Excellence:

• Do be cautious when using research to support the misrepresented trope that participation in the arts improves academic performance.  This has since been found to be somewhat incorrect.  Although academic performance is higher amongst students involved in the arts, this is attributed to socioeconomic status moreso than participation in the arts and participation costs money or requires living in a school district that can afford the arts.  These students typically perform better because they will have had better access in their lives compared to their underserved counterparts.  

Impact:

• How might the organization expand its offerings to broaden its demographic base?
• The impact narrative is light on details.  Panelists need to see concrete numbers of local economic development and how the students involved are benefitted (same with the local community).
• M/P:The plan is sound, but specifics are needed.  How many direct-mail campaigns, how many digital campaigns, how many social medial likes/followers/post reach? Etc.

Management:

• Excellent job returning and evaluation the 5-year plan.