A Data-Driven Approach to Arts Education
Ingenuity collects arts education data on behalf of the CPS Department of Arts Education and the district, and produces tools and reports based on these data to fuel decision-making and drive sector impact.
As a backbone organization, Ingenuity fosters collaboration by championing shared measurement systems, aligning stakeholders around common goals, and ensuring consistent metrics to track progress.
Our Data Driven Approach to Advancing Arts Education
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12
Years of Arts Education Data Collection and Reporting
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99%
of all 649 CPS Schools Submitted Arts Education Data in 2024-25
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96,000
More Students have Access to Excelling Schools in 2023-24 than in 2012-13
At Ingenuity, Data Isn’t Just Collected—It’s Activated
We work hand-in-hand with Chicago Public Schools’ Department of Arts Education and a wide range of partners to turn information into action. Our data approach fuels strategy, informs policy, and helps transform arts education across the city.
As a trusted backbone organization, we lead the charge in building a culture of collaboration—establishing shared goals, unified metrics, and a common language for progress. Together with our stakeholders, we ensure that every data point moves us closer to access, quality, and equity in arts education.
From data collection to trend analysis to actionable insights, Ingenuity’s data work reveals where arts education thrives—and where it needs support. This comprehensive, transparent process empowers educators, administrators, arts organizations, and community partners to make informed, strategic decisions that elevate student experiences in the arts.
The result? A powerful, data-driven ecosystem that supports every CPS student’s creative journey.
Gather
Every year, Ingenuity collaborates with the CPS Department of Arts Education to gather data from multiple sources, including directly from Arts Liaisons representing their individual schools, arts organizations, and administrative data from CPS.
Validate & Analyze
Data collected from artlook® undergoes a rigorous validation process, including through a Data Audit for all school data submitted.
Disseminate
Ingenuity has developed a range of data tools that are designed not only to share data transparently with the sector but also to guide informed decision-making at all levels. These tools serve as critical resources for driving change within the arts education landscape, with each tool tailored to meet specific needs and audiences.
Activate & Align
Analyses are shared with stakeholders across the sector to ensure transparency, facilitate dialogue, and drive strategy. A collaborative process is established, allowing the sector to align and develop a more nuanced, shared understanding of the data.
From Insights to Sector-Level Impact
These data tools support all stakeholders across the sector—the educators, school leaders, arts organizations, district leadership, advocates, and decision-makers—who are doing the important work of building a stronger, more creative future.
