About the Butler Community Arts School

BCAS Mission, Vision, Values

The Butler Community Arts School, an initiative of the Jordan College of the Arts, opened its doors to the community in September 2002. The mission of Butler Community Arts School at Butler University is to enrich the lives of those in the community by providing access to high-quality arts education. BCAS Serves as a dynamic catalyst for arts education and innovation, fostering creativity and cultural enrichment on Butler’s campus in Indianapolis, Indiana.

We Believe

Access to the arts is a universal right, not a privilege.
In the importance of providing high quality, affordable instruction in music, dance, theatre and visual art to Indianapolis and the surrounding area.
In the necessity of exposure to and participation in the arts regardless of age, race, religion, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, level of ability, or economic status.
In the vital provision of opportunities for Butler University students majoring in the arts to teach and interact with the community in order to better prepare them for careers as artists and teachers.

Teaching Artists

BCAS programs are made possible by the dedication of our staff referred to as Teaching Artists (TA’s). BCAS TA’s are composed of several groups of people:

Current undergraduate and graduate JCA students
- Some of our TA’s have recitals during the school year. Check out those recitals here! They are free, open to the public, and livestreamed.
Community professionals
JCA alumni

Each year, BCAS hosts an annual Teaching Artist training. During training, TA’s engage in clinics, lectures, and participatory sessions that cover topics in arts education such as supporting students with diverse needs, culturally responsive teaching, and the integration of social emotional learning models.

Our TA’s spend countless hours on campus doing the work to make our mission possible.

Community Partnerships

In line with its strategic directive to help Butler students discover a life of purpose and a greater sense of cultural responsibility, the university established the Butler Community Arts School (BCAS) as an arts education and outreach program. BCAS has active, year-round collaborative relationships with fifteen community partners, including public, private, and charter schools; community centers; and the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra. These partnerships include after school lessons (private and group) at community sites, joint performances and projects, and ongoing collaboration to promote arts education to constituent families.

Our long-term community partnerships have been successful due to a strong mutual commitment: 1) to serve youth in meaningful, substantial ways; 2) to provide high quality instruction with clear learning objectives; 3) to nurture the artistic and creative abilities of all children.

To explore a partnership with your organization, please contact the BCAS director, Lauren Shelton, at lwshelton@butler.edu.