Beyond the Bell: Leveraging the Arts Across Communities for School and District Success

Join us at the Southern Indiana Education Center as we host two days focused on fine arts educators, work-based learning competencies, and recent changes that impact fine arts programs across the state of Indiana. Brian Weidner from Butler University will be leading both days and will begin Day 2 by leading participants in learning and exploring the following:

• Continuing the good work started on Day 1 (November 2025 - The Arts at Work: Job-based Competencies, Experiences, and Pathways in the Arts)

• Building community connections/experiences directly related to work-based competencies practiced in fine arts classrooms

• Discovering how to bring community stakeholders together to work together and speak the same language

• Creating collaborative internships

• Developing fine arts pathways utilizing community resources

Participants will have the opportunity to practice learned professional skills and plan next steps in building/affirming community partners. This is the perfect time to collaborate and connect with colleagues while working to provide students with focused opportunities in the arts. Join us on January 12 to learn more!

*Note: This session is a continuation of Day 1, "The Arts at Work: Job-based Competencies, Experiences, and Pathways in the Arts," (November 3, 2025), but can also be attended as a "stand-alone" session. Feel free to register even if you missed the first session!

Workshop Details:

• Date: January 12, 2026

• Time: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm EST

• Location: SIEC, 1102 Tree Lane Drive, Jasper, IN 47546

• Fee Structure: SIEC/ESCI Member - $200/Non-member $280 **If registering for both sessions in this Fine Arts series (see also Day 1 taking place on November 3, 2025), then the TOTAL fee for SIEC/ESCI Members is $300 per person (Nonmembers is $420) ***If registering a school/district team of 3 or more, each person receives a 10% discount (SIEC/ESCI member schools only)

• Other Details:

  • Please bring a laptop computer so online resources can be accessed.

  • A catered lunch will be provided.

  • Participants will receive Professional Growth Points.

  • Deadline to register is 2 weeks before each workshop.

  • See the embedded registration form below.

Presenter: Brian N. Weidner

Brian N. Weidner is Associate Professor and Coordinator of Music Education at Butler University. He holds a Ph.D. in Music Education from Northwestern University with additional degrees in music and education from Olivet Nazarene University, Northern Illinois University, and Illinois State University.  Previously, he served as the Fine Arts Coordinator and Director of Bands at McHenry (IL) High School.  In his current position, he teaches undergraduate courses in instrumental music and administration and graduate courses in curriculum, assessment, philosophy, and research methods. He was recognized as Indiana Collegiate Music Teacher of the Year by IMEA in 2023.

He has published articles in JRME, MEJ, BCRME, IJEA, IJME, JMTE, PoM, CMS Symposium, and regional journals and has presented nationally and internationally.  He is also the author of Brass Techniques and Pedagogy and an editor of the book series Points of Disruption in Music Education. He is the Communications Chair for the Society of Music Teacher Education and Policy Chair for the Indiana Music Education Association. His research focuses on the development of independent musicianship through large music ensembles and processes of disruption in music teacher education.