eNews - February 2010 Edition
From the Executive DirectorK-12 Arts Education: Every Student, Every School, Every Year“Providing a world-class education for all K-12 students in Washington is among my highest priorities, and research has demonstrated that learning in and through the arts contributes to a high-quality, balanced education for our students. Through arts education, students gain skills in critical thinking and creative problem solving, among many other 21st century skills that today’s employers require.” Governor Chris Gregoire
The Washington State Arts Commission’s long-term commitment to arts education is focused on increasing student access to effective arts learning programs. Our newly released research – part of WSAC’s Arts Education Research Initiative – shows both signs of promise and troubling challenges:
These findings and more are included in our new publication, K-12 Arts Education: Every Student, Every School, Every Year. Based on a statewide survey to principals conducted during the 2008-2009 school year, the report builds on relevant state and national research to assess the state of arts education in Washington state. The report also identifies attributes of effective education practices, offers strategies for improving K-12 arts education in Washington State – and includes terrific and compelling photos of Washington students engaged in WSAC-funded arts education programs.
The arts are defined as a core academic subject by both state and federal law. Yet in spite of strong policies and compelling research, many K-12 students in our state are not receiving an adequate level of arts instruction as part of their basic education. Closing the gap between arts education policy and arts education practice will require a collective effort to ensure that all students complete their K-12 education with a well-rounded education that prepares them to be successful for the future.
WSAC provides funding, training, research, and policy initiatives to increase student access to effective arts learning programs across the state. We know that only by working together can we ensure that every student – kindergarten through grade 12 – gets a well-rounded education that includes the arts. Let’s make it happen - and keep in touch.
New Artwork InstallationMarita Dingus’ larger-than-life Recycled Child greets students and visitors to the Harvard Avenue ground-floor hallway of Seattle Central Community College’s newly-renovated Edison North building.
The artwork utilizes a combination of hand-painted elements mixed with an assemblage of found materials. Recycled Child is adjacent to the recycling program; the artist worked with staff to assemble much of the materials for the sculpture and gathered computer parts from the Information Technology department, also located in the building. Dingus states, ”Recycled Child is a metaphor for the latent potential inside of ethnic minorities who are often discarded and undervalued.”
The art selection committee at Seattle Central Community College met six times over several months, first discussing broad criteria and potential sites, and then selected Dingus for the project. (The recommended criteria included “multicultural,” “addressing occupants,” “sustainability,” and “unique.”) Dingus then met with the committee to discuss her preliminary concepts and, based on their feedback, returned with a finished proposal in late 2008. During fabrication, she worked with the college and architect for the renovation project to select the wall color that now serves as a backdrop for her artwork and a lighting plan.
Artwork acquired through Washington State’s Art in Public Places program becomes part of the State Art Collection - a collection of over 4,600 works of art located at state agencies, public schools, colleges and universities throughout the state.
Articles and InformationWashington State Arts Commission (WSAC)WSAC is regretfully announcing the temporary suspension of the Governor’s Arts and Heritage Awards; due to budgetary uncertainty and staffing capacity we are unable to proceed with the program at this time. However, we anticipate presenting the awards again in 2011, as part of the celebration surrounding WSAC’s 50th anniversary! A new round of nominations will be announced in late 2010, and we anticipate all current nominees will be included in the review process.
NationalThe RAND Corporation has released an evaluation of an initiative to coordinate state and school district policy so principals have what they need to improve teaching and learning. Improving School Leadership: The Promise of Cohesive Leadership Systems finds that although cohesion is difficult to achieve, it can result in principals devoting more time to improving instruction. The study also details eight key strategies to build cohesion and describes factors that help or hinder it.
OpportunitiesWe are now accepting applications for First Step grants to support teaching and learning in the arts in public K-12 schools including: curriculum development and improvement, assessment development and training, professional development for classroom teachers and/or local artists, and workshops for students led by professional teaching artists.
First Step grants require partnerships between schools, parents, and professional arts education providers (i.e., arts organizations and/or independent teaching artists). Broader partnerships involving additional community organizations are encouraged. In all cases, program plans must be in alignment with the Essential Academic Learning Requirements (EALRs) in the arts. Deadline: 03/26/10.
Ethnic Arts Connection is a free one-day gathering introducing Northwest performing and visual artists working in culturally specific traditions to presenters from around the region. The event features juried 15-minute performances, visual art displays, booking opportunities and networking. Mark your calendar for a day of performances and networking on Wednesday, March 10 at Seattle Center's Fisher Pavilion.
The Seattle Department of Neighborhoods and a local community group are seeking an artist to design a 4,500 sq ft mural at N 46th Street and Aurora Ave N; a busy crossroads in Seattle's Fremont Neighborhood. The project was recently awarded a neighborhood matching fund grant. Deadline: 02/19/10.
Seattle's Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs is seeking an artist to develop site-integrated artwork for the First Hill Streetcar line, which will connect the Chinatown/International District transit station to the future Capitol Hill light rail station via First Hill. The selected artist will work with the Seattle Department of Transportation and consultants from the early stages of design through construction. Deadline: 02/22/10.
