The forum on partnerships to improve teaching the arts was an outgrowth of earlier gatherings and of research to identify and respond to current challenges to sustain and enhance quality arts teaching. During 1999 the Arts Education Partnership convened a task force which concluded that improved teaching hinges on collaborations among three key sectors engaged in the preparation and strengthening of the arts teaching force: (1) colleges and universities; (2) public education systems at the state and local levels; and (3) arts and cultural organizations. The focus of the forum was on the practices of educational partnerships in five areas: (1) pre-service education; (2) professional development; (3) engaging leadership; (4) documenting impact; and (5) sustaining the partnerships. Thirteen exemplary partnerships were invited to attend the forum. Each partnership was asked to bring to the forum a team that included a representative from higher education, from a local school district, and from participating arts and cultural organizations. This report on the forum contains five sections: (1) "Preface"; (2) "Introduction"; (3) "Challenges"; (4) "Best Practices and Strategies for Success"; and (5) "Action Recommendations." Appended are references (n=20) and partnership descriptions. (BT)