# Together towards inclusiveness

> Art pedagogical competence is the key to wide-ranging, multi-professional development work in an international and multicultural world. Savonia UAS art pedagogy strives to apply knowledge and skills in a practical, multidisciplinary and interactive manner.

## The ALIISA Project
The development of inclusive art pedagogy in international cooperation is the focus of the three-year Erasmus+ project ALIISA.

The background of the ALIISA project is the long-term cooperation between the Savonia University of Applied Sciences (SUAS) Music and Dance Department and the Kuopio Conservatory (KC) in the Finnish basic art education and the development of inclusive art pedagogy teaching methods, training and cooperation. In these educational institutions, both the possibilities of art pedagogy in promoting social inclusion and the need for skilled labor have been identified.

## Project Consortium
The project consortium includes:
*   Savonia University of Applied Sciences (SUAS) - Coordinator
*   Kuopio Conservatory (KC) - Finland
*   Vilnius University Šiauliai Academy - Lithuania
*   Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst Wien - Austria
*   Ich bin O.K. Kultur- und Bildungsverein der Menschen mit und ohne Behinderung - Austria

## The ACIAE Educational Model
The project’s international cooperation has produced the Aliisa Continuing Inclusive Art Education (ACIAE) educational model. This 5 ECTS continuing education program is aimed at general and art education professionals across various fields of arts and culture.

The ACIAE consists of an orientation, workshops, and a student-specific inclusive pedagogy practical training period. The curriculum focuses on art pedagogy, community work, or public education work.

## Implementation and Hybrid Learning
Piloting of the educational model began in the fall of 2021 in Finland, Austria, and Lithuania. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the project utilized a hybrid implementation method, combining on-site expertise with remote participation from trainers in Austria, Lithuania, and Germany.

Key aspects of the implementation included:
*   **Team Teaching:** Teacher teams consist of experts in music, dance and movement, visual arts, and drama, focusing on accessible and inclusive pedagogy.
*   **Hybrid Workshops:** Hybrid formats were used for workshop weeks in Kuopio (September 2021), Šiauliai (February 2022), and Vienna (March 2022).
*   **International Cooperation:** Shared online learning environments (Moodle) and remote connections facilitated international collaboration between student teams.

## Future Outlook
Starting in autumn 2021, students began applying inclusive pedagogical practices within their own working environments through internships. These practical applications and working life connections will be presented in the project’s final publications and events.

## Contact Information
**Author:** Hanna Turunen, Project Manager of the ALIISA-Project
Lecturer, MA, BA (music pedagogue), Culture, Music and dance, Savonia University of Applied Sciences
Email: hanna.turunen@savonia.fi