me arts ed

News Release

WINTER HARBOR:
The volunteer leadership of Schoodic International Sculpture Symposium (SISS), guided by founder and local (Steuben, Maine) artist Jesse Salisbury, is honored to announce the receipt of a $40,000 matching grant from the Christian A. Johnson Endeavor Foundation of New York. The grant, over two years, will enable SISS to continue to offer the Symposia by extending the support needed for two on-going part-time positions. The positions will provide a steady supplement to the work of volunteers and the fund raising that is required from each community invited to participate.

The full operating expenses for each of the Symposia total over $225,000, a sum that must be raised bi-annually from communities, grants, and donors. This large total need to offer a Symposium is independent of the funding which will be provided through this matching gift for the two part-time positions.

SISS has, since 2007, received area and national recognition for successfully involving Downeast Maine communities in the creation and support of public art that builds community identity and positively affects the intrinsic value of the arts, the contributions of Maine natural resources, and the economic and social benefits that follow.  Through its efforts, placement of large granite sculptures, accomplished by internationally recognized artists, are now sited in local communities (to date thirteen Downeast communities enjoy the beauty and benefits of these major significant works of public art and six more will be added in 2011).

The next iteration of the Symposium will now occur, as planned, in the summer of 2011. The 2011 Symposium will be the third in the series of five symposia over the decade.  In the letter of receipt of the grant it was noted by chairperson of SISS, Cathy Lewis  (Sorrento, Maine) that the Foundation’s grant will enable SISS to put into place a structure and two positions that are now essential to making possible the continuation of the Symposia, and to gaining the local support needed for sustaining them. To this end, SISS is pleased to announce that the required match for this Foundation grant for the two positions has already been achieved through the generosity of local community members who became aware last month of the opportunity for a match. In thanking the Foundation, Jesse Salisbury wrote: “Everyone in our communities can take pride in the sculptures, the local involvement and commitment of Downeast citizens, but also the overwhelming positive response and area ownership that has emerged for a project that exhibits the finest qualities of Maine through public art.  We express our gratitude to Ms. Julie Kidd, President of the Christian A. Johnson Endeavor Foundation, for her confidence and her generous gift.”

The SISS web page can be found at http://www.schoodicsculpture.org.  Support for the next (Summer, 2011) Schoodic International Sculpture Symposium( a 501c3 non-profit project) is  needed and is greatly appreciated. Gifts can be sent to SISS PO Box 122, Steuben, Maine, 04680. Thank you.

CONTACT:  Gerry Williams
207-667-5268, email: germarl@roadrunner.com

YAHOOOOOOOO for student artwork

Dayna's collage

As many of you are aware the Maine Department of Education’s Maine Learning Technology Initiative (MLTI) has provided a photography opportunity for students in grades K-12 by asking students to submit photographs of their artwork using any medium.  This is the second year this opportunity has been available and almost 400 photographs were submitted. In a blind judging, 19 pictures were selected for use on the screen saver as part of next years MTLI MacBook image. The MacBooks are provided as learning tools for every student and teacher in grades 7 and 8 and to many of Maine’s high school students and teachers.

