Archive for January, 2019

h1

ArtWorks!

January 12, 2019

University of Maine campus

ArtWorks!, an art program for students in grades K through 8, provides children an opportunity to explore the world of art through hands-on experiences with a variety of visual media, the history of art, and the viewing of art works. The spring ArtWorks! session will run for five consecutive weeks with classes held on Friday afternoonsfrom February 8-March 8, 3:30-5:00 in Lord Hall on the University of Maine campus. The fifth week will be the Children’s exhibition held on March 8th.

Parents or guardians are responsible for their children’s transportation to and from the program.  Classes will begin promptly at 3:30 and conclude at 5:00 sharpFor safety, students will not be allowed to leave the classroom until the pre-designated adult has come to the room to pick him or her up.

Class sections are organized by age and/or grade level, and spaces are very limited. Acceptance into the program will be on a first-come-first-serve basis. A list of alternates will be kept in case of vacancies.

A $25 course feewill be charged for the spring session to cover the costs of materials used during the classes. The course fee must be paid on or before the first day of classes. Checks should be made out to the University of Maine. A limited number of scholarships are available.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: January 31

♥All ArtWorks! classes are taught by Art Education undergraduate students, under the close supervision of Dr. Constant Albertson. ArtWorks! is a lab school designed to provide future art teachers the opportunity to develop the skills necessary for success in their future classrooms.To facilitate this, we ask parents and Ed. Techs to stay outside the classroom during the ArtWorks!Sessions.  As this will be one of the students’ first formal teaching experience it is important that it be as realistic as possible. Your cooperation is appreciated.

♥  Art classes will take place on the second and third floors of Lord Hall. There is an elevator to all floors and the bathrooms are accessible. Art Education students will contact you prior to the first class to give you your child(ren)’s room number(s). If your child has particular learning needs or allergies, it is the parent/guardian’s responsibility to contact Dr. Albertson directly prior to the first class, and inform the art education student who calls you.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, contact Dr. Constant Albertson at 581-3251 or the Dept. of Art, Lord Hall, at 581-3245 or by e-mail: constant@maine.edu.

THE AFTER-SCHOOL ARTWORKS!PROGRAM APPLICATION

Please printclearly (this is very important!)

Student’s name:_________________________________________________________________________

 

Age:_______ Grade Level:_______   School: ________________________________________________

 

Parent or Guardian’s name:________________________________ Day Phone:____________________

 

Email Address:________________________________________Evening Phone:____________________

APPLICATION DEADLINE: January 31

Please make checks out to University of Maine.  Send applications to University of Maine, Dept. of Art, Lord Hall, Orono, ME. 04469-5743. Attention:  ArtWorks!

h1

Moxie Goes Artsy

January 11, 2019

2019 Moxie Festival Call for Art

It’s official!  Lisbon’s Moxie Festival Committee today issued a call for artwork.  Each year, the Moxie Festival Committee selects artwork to be used for t-shirts, posters, and branded items. The selected artwork will be consistent with the fun 2019 theme of “Moxie Goes Artsy.” The Moxie Festival committee selected this theme to inspire a “distinctively different” visual representation of the Moxie spirit, which by dictionary definition means energy, pep, and courage.  It’s also the official beverage of the state of Maine. The committee is seeking an artistic image as iconic as the beverage itself.

Festival organizer Julie-Ann Baumer said the committee is looking for submissions from Maine artists.  “We are looking for a unique look and feel for this year’s festival artwork, given the theme. There are so many amazing and hardworking creative people here in Maine. I look forward to seeing their work.”

The three-day festival, celebrated at the peak of summer with a parade, a 5k run, live music, and many other events, is a glorious homage to the distinctively different beverage, Moxie. The winning artwork will be reproduced on an exclusive and collectible T-shirt, posters, and other festival-branded items.  In addition to seeing their artwork proudly displayed on thousands of T-shirts sold and worn during the Moxie Festival, this year the winner will receive a $750 cash prize, media recognition, the first 2019 printed T-shirt, and the opportunity to judge parade floats designed and inspired by the theme.

The deadline for entries is Thursday, January 31, 2019 at 4:00 p.m. Winners will be selected by the Moxie Festival Committee. The winner will be announced on Thursday, February 14, 2019. Complete details and guidelines are currently both online at www.moxiefestival.com or at the MTM Community Center, 18 School Street, Lisbon Falls, Maine.

The Moxie Festival, celebrating Maine’s official soft drink, is always the second weekend in July. Mark your calendars for the 2019 Moxie Festival, July 12 – 14, 2019. If you have questions please contact Julie-Ann Baumer at jbaumer@lisbonme.org.

h1

Music Intern

January 10, 2019

Camp Mummichog

Damariscotta River Association’s (DRA) Camp Mummichog is looking for an Music Intern for 2 weeks – July 22 through August 2, 2019 to assist with our River Beats program. This program merges science, nature and music composition for children ages 9 to 14.

Salary: $1,000.00 for the 2 weeks. Daily hours are 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, weekdays. Some evening hours to complete work (music transcription) maybe requested. Housing may be available. The position is available for a music teacher or an undergrad majoring in music education.

