Established in 2021, CREATE is a service-learning collaborative of faculty projects that connect Missouri State’s campus with the community to tackle red flag issues in arts and culture. Arts and culture are essential to every community, particularly in underfunded areas, the struggle to provide access to theatre, dance, and visual arts for children and youth is real. Other red flag issues in Springfield, Missouri associated with arts and culture include funding shortages and venue limitations. In particular, this story focuses on how faculty come together to address the issue of access to the arts and culture in schools through opera, dance, and community engagement.
CREATE stands for Capacity-building, Resources, Engagement, Access, and Transformation for Arts and Cultural Enrichment. Through this collaborative, service-learning students and faculty members across a variety of academic programs and courses work to: 1) examine and address funding challenges facing art and cultural programs, 2) address capacity to house arts and cultural programming within existing facilities, 3) to ensure that members of the community have access to arts and culture, and 4) opportunities for engagement and enrichment, and 4) increase the breadth and depth of art and cultural programs and opportunities for engagement and enrichment for the arts and culture for the community as a whole.
During the past year, and in some cases, the past several years, two Missouri State faculty members, Professor Azaria Hogans (Baggett) and Dr. Ann Marie Daehn, have come together to lead service-learning students in bringing dance and opera theatre programs to youth in Springfield Public Schools as a way to help address this issue. Through the CREATE collaborative, Daehn leads her service-learning students to immerse students in the Springfield Public Schools in musical theatres by exposing the students to opera in an engaging and interactive way, while Hogans introduces students to culturally relevant dance education through Engaged Dance Pedagogy.
By providing these types of opportunities for students in public schools, the CREATE collaborative, through faculty and service-learning students, fill a critical gap in arts education, particularly for schools facing budgetary and infrastructural challenges, while providing the children and youth with exposure to music, dance, and more.
Hogans sums the effort up when she says, “As dancers, we’re interested in humanity. We’re interested in community. So, it is actually a very natural fit. And there’s elements that we can tweak and change to meet the requirements and the goals and trajectory that we’re reaching for.”
Why this partnership matters
Many schools in the Springfield area struggle with limited funding and access to arts programs. Title I schools—where between 60-80% of students qualify for free and reduced meals—often lack the resources to provide consistent arts education. CREATE directly addresses this disparity by connecting Missouri State students with young learners, offering meaningful arts experiences that extend beyond the traditional classroom setting.
The partnership provides a mutually beneficial experience for both university students and K-12 students. Missouri State service-learning students gain practical experience in teaching, performing, and engaging with young audiences. Springfield Public School students receive enriching arts education that fosters creativity, confidence, and cultural awareness.
When reflecting on these benefits for service-learning students, Daehn says it like this: “I think it’s about keeping the mind open to possibilities, seeing problems, but then really spending time looking for solutions that can be enjoyable, bucket-filling, community oriented. Solutions that don’t just help the individual, but that help the individual grow with the community.”
Experiential learning in action
Engaged Dance Pedagogy
In the Engaged Dance Pedagogy program, operating since fall 2024, Missouri State students explore the fundamentals of dance education, including lesson planning, teaching philosophies, and culturally responsive teaching strategies. They then put their learning into practice by leading dance lessons – such as at Reed Academy – where middle school students actively participate in dance classes from service-learning students. This hands-on experience not only enhances Missouri State students’ instructional skills but also introduces young learners to new movement styles and creative expression.
Opera Theatre Outreach
Through the Opera Theatre Outreach program, Missouri State service-learning students engage elementary and middle school students in the world of opera and musical theatre. These performances and interactive sessions offer students a firsthand look at the art form, breaking down stereotypes and making opera accessible and enjoyable for young audiences. By performing in school settings, Missouri State students refine their stage presence and deepen their appreciation for the transformative power of live performance.
The lasting impact of the CREATE collaborative
Since its inception, the CREATE collaborative has had a profound impact on both the campus and the broader Springfield community. Approximately 64 service-learning students participate in the program, reaching 1,500 to 2,000 SPS students across the district. The benefits of this engagement are well-documented:
For K-12 students: Studies from the National Institutes of Health highlight the cognitive, emotional, and social benefits of music education. Likewise, the U.S. Department of Education’s Arts-in-Education program recognizes that dance instruction fosters academic achievement, strengthens language and math skills, improves emotional well-being, and enhances learning outcomes for underserved students.
“When performing for kids – they just have no preconceived notions. They know they’re getting entertained and they’re having a wild and fun time.” – Ann Marie Daehn.
For Missouri State students: Service-learning provides invaluable hands-on experience, helping students refine their teaching methods, stage presence, and ability to engage diverse audiences. It also reinforces Missouri State’s mission of fostering community engagement and developing students into well-rounded professionals.
“You’re not going to get out of college -for most majors, but especially in the arts – and just have something like laid out and given to you. You have to forge your path. So that’s part of the learning here too, is finding ways to make things possible for yourself. – Azaria Hogans
For the Community: The partners in this collaborative work to address the broader social issues associated with arts and culture as identified in the Community Focus Report such as funding challenges and capacity limitations, along with access to arts and cultural programs, including access to arts education. By integrating arts into the educational landscape, the CREATE collaborative contributes to a more vibrant and culturally enriched community.
A legacy of collaboration
Missouri State University and Springfield Public Schools have a long-standing history of collaboration, particularly through Missouri State’s Teacher Education program and other community-based initiatives. These partnerships extend beyond the arts, tackling issues such as public health, homelessness, food insecurity, and community development. The CREATE collaborative is yet another example of how the university is leveraging its resources to make a tangible difference in the lives of Springfield’s youth.
Looking ahead
The CREATE collaborative is now in its third year. Its growth underscores the importance of continued investment in community-based arts education. With two dedicated faculty members, 64 service-learning students, and thousands of young learners impacted, the program exemplifies how universities and public schools can work together to overcome barriers to arts access.
By providing students with opportunities to engage in dance and opera theatre, the CREATE collaborative not only nurtures artistic talent but also fosters a sense of belonging, creativity, and cultural appreciation. As funding for arts education remains a challenge, programs like this serve as a model for how institutions can bridge the gap and ensure that all students—regardless of background—have the chance to experience the transformative power of the arts.
For more information about each of these faculty and their work with Missouri State service-learning students follow the links to their stories:
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