CONGRATULATIONS to the following students whose artwork was selected

“All Star” by Lindsey Purpura, Yarmouth High School, Grade 11
“Aqua” by Kelly Normand, Noble Middle School, Grade 8
“Autumn Bliss” by Lindsey Purpura, Yarmouth High School, Grade 11
“Burst of Autumn” by Erick Schadler, Jordan Small Middle School, Grade 8
“Collage” by Nate Arbitrario, Lewiston Middle School, Grade 8
“Colour Me Beautiful” by Samantha Hall, Yarmouth High School, Grade 12
“Dew” by Jonas Oppenheim, Yarmouth High School, Grade 12
“Fall” by Emily Drummond, Grade 12
“Fire and Ice” by Adrian Baker, Freeport High School, Grade 12
“Flower” by Melanie Jackson, Bangor High School, Grade 12
“Flowers and Shadows” by Emily Gauthier, Brunswick High School, Grade 11
“Golden Umbrella” by Mark Lightbody, Middle School of the Kennebunks, Grade 7
“Lyrical Dance” by Dayna LaPorte, Skowhegan Middle School, Grade 8
“Rain Drops” by Sam Askins, Bangor High School, Grade 12
“Reflection” by Rachel White, Yarmouth High School, Grade 11
“Star” by Marie Jarowicz, Middle School of the Kennebunks, Grade 8
“Sugarloaf” by Catherine Pellegrini, Cape Elizabeth Middle School, Grade 6
“The Pool” by Kersti Bayne, Freeport Middle School, Grade 8
“Winding Road” by Maggie Ditre, Maranacook High School, Grade 12

Skowhegan Art Teacher Frank Chin and 8th grader Dayna presenting

On May 27th the students were recognized for their accomplishments at the 7th Annual MLTI Student Conference that was held on the UMaine Orono campus. One thousand participants, comprised of 835 middle and high school students and 165 of their teachers and parents from across Maine attended the conference. The student artwork was projected on a GIANT screen as participants entered the performing arts center. It was VERY COOOOOOOL! Please consider entering student photographs next year.

Participants spent the day learning about and sharing a variety of ways to utilize technology. Student Dayna LaPorte, 8th grader at Skowhegan Middle School who had an artwork selected for the screen saver and her art teacher, Frank Chin joined photo judge David Patterson and myself to present a session on the screen savers. Participants learned about the elements of a good photo, tips on how to take photos, how to upload the photo to Studywiz  and other details about participating. Hopefully all 20 workshop participants will submit artwork next year.

Karen shares a story

Some of you remember Karen Montanaro from her performance at the statewide arts education The Arts Connect conference in October at Point Lookout. Or perhaps you watched her at the 2007 statewide arts conference at the Farnsworth Art Museum perform her soccer skit. She is a remarkable dancer and person who is magic to watch when she is working with children!

Recently I received a note from her that shared an email from a parent and coach of one of the 4th graders she had worked with. He gave her permission to share the contents of the email. Sometimes folks wonder about “boys and dancing”. This will give you something to think about.

I have been a basketball coach for 25 years for a range of age groups. Most recently I have been coaching elementary school aged children in Lakes Region. I had the opportunity to come see a number of my young athletes perform your dance program last week @ Songo Locks, and I was very impressed. You did a wonderful job with the children and it showed in their performance as well as on their faces.

More specifically, my son showed a real excitement for the opportunity to perform. I rarely see that much enthusiasm in him anywhere except the basketball court. I would like to give him an opportunity to try some more dance.

Again: Thank you very much for your time with the Songo Locks 4th graders. It was a wonderfully entertaining performance and a great experience for them.

The search is on for teachers of the arts interested in teaching teachers!

We are so excited to share the news! The Maine Support Network has been awarded a grant by the MDOE to support educators throughout the state by creating and disseminating relevant and effective Open Educational Resources (OERs) that combine the Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) with content areas.  This grant is specifically to create OER’s using a professional development co-teaching model and share these with other professionals in Maine.

As a result of this exciting news, we are looking for Maine educators who are leaders in VPA and other content areas, for short-term work on this Title II-D grant. We will be selecting 5 teams of teachers (one VPA and one specialist from another content area on each team) to create a co-taught OER lesson.

We are currently seeking team members who

1. are certified and highly qualified in dance, music, theater, and visual arts, or another content area
2. have expertise in using learning structures that engage all learners, and
3. are experienced with online resources and the use of technology to promote learning.

Teachers will work collaboratively to create an OER that integrates VPA with a content area. Teams will pilot their OER, and then will share this OER with other teachers across the state as a model that will benefit Maine teachers and students in achieving Maine’s Learning Results. These OER will promote effective teaching strategies and allow teachers to have, at their finger tips, access to resources that promote effective learning strategies, and activities that lead to deep, connected, and rich learning opportunities.

