The Arts Education Partnership (AEP), a national coalition of more than 100 education, arts, business, cultural, government and philanthropic organizations, has selected Jane Best as its new director. AEP is a national center within the Education Commission of the States with a mission to ensure that every child receives a complete and competitive education that includes the arts.

Prior to joining AEP, Best served as the chief strategy officer for McREL International, an educational research and development nonprofit organization, and as chief development officer for My Student Survey. She has served as an expert and researcher on education policy in a variety of roles, including as a senior policy associate for Learning Point Associates. Best started her career as a French and English language arts teacher, has a minor in Art History and obtained her Ph.D. in education policy from Vanderbilt University.

AEP serves as a partner to state policymakers by providing arts education research, reports, personalized support and opportunities to convene within states and across states to interact and learn from one another. The National Endowment for the Arts and the U.S. Department of Education fund AEP’s operations and are active members of its national coalition.

Established in 1995 by the National Endowment for the Arts and the U.S. Department of Education, AEP analyzes and disseminates research and policy information, fosters dialogue about what works in arts education and supports states for improved education policy and practice in the arts.