Arts Learning: Newsletter

This online newsletter from ACA is published periodically and intends to provide you with current, important information from the field of Arts Learning and to support vital, substantive arts learning throughout the State. Please feel free to send your comments and requests for content information. We look forward to serving your arts learning interests and needs.

The Arizona Commission on the Arts is proud to announce the Arizona State Legislature approved a $200,000 increase to the Arizona Commission on the Arts, dedicated to supporting new and continued arts learning initiatives across the State of Arizona. As a part of these new dollars we'd like to introduce

Step into Arts Learning
A new pilot artist residency program intended to introduce schools and communities that have not received funding assistance from the Arizona Commission on the Arts in the past 3 years, with particular interest and support provided for rural and underserved student populations. The program provides funds and technical assistance resources for the design and presentation of standards based arts education programs by teaching artists. These grant dollars are structured with $1,200 for a mini program and $2,000 for a full program to cover fees for guest artists to present an artist in residence program, conduct professional development for classroom teachers or out-of-school program staff, present a community event and funds for supplies and travel. There is no cash match required of the applicant. For more information on the Step into Arts Learning grant CLICK HERE

Partners in Arts Learning
A new pilot partnership program for arts organizations. This grant supports programs that enhance the quality and access to arts based learning opportunities. Particular interest and support is given to projects that are sustainable, collaborative, create partnerships with one or multiple local school and community-based organizations and provide direct participation and access to quality arts experiences for participants and community at large and may also focus on or contain elements of professional development for staff, educators and/or teaching artists. Application Deadline: November 1, 2007 For more information on the Partners in Arts Learning grant CLICK HERE

Keep Arts In School.org
This website is born out of the belief that the arts are a vital component to every student's public school education--no matter where they live. It highlights the efforts of arts education organizations throughout the country, using the power of the web to make tools and resources available to those seeking to make the arts top priority in public schools and communities at-large. Parents, teachers, and arts education advocates can now quickly and easily access the tools they need to make sure that arts education reaches all students. Whether it be an example of how to write a letter to the business community requesting support, using the web to create an on-line petition or providing testimony at a school board meeting, Keep Arts in Schools is designed to equip individuals with what they need to make compelling cases for arts education.
http://www.keepartsinschools.org/

Instrument Matching Grant Program
Classics for Kids Foundation helps K-12 schools and community organizations secure high quality violins, violas, and cellos. We accept applications from U.S. schools or programs with nonprofit status that serve young people in grades 3 through 12. Classics for Kids Foundation uses its matching grant program to secure beautiful instruments that exhibit the highest craftsmanship, sound, and ease of playing, so that young students gain the fullest benefit and enjoyment from their instrument. Grants have ranged from $1,500 to $30,000.
For questions about the application process or grants program, please contact Classics for Kids Foundation at cfkids@classicsforkids.org or by phone at 406-587-8183.
www.classicsforkids.org

Office Depot/SHOPA 2006 Kids In Need Teacher Grants
are available to fund projects that make creative use of common teaching aids, approach curriculum from an imaginative angle, or tie nontraditional concepts together for the purpose of illustrating commonalities. Deadline: September 30, 2007.
http://www.kidsinneed.net/grants/guidelines.php

US Airways Education Foundation
Governed by a group of educators, community leaders, and US Airways employees, the foundation will award grants of up to $5,000 each to nonprofit organizations located in the markets served by the airline. Grant application deadline October 1 of each year.
http://www.usairways.com/awa/content/aboutus/corporategiving/education.aspx

Step into Arts Learning - New Grant Program from ACA
A new pilot artist residency program intended to introduce schools and communities that have not received funding assistance from the Arizona Commission on the Arts in the past 3 years, with particular interest and support provided for rural and underserved student populations. The program provides funds and technical assistance resources for the design and presentation of standards based arts education programs by teaching artists. These grant dollars are structured with $1,200 for a mini program and $2,000 for a full program to cover fees for guest artists to present an artist in residence program, conduct professional development for classroom teachers or out-of-school program staff, present a community event and funds for supplies and travel. There is no cash match required of the applicant. For more information on the Step into Arts Learning grant CLICK HERE

Llooking for a great way to introduce your high school students to poetry recitation? Look no further! The Poetry Foundation and The National Endowment for the Arts present Poetry Out Loud: National Recitation Contest. Poetry Out Loud is a pyramid structure program with recitations of poems at the classroom, school, and state level. State finalists go on to compete at the National Level in Washington DC in April. Opportunities include school residencies and workshops for teachers and students. State champions schools will also be awarded money toward the purchase of poetry books for their school. If you would like more information on Poetry Out Loud, contact Kim Willey Arts Learning Associate at 602.771.6521 or email kwilley@azarts.gov. You can also visit the Poetry Out Loud website for more information at. Deadline to register for Poetry Out Loud is October 26, 2007.