The Maine Support Network (MSN) is renowned for its collaborative and supportive educational opportunities, as well as the use of Celebratory Learning in all of its events. MSN also provides a rich, collaborative, and supportive work environment for those who contract or work directly with the Network. We are collaborating with the Maine Arts Alliance for Arts Education.  This is a statewide nonprofit that works to strengthen education in all of the arts for all Maine students.

If this sounds to you like an exciting opportunity, we look forward to hearing from you! For more details please feel free to contact coleen@mainesupportnetwork.org or interested applicants should fill out a brief bio that includes interest and experience online at http://tinyurl.com/oerarts

POSITION DESCRIPTION

GRANT TITLE: Title II-D: Enhancing Education Through Technology

POSITION: 5 teachers who are certified and highly qualified in dance, music, theater, and visual arts(VPA), and 5 teachers with other content area certifications.  (5 collaborative teams will be chosen for a total of 10 members.)

PURPOSE: To develop professional development resources that are aligned to Maine’s Learning Results and that model effective integration of OER using Visual and Performing Arts and cross curricular content.  This unit/OER resource will support the infusion of technology to promote student engagement, effective teaching strategies, and rich learning opportunities that assist teachers and students in achieving Maine’s Learning Results. Additionally, this grant will lead to dissemination of these OER throughout the state through professional development opportunities.

“Open educational resources are educational materials and resources offered freely and openly for anyone tPo use and under some licenses to re-mix, improve and redistribute.”
Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_educational_resources.

GOALS:

1. To enhance the awareness of OER.
2. To create professional development resources that are aligned to MLR and that model effective integration of OER using Visual and Performing Arts and cross-curricular content.
3. To support statewide OER lesson implementation through sustained professional development.
4. To increase student achievement through the use of OER lessons.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE TEAMS:

• Work collaboratively to establish criteria for effective and relevant OER.
• Develop a co-teaching model that allows effective integration of OER using Visual and Performing Arts and cross-curricular content.
• Develop effective OER to be disseminated.
• Create an assessment model that includes pre- and post-testing and documents student improvement based on the OER.
• Attend face-to-face and online meetings, as appropriate.
• Present the team’s model to a variety of teachers in a professional development setting.
• Ensure that all timelines and reporting requirements are met.

STRUCTURE OF THE WORK: The work may include up to 4 in-person work sessions, with online conferencing and shared presentations as needed. OER will be developed by each team on their time.

A total of 5 K-12 teams of teacher pairs (1 representative of VPA and 1 representative of another content area) will work on their own time over the next year,  creating OER – Open Educational Resources – that support effective teacher strategies and promote student engagement and achievement of Maine’s Learning Results for each chosen content area. Each team will pilot and present their OER at a statewide conference using an agreed upon professional development model.   They will also share their model at regional workshops.

ANTICIPATED TIMELINE: June 2010 through June 2011

PAYMENT TO TEAM MEMBERS: All expenses (travel, lodging, subs) are covered, in addition to a $2500.00 honorarium for each teacher.

Applications are due by the end of the business day on June 10, 2010.

Are you addressing the learning needs of kids with the MLR’s?

Written by Rob Westerberg, music teacher Extraordinaire from York High School and a member of the Maine Learning Results revision team

One of the great joys of being involved with wonderful organizations such
as the Maine Music Educators Association is the opportunity to present
workshops or sessions at the annual state conferences from time to time.
Ironically, more often than not, you receive even more as a presenter than
those present as attendees.

I can’t speak for anyone else in the room on Friday morning May 21st, but it was a highlight of the weekend for me to join Argy in presenting the Maine Learning Results, State Rubrics and YOUR Music Program at the MMEA Conference at the University of Maine.

