Since its inception in 2002, the LA County Arts Ed Collective has sought to foster collaboration among the regional arts education community. For the first time, we now have data, visualizations, and findings about the social network of people and organizations the Arts Ed Collective gathers through social and collaborative spaces. Drawing Connections: A Social Network Analysis of the LA County Arts Education Collective reveals the connective power of the network formed through the Collective’s convenings and events. Based on data from more than 1,200 individuals and nearly 500 organizations across two years, the analysis identifies Arts Ed Collective partners central to the flow of information, resources, and relationships.

With insights that reflect the countywide Arts Education Blueprint’s call for deeper partnerships, this social network analysis underscores the Collective’s role in weaving together a diverse set of educators, artists, funders, and community leaders. These findings can support the Arts Ed Collective as they continue to cultivate an interconnected arts education community. A more connected arts education network strengthens the system that works to ensure that all young people in LA County have access to the arts.