL COMMUNITIES.
Activities: DURING 2019-20, NCAT UTILIZED ITS NEWLY DESIGNED WEBSITE THAT SERVES AS BOTH A BRANDING SITE FOR VISIBILITY AND A SECURE PORTAL FOR MEMBER CENTERS. THE SECURE PORTION OF THE WEBSITE HOSTS EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES, VIDEO LESSONS FROM CENTERS, AND OTHER MATERIALS THAT ARE USED BY CENTERS AS THEY PLAN CURRICULUM AND PROGRAMMING FOR BOTH YOUTH AND ADULT BENEFICIARIES. ADDITIONALLY, NCAT ESTABLISHED A PRESENCE ON SOCIAL MEDIA DURING 2019-20 TO SHARE NEWS AND UPDATES FROM THE CENTERS.
NTEE category: Education
Secondary category: Youth Development