One of the concerns we have shared since the release of the Maine Learning
Results revision was the lack of followup necessary to clarify the document and its practical application for ALL of us in Maine.

Our workshop focused on three distinct elements. First, Argy shared an overview of the process which eventually led to the adopted MLR revision. Covering many layers of work done over nearly two decades, it is enlightening to understand the volumes of work that led to our present document.

Next, we compared the MLR for Music to the National Standards. A significant source of angst among music teachers has been in viewing the two documents as an either or proposition. The reality is that the two dovetail seamlessly and each profoundly supports the other. The MLR is a necessary improvement in that the standards apply to all Arts disciplines and they give a broader perspective that is far more applicable for practical implementation in the classroom for the benefit of ALL students.

Third, we had much discussion regarding specific concerns or questions brought up by attendees. We could have kept going with this long after our allotted hour over. In the end, it was hoped that the workshop served to reinforce the MLR as a powerful tool for curriculum development, 21st Century skills application and program advocacy. We fear that it remains a largely underutilized resource for us in Maine, and it was an exciting time for
Argy and I to articulate the possibilities inherent in using it as a living, breathing document in our school Visual and Performing Arts Programs!

Relationships, Relationships, Relationships

You’re invited to register for the upcoming R3 Youth Development Institute [R3 Youth Development Institute, “Relationships, Relationships, Relationships: The Key to Success in Schools and
Communities” (Formerly the Dropout Prevention Summer
Institute)] happening July 26-28, 2010 at the University of Maine in
Orono.

Plenary speakers include: Peter Benson, Karen Pittman, Dr. Gil G. Noam, and Karen Williams.

Over 30 workshop presenters will be sharing best practices, implementation strategies, and engaging youth in the process.

For more information on this exciting and informative Institute and to
register, please click here.

A collaborative effort of the Maine Afterschool Network, Maine’s 21st Century Community Learning Centers, Maine Department of Education, University of Maine Cooperative Extension, Communities for Children and Youth, and the College of Education and Human Development, University of Maine.

AGENDA
July 26:
8:30am-9:00am Registration and Continental Breakfast
9:00am-9:30am Welcome and Overview
9:30am-10:15am Plenary with Peter Benson: The Extraordinary Capacity of Youth (and our Shared Responsibility for Their Potential)
10:15am-10:30am BREAK
10:30am-11:15am Plenary with Peter Benson in Conversation with Maine Youth: Thriving, the Sweet Spot in Human Development
11:15am-12:00pm Plenary with Karen Pittman: Supporting the Whole Child: Bolder Strategies for Better Results
12:00pm-1:00pm LUNCH [Memorial Union]
1:15pm-2:30pm Session 1
2:30pm-2:45pm BREAK
2:45pm-4:00pm Session 2
4:15pm-4:45pm Reception / Networking
4:45pm-6:00pm Higher Education Session and District Council Session
July 27:
8:30am-9:00pm Check-in and Continental Breakfast
9:00am-10:30am Plenary with Dr. Gil G. Noam: Changing Schools Through Youth Development—What Youth Need in Schools That They Aren’t Getting and What We Can Do About It
10:30am-10:45am BREAK
10:45am-12:00pm Session 3
12:15pm-1:00pm LUNCH [Wells Conference Center] to include Nathan Eklund in Conversation with Boothbay Youth Asset-Builders
1:15pm-2:30pm Session 4
2:30pm-2:45pm BREAK
2:45pm-4:00pm Session 5
July 28:
8:30am-9:00am Check-in and Continental Breakfast
9:00am-10:30am Plenary with Karen Williams: The Neuroscience of Development
10:30am-10:45am BREAK
10:45am-12:00pm Continued plenary with Karen Williams: The Neuroscience of Development
12:00pm-1:00pm LUNCH [Memorial Union]
1:00pm-3:00pm Finish plenary with Karen Williams: The Neuroscience of Development

Haystack registration open June 1st

Haystack

Registration and workshop descriptions for the fall MAEA conference is posted  the MAEA site. Registration needs to be postmarked no earlier than June 1st. In order to attend you must be a member of Maine Art Education Association. For easy access to the information you can go to the MAEA wiki by clicking here. Specifically for the Haystack information please click here.