The City of Bellevue's Arts Program is seeking entries for Bellwether 2010: Art Walk, the 10th biennial sculpture exhibition. The Bellevue Sculpture Exhibition is expanding to include visual arts installations along a three-quarter-mile route through the heart of downtown. Deadline: 02/26/10.
The Port Townsend Arts Commission is seeking submissions of painting, photography, etching, monotypes, multi-media, wall-hung sculpture, and poetry related to water for the "Shape of Water" exhibit. Deadline: 03/01/10.
The United States Mint is inviting artists from across the country to apply to the Artistic Infusion Program. Artists must be United States citizens but may work from any location they choose. The United States Mint encourages applications from artists representing diverse backgrounds and a variety of interests reflecting those of the American people. This year, the United States Mint is seeking up to six Associate Designers to join the current designers under contract with the program. Deadline: 03/08/10.
Seattle’s Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs, in partnership with Seattle Parks and Recreation and Seattle Public Utilities (SPU), seeks two artists for public art projects at two new parks – Maple Leaf Reservoir Park and West Seattle Reservoir at Westcrest Park. The artists will be selected from a single pool of applicants, and each will work on one of the park projects. Deadline: 03/11/10.
The City of Shelton is seeking professional or amateur artists working in two or three dimensional media are invited to apply (PDF) to the schedule of gallery exhibitions at the Shelton Arts Commission Civic Center Rotating Art Gallery. Deadline: 03/12/10.
Chamber Music America has two Jazz program grant opportunities: Residency Partnerships support non-traditional residency projects between professional ensembles or presenters and community partners in rural, urban, and/or suburban communities; and New Jazz Works grants support professional jazz ensembles in the creation, performance, and cultivation of original work over a three-year project period. Deadlines: 03/12/10.
911 Media Arts Center has issued a call to artists for 2010 Artists Residency at the center. Artists-in-residence will have access to the center’s edit capabilities and video & audio equipment which includes digital video cameras, audio gear, lights, projectors, various video players, and iMacs. Deadline: 03/15/10.
The Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Arts Council is seeking submissions for its third annual Poetry Month Celebration. Selected poets will be invited to read at a special event during April, National Poetry Month. Winning poems will be displayed at the Shoreline Arts Festival in June. Poems will be judged in three separate divisions: Secondary Student (grades 7-12), College Student, and Non-Student Adult. Cash prizes will be awarded in College and Adult categories. Deadline: 03/19/10.
Grand Canyon National Park is seeking applications for an Artist in Residence. The Artist-in-Residence Program offers professional artists the opportunity to spend three weeks on either the North or South Rim of Grand Canyon in housing provided by the National Park Service. Deadline: 04/01/10.
ArtsNow, at Edmonds Community College, presents classes and workshops in the visual, performing, and literary arts—introductory classes for the novice to advanced techniques for the experienced, and workshops on the business of being an artist. Upcoming classes include: retirement planning, working as a photographer with nonprofits, and jewelry making.
Join hundreds of arts leaders and cultural professionals in defining new directions, celebrating innovations and uniting with new partners at the Washington Cultural Congress. Share your stories of what is working and dialogue with peers about how you and your organization are taking charge of change at the April 26 - 28 convening, Skamania Lodge.
The Longhouse Education and Cultural Center at The Evergreen State College has announced the fourth round of a national call to Native artists to submit letters of inquiry for two grant opportunities: the National Native Master Artist Initiative: Artist Teaching Artists Program (DOC), designed to promote Native arts and cultures within urban and rural Native communities throughout the United States; and the National Native Creative Development Program (DOC), designed to address the professional development needs of individual artists, such as training in marketing, purchase of supplies and materials, professional portfolio development, and apprenticeships. Deadline: 04/01/10.
Employment / Volunteer / InternshipsThe Office of Film + Music is seeking an intern for Spring 2010. Film + Music interns primarily serve a marketing/communications role and provide administrative support. The internship requires a six-month commitment and 30-40 hours of work per week. Prior background in film or music is not required, but candidates should have strong communication, writing and organizational/research skills. A small monthly stipend is provided. Deadline: 02/22/10.
EventsSeattle - Interpreting the Black Journey: Eight Viewpoints opens February 17 at 11:30 am with an artist reception and will be on display until April 15, 2010 at Seattle Municipal Tower on Level 3. Walk the trail from Africa to North America with seven recognized contemporary Northwest artists of African descent. This selected exhibition features engaging images of freedom, family and joy, and the struggle to regain them on two continents. The original art works incorporate a variety of styles and media, such as oils, acrylics, gouache, water color and mixed media.
Wenatchee - The Performing Arts Center is presenting Happily Ever After...a Cinderella Tale on February 16 at 6:30 pm. This Pushcart Players Production is an all new and enchanting musical adaptation of the classic tale.
Winthrop - Methow Arts is presenting the Wanderlust Circus on February 20 at 7 pm at the Winthrop Barn. Acrobats and aerialists, contortionists and clowns, magicians and musicians, puppeteers and pyrotechnics, the Wanderlust Circus combines vintage elegance with modern flare to create a 21st century spectacle worthy of the Old World. |
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