Requirements:

– Has experience teaching children and loves doing so;

– Has experience with music transcription;

– Has experience playing an instrument or writing music, preferably at a professional level;

– Has a positive attitude;

– Is able to keep supplies, schedules and tasks in order;

– Understands music notation and basic string techniques;

– Willing to help with all camp duties of supporting children as they learn and play (most of it outdoors), including playing games with them;

– Work with Camp Director, Sarah Gladu and Music Educator, Will Healy of the NY Philharmonics Very Young Composers Program and ShoutHouse!   http://willhealymusic.com/ ) to manage program.

This program is a merging of nature, science, outdoor experiences and music composition (for string quartet who provides a public concert of the campers music the second Friday afternoon of the program at DRA’s Darrows Barn, Damariscotta. We spend one day on an island exploring and writing music. We also go kayaking during the program. To see camp description: http://www.damariscottariver.org/events-programs/camp-mummichog/  – Find “River Beats” session for specifics.

If you are interested please email Sarah R. Gladu, Director of Education and Environmental Monitoring at dra@damariscottariver.org, the following: a short letter about yourself and why you would like this position as well as three references (at least one of whom has seen you work with children) that can be called.

h1

Americans Who Tell the Truth

January 9, 2019

Syracuse University curriculum connections

Students preparing for their solo performance based on one of Rob Shetterly’s paintings.

If you are a Maine Arts Education blog follower you know that I’ve included a handful of posts on Americans Who Tell the Truth and artist Robert Shetterly. The last post Americans Who Tell the Truth in Syracuse included information on the 238 portraits of Rob’s that were on display at Syracuse University.

I followed up with Connie Carter who works with Rob visiting Maine schools who are using the paintings in multiple ways. I was curious how a higher education institute was tapping into this incredible body of work. Fortunately, it was a question that Rob and Connie asked as well and videos have been created on the topic. Raw footage for the most part that are posted on Vimeo can be found at the links below.

Steve and Rob conversing about the Solo Creations course work.

Jim Clark from the theater department at Syracuse University was interviewed and speaks very clearly about the power of the portraits for students in the creative arts and beyond. CLICK HERE to view the interview and use the password AWTTClark.

The second video includes an incredible interview with Steve Cross, professor of Visual and Performing Arts at Syracuse University. He teaches a required course titled: Solo Creations that uses the portraits to explore ideas about creating a solo piece. The video includes performances by a couple of his students so you can see the outcomes of the work with Mr. Shetterly’s paintings. CLICK HERE to view the interview with Steve and his students performances. Use the password AWTTCross. 

h1

Arts Accessibility

January 8, 2019

Complete a survey

Shawna Barnes is a Teaching Artist Leader (TAL) with the Maine Arts Leadership Initiative (MALI). She is reaching out to the Maine Arts Education blog readers to assist in completing a survey. In Shawna’s words…. has created a survey to collect information on accessibility and I ask you to take a few minutes to complete it so she can get a comprehensive picture As part of her work as a TAL she is collecting information and providing resources and opportunities for others to gain knowledge about accessibility to arts education.

Shawna has created an Arts Accessibility resources website and it is at the beginning of being an amazing website!

SURVEY

Hello! My name is Shawna Barnes and I am a teaching artist leader with MALI. My project for the year is to work towards and advocate for arts accessibility in ALL its definitions. I am a disabled Operation Iraqi Freedom Veteran turned artist and know the challenges I face when it comes to arts accessibility – especially as it relates to residencies. Truth be told, not many of the facilities are wheelchair or mobility impaired friendly. But that’s just one layer of this cake. That’s where YOU come in. I am looking for input from anyone and everyone who is touched by arts education.  Whether you are a teacher/educator, artist, occupational/physical therapist, caregiver or parent to a person with disabilities, home school coop, arts organization leader… I want to hear from everyone. If a question doesn’t apply to you, there’s an option to select N/A. This survey will be used to help inform my next steps in this project.  It will help me know where and what to focus my workshops on that center around developing creative adaptive solutions to help learners of ALL abilities. For more information or with any questions, please feel free to email me at info@shawnabarnes.com.

SURVEY

If you know someone who’s input I should have, PLEASE send them the link. It will stay up indefinitely. The more information I have, the better!!

h1

Maine Community Foundation

January 7, 2019

Over 600 Scholarships Available

The Maine Community Foundation offers more than 600 scholarships that support students pursuing studies in music, journalism, teaching, horticulture, technology, the arts, and many other fields. The scholarships are available for students who attend secondary, post-secondary, and graduate schools, as well as non-traditional programs.

A complete listing of scholarships available for the upcoming school year is now online at the Maine Community Foundation website, www.mainecf.org.

In 2018, the community foundation awarded nearly $3 million in scholarships to more than a 1,000 Maine students attending schools in the state, across the country, and around the world.

Adult learners also can benefit from a number of scholarship funds that help them navigate the road back to school. About 200,000 Mainers who started college never completed their degrees. The Maine Community Foundation