The fall conference at Haystack provides a wonderful opportunity to connect with art teachers from all over the state and to be in a creative environment that is very inspiring. If you’ve never been I urge you to attend.

Also available at this time is the electronic Spring Newsletter. Congratulations to Shalimar Poulin for a “job well done”!

Three Grants

1) Increase Graduation Rates Funding

America’s Promise Alliance and AT&T are looking for the energy, enthusiasm, creativity and commitment to help make this country a Grad Nation through the My Idea grants program. “My Idea” will empower young people to examine the high school dropout crisis and take action to help more of their peers to graduate on time – improving outcomes for themselves and their community.

National grants of $10,000-$20,000 will be awarded to 20 – 25 youth for the best of the submitted ideas to help increase a community’s graduation rate anywhere in the United States. Additional opportunities are available for young people living in Chicago, Houston, Indianapolis, Jackson, Louisville, Nashville, New York, New Orleans, Oakland, and Washington, D.C with grants of $500-$1500 to support targeted local projects. Applications are due June 11.

If you’re a teen concerned about the dropout crisis, consider, plan and propose an idea to help increase the graduation rate in your community. With the help of a supporting non-profit organization or school, you or you and a group of your peers, will have the opportunity to make a difference in your community! If you’re a youth service provider, this is a great opportunity to share with the high school-aged youth that you work with each day.  For more information please click here.

Learning in the Arts Grants (Deadline: June 10 )
The Learning in the Arts for Children and Youth category offers funding for projects that help children and youth acquire knowledge and understanding of and skills in the arts. Projects must provide participatory learning and engage students with skilled artists, teachers, and excellent art.  Learning in the Arts projects may take place in school-based or community-based settings and should focus on children and youth in the general age range of 5 through 18 years. After-school and summer programs are eligible, as are public and private nonprofits. Maximum grants are $150,000 each. For more information please click here.

Promise Neighborhoods Planning Grants (Deadline: July 1)
The U.S. Department of Education is accepting applications for a $10 million planning grants competition for the Promise Neighborhood program – an initiative meant to support comprehensive, community-based efforts to prepare youths from economically distressed neighborhoods for college and careers. Up to 20 planning grants of up to $500,000 each will be awarded. The competition is open to nonprofits and institutions of higher learning. The initiative will support up to 20 organizations with one year of funding to plan for implementing “cradle-to-career” services. The Promise Neighborhoods program will award one-year grants to support the development of a plan to implement a Promise Neighborhood. For more information please click here.

Mt. Katadhin traveling north from Route 95

While on my trip to Aroostook County I had a chance to make several stops. The Presque Isle schools were having their annual arts extravaganza at the mall. This gave me a chance to visit with teachers, hear students performing and see displays of art work from students in grades K-12. I also met people who are dedicated to outstanding arts education programs.

Dr. Beth Ann Miller and the middle school recorder students

The mall was jam packed with visitors that night and they were WOWED by incredible musical selections by students in grades 4-12. I commend the work of music teachers Dan Schneider, Pat Bragdon, Jay Nelson, Kevin Kinsey, Sherri Calhoun, and Beth Ann Miller.

Presque Isle High School sculptures

Sadly, Presque Isle will be losing music educator Dr. Miller who is moving to Chicago. She retired two years ago after more than 30 years of dedication to teaching but continued in a volunteer capacity. It is not often I get to hear a recorder group that contains middle school students playing the bass, tenor, soprano and alto recorders. We learned that they arrive at school very early in the morning to participate in the recorder group and they were fantastic!

