Press Releases
To request any agency publication in an alternative format, contact the Arts Commission offices at (602) 771-6501.Poetry Out Loud Seeks Participating Arizona Schools
More than $100,000 awarded nationally to students and schools in 2010
October 15, 2010 deadline for 2011 Arizona Poetry Out Loud participation
PHOENIX, AZ (August 16, 2010) –The Arizona Commission on the Arts invites Arizona high schools to participate in the 2011 Poetry Out Loud: National Recitation Contest, a free national program sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation. Poetry Out Loud encourages youth to learn about great poetry through memorization and performance, which help students master public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and learn about literary heritage. (more…)
First Arts Education Census Shows Arizona Schools Delivering Arts Education Programs with Few Dedicated Resources
Compelling New Research Reveals Arts Classes Not Weighted Equally With Other Academic Subjects
PHOENIX, AZ (July 29, 2010) – The first statewide Arizona Arts Education Census shows that many Arizona schools have found ways to deliver arts education programs with few dedicated resources.
Results from the statewide research show that nearly 90 percent of Arizona students have access to at least one arts education program, but that half of the schools responding to the survey reported no budget for curricular support in arts education and almost 8 out of 10 schools spent less than half-a-penny a day on arts education. (more…)
Arizona Museums to Open Their Doors to Military Families This Summer
PHOENIX, AZ (May 25, 2010) – Six Arizona museums will offer free admission to all active duty military personnel and their families from Memorial Day through Labor Day 2010, according to an announcement made on Monday, May 24, 2010 by the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Blue Star Families, a national, nonpartisan, nonprofit network of military families from all ranks and services.
“Arts organizations have traditionally opened their doors and programs for service men and women over the course of history,” said Arts Commission Executive Director, Robert C. Booker. “The Arizona Commission on the Arts is pleased to see these Arizona nonprofit museums participating in this program.” (more…)
Arizona High School Student to Compete in National Poetry Out Loud Recitation Contest
PHOENIX, AZ (March 17, 2010) - Elizabeth Andronic, a sophomore at Centennial High School in Peoria, was selected as the winner of the fifth annual Arizona Poetry Out Loud State Finals, a program of the Arizona Commission on the Arts in partnership with the Young Writers Program at Arizona State University. The competition, held on March 5, 2010, recognizes one high school competitor to represent Arizona in the National Poetry Out Loud competition, presented by the National Endowment for the Arts and The Poetry Foundation, in Washington D.C., April 25-27, 2010. (more…)
Thousands of Students Compete in State Poetry Out Loud Competition; Fifth Annual Arizona Poetry Out Loud Recitation Finals Announced
Phoenix, AZ (February 24, 2010) - The Fifth Annual Poetry Out Loud State Recitation Finals will be held on Friday, March 5, 2010 at 7pm at the Burton Barr Central Library. Students representing 24 Arizona high schools will meet in competition to determine the 2010 Arizona Poetry Out Loud State Champion.
11,000 high school students from across the state participated in the 2010 Arizona Poetry Out Loud competition, a program of the Arizona Commission on the Arts in partnership with the Young Writers Program at Arizona State University. (more…)
Composers Selected to Create Musical Scores in Celebration of the Arizona Centennial
PHOENIX, AZ (January 28, 2010) – Arizona composers Sy Brandon and James DeMars, and librettist Alberto Rios, were selected by the Arizona Commission on the Arts (ACA) to create musical compositions in celebration of the Arizona Centennial (September, 2011 – September, 2012). The musical compositions – one choral and one for concert band – will be made available for performance by a wide variety of musicians, including high school, college/university, community, faith-based and professional or semi-professional ensembles. The commissioned works will be celebratory in nature and reflective of the unique historical and cultural aspects of the state. (more…)
Workshops Offered for Teaching Artists and Arts Learning Professionals in Tucson
PHOENIX, AZ (December 23, 2009) – The Arizona Commission on the Arts (ACA) and the Tucson Pima Arts Council (TPAC) will co-host stART – Tucson, a professional development and networking opportunity to connect Arizona teaching artists and educators in support of lifelong learning in and through the arts on Thursday, January 21, 3:00-6:00 pm. Workshops, held at the Joel D. Valdez Main Library, will be followed by a reception and networking event at the Tucson Pima Arts Council, 6:15-8:00 pm. (more…)
6 Arizona Artists Awarded Arts Commission Project Grants to Create New Works
PHOENIX, AZ (December 18, 2009) – In December 2009, the Arizona Commission on the Arts awarded its prestigious Artist Project Grants to artists from across Arizona, practicing in a variety of artistic disciplines. Offered annually, these grants support the professional development of Arizona artists with awards of up to $5,000. (more…)
