President Lentini participated in the inaugural Long Island Arts Education Summit hosted by the Long Island Arts Alliance. The transformative event was designed to bring educators, arts leaders, business professionals, and community advocates together to explore the vital role of arts education in our schools and communities. The summit took place on January 28, 2025, at Hofstra University, and aimed to foster collaboration and innovation in arts education by highlighting successful partnerships and advocacy strategies.
The day included engaging panel discussions, keynote presentations, and workshops. Participants gained insights into best practices for integrating the arts into educational curricula and enhancing community engagement. The goal was to empower attendees to advocate for arts education and work together to create inclusive, impactful programs that benefit all students on Long Island.
President Lentini, who is a member of the LIAA Board of Directors, was part of a panel discussing the transformative power of the arts, collaborative strategies for advancing arts education, and challenges facing today’s educators and arts advocates. Bridging diverse perspectives can enhance educational outcomes and foster vibrant communities. The panel moderator was Roger Tilles, Regent, New York State Education Department; Founder and Advisory Board Chair, Long Island Arts Alliance. The other panelists were Michael Salzman, Interim Executive Director, NYSSMA; Peter Klein, President, Claire Friedlander Foundation; and Stephanie Turner, Director of Education, Tilles Center for the Performing Arts.
The Long Island Arts Alliance (LIAA) is an alliance of and for the region’s not-for-profit arts, cultural and arts education organizations. LIAA promotes awareness of and participation in Long Island’s world-class arts and cultural institutions. Formed in 2003, the LIAA offers leadership and diverse support services to arts organizations, advocates for arts education in our schools and collaborates on economic development strategies and community revitalization.
The Long Island Arts Alliance, through its programs and many partnerships, actively works to connect diverse art, artists, and arts organizations to audiences in the streets, galleries, museums, theaters, and classrooms found throughout our communities.