The art work by students in grades K-12 filled three unoccupied store fronts. I applaud the work of art teachers Ellyn Whitten-Smith, Julie Nadeau, Jayne Tasker, and Ruth McAtee for an outstanding exhibit. The progression of artistic skills was very evident.

Mall Manager Patti Crooks and Art Teacher Ruth McAtee

Mall manager Patti Crooks is a number one supporter of arts education. She not only welcomed parents, students and friends to the extravaganza but she presented collages to Ruth Mcatee, Dr. Beth Ann Miller, and Dan Schneider who have been participating with students at the annual extravaganza for the last 15 years. Patti is a wonderful supporter and partner of the arts!

Ashland Art Teacher Sue Beaulier

While in Aroostook I spent a day visiting Ashland schools, arts classrooms and teachers. Presently, art teacher Sue Beaulier and music teachers Jon Simonoff go between two buildings and classrooms teaching students in grades K-12. The buildings are older and environments not ideal for teaching art and music but that is about to change. For several years the community has worked to build a new facility and their hard work is about to be paid off when their new building opens in the fall. I had a special chance to tour the facility that is not quite completed. The beautiful art and music rooms are across the hall from the 550 seat performing arts space. The community has never had a performance space that will certainly provide many wonderful opportunities for learning and linking the community with the school.

Ashland Music Teacher Jon Simonoff

While in Aroostook County I also had a chance to meet with the northern pARTners, a newly named group of art teachers who meet monthly. For years the Aroostook art teachers have met but this year with an official name. They share lessons, ideas and provide support to each other.

Mt. Katahdin driving to Washington County

I headed from Presque Isle south early in the morning hoping to see some moose on my way to Machias. I didn’t see any moose but it was the first time I had a chance to travel on that part of Route 1 and I was in awe of the beauty. I stopped a couple of times to take pictures but I am afraid my photos don’t tell the whole story.

Jude Valentine and Shanna Wheelock

While in Washington County I had a chance to visit with Jude Valentine from the TIDES Institute. Jude has recently written a grant and received funding for Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS) that will involve several art and classroom teachers. Jude and I visited Shanna Wheelock, Lubec Schools art teacher to learn more about the proposed closing of Lubec High School that will be voted on the end of June.

We are living in an interesting and challenging time with the economy. I am continuously inspired by the work arts educators do considering the stresses some are under with the present job situation. Continuing to communicate the importance and value of visual and performing arts education through student exhibits and performances is a key component to the educational process!

George Stevens Academy

Written by Carol Trimble, Maine Alliance for Arts Education Executive Director and member of the planning committee for the IIC’s

One of the many fascinating things about the Imagination Intensive Community Site Visits is how different our day is at each site. We visited George Stevens Academy in Blue Hill on the first day of its annual week-long, all-school Arts Festival Week.  The celebration (organized by art teacher Katie Greene for the past 30 years!) includes nearly 100 workshops in all arts disciplines from poetry to detailing a car, from weaving on an outdoor loom to hip hop, from jug band to filmmaking, from stand-up comedy to papercrete! And that’s not all—the Festival also includes performances and the annual creation of the “lawn forest,” where students work all week to wrap large branches in colorful strips of cloth and “plant” them on the front lawn of the school.

Our site visit also included several gatherings at the Blue Hill Inn with dozens of representatives of community organizations who help to provide rich offerings for students in the Blue Hill area: Haystack, Kneisel Hall, the Blue Hill Library, WERU radio, New Surry Theater, Bagaduce Music Lending Library…to name just a few.

Clearly, this is a community that recognizes the importance of the arts, where residents regularly participate in the arts, and where extraordinary arts experiences are provided for its students. One student said to me, “Our entire community is open and encouraging us to try things. Arts are not seen as an extra, but as something that should be there!”

What a joyous day we spent in Blue Hill!

The project is being conducted by the Maine Alliance for Arts Education and the Maine Department of Education. The project is supported in part by a grant from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, The Betterment Foundation and the Maine Arts Commission supported by the National Endowment for the Arts.