Mockingbird Art Contest
Win up to $500 for your arts classroom! Eligibility: Free to Enter-Open to students in visual arts classes that take place in schools of the Phoenix Metro Area (Valley-wide), grades 7-12. Prizes: Prizes are awarded to student’s art teacher for visual art supplies First Place- $500 Certificate to Arizona Art Supply Second Place- $250 Certificate to Arizona Art Supply Third Place-$100 Certificate to Arizona Art Supply. Theme of Contest: Artwork inspired by the book “To Kill a Mockingbird”. Winner’s artwork will be showcased at the West Valley Arts Council’s Big Read Kick-Off Event on October 27, 2007 at the Northwest Regional Library in Surprise.
Artwork and entry forms must be received by the West Valley Arts Council, October 5, 2007: office by 12 pm. Call or email the West Valley Arts Council for an entry form. Phone: 623-935-6384 or email: admin@westvalleyarts.org

National Art Education Association Award Program Individual Members, State/Province Associations, and Special Issues Groups may nominate individuals for NAEA Awards. Individual Members, State/Province Associations, and Special Issues Groups may nominate individuals for NAEA Awards.Deadline to apply October 1, 2007: For additional information in the NAEA Awards Program, contact Krista Brooke, Awards/Election Coordinator: kbrooke@naea-reston.org
http://www.naea-reston.org/awardsprogram.html

2007 Arts Conference - POSTER SESSION - a Call for Arizona Presenters
Pin the tail on the assessment: creating meaning at the intersection of the arts and assessment, Second Annual Arts Education Conference presented by The Arizona Department of Education. Arizona arts educators interested in presenting may submit a 2-page description of their practice along with support materials. A brief list of questions that should be answered, along with the checklist which will be used in scoring responses, is attached. These questions are based, in part, on the AZ Professional Teaching Standards: Standard 1, #1, 5, 6; Standard 3, #3; and Standard 4 #1-5. Poster presentation descriptions are due to the Arizona Department of Education no later than Monday, September 17, 2007. For questions and forms please contact Anne Trujillo, Administrative Assistant, 602-364-3740.

New Jersey Arts Education Census Project The New Jersey Arts Education Census Project is one of the most comprehensive efforts ever undertaken by any state to gather, evaluate and disseminate data regarding arts education in every public school. This site exists to broadly disseminate the census results and to provide comprehensive resources supporting arts education both in New Jersey and across the nation. http://www.artsednj.org/index.asp

A Revelation and a Learning Tool for Visually Impaired Students Through an experimental photography program in North Carolina, Tony Deifell co-taught 36 students how to point and shoot to capture their personal vision. Chronicle Books published the photographs in April highlighting the experiences and photographs of the students along with Deifell’s experience at the school. http://www.edutopia.org/sound-shadows-photography-visually-impaired

Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee Focuses on Arts and Music Education Huckabee continues to advocate the importance of arts education, emphasizing the need of the arts in fostering creativity in youth to lead a competitive economy. www.washingtonpost.com back to top

Studio Thinking: The Real Benefits of Visual Arts Education
By, Lois Hetland, Ellen Winner, Shirley Veenema, and Kimberly M. Sheridan, Foreword by David N. Perkins. This book features introduces the Studio Thinking Framework, which goes beneath the surface of visual arts education to discover what underlying cognitive and social skills are imparted to students when the arts are taught well. Illustrates the Studio Thinking Framework through the voices of teachers, photographs of students at work, and samples of art projects in different media. Suggests how teachers in all subjects can incorporate critique sessions in their classes to promote public, shared reflection and ongoing formative assessment. Offers researchers a tool to develop and test hypotheses about precisely which kinds of instruction lead to various desired outcomes.128 pp./ Paperback, $24.95, 978-0-8077-4818-3To order books, please call 800-575-6566 Or visit us on the web at www.tcpress.com
For exam/desk copy requests go to www.tcpress.com/info_desk.html#5

ART After School - A Successful Way to Reach Youth in Your Neighborhood
This training and reference guide provides helpful and practical information about establishing, teaching, and administering after-school arts programming. Authors: Jane Brite and Marlene Jaglinski. Book Info: 170pp, paperback (2001). Publisher: Community Arts Consultants, LLC
http://ww2.americansforthearts.org/vango/core/orders/product.aspx?catid=3&prodid=105

“The Creative Bridge: How the Arts Connect Parents and Schools.”
The September issue of the PTA National Magazine, Our Children, underscores a powerful argument for defending and demanding arts education: The arts build bridges that join teachers, parents, schools, and communities in a common commitment to student success.
http://www.pta.org/pr_magazine_article_details_1187038350421.html

Arts Education Conference: Pin the Tail on the Assessment
October 8, 2007, Creating Meaning via the Intersection of assessment and the arts. Join with your colleagues and the Arizona Department of Education for a day-long conference focused on arts education and arts assessment in Arizona. This year's conference will focus on assessment and the myriad of ways in which the arts are and can be assessed in the classroom. Who Should Attend: Music, dance, visual arts and theatre teachers, school administrators, parents, teaching artists, arts organizations and others interested in arts education. Cost $75. For more information or to register visit
https://www.ade.az.gov/onlineregistration/EventLocationSelection.asp?EventID=1113

2007 Afterschool Conference
Presented by the Arizona Center for Afterschool Excellence. Saturday, October 20, 2006, Mesa Convention Center. Participate in over 30 best practice workshops including site management, arts and literacy, behavior management, program evaluation and more. Scholarships are available. For more information visit
www.azafterschool.org

2007 Conference for Community Arts Education
Presented by the National Guild of Community Schools of the Arts November 8-10, in Los Angeles; Pre-Conference Institutes on Creative Aging and Marketing & Community Engagement will be held November 7.
www.communityartsed.org

31st Annual Southwest Arts Conference (SWAC)
Save the Date - January 25th, 2008 New feature this year, look for an Arts Learning Track throughout the day designed especially for arts educators.
http://www.azarts.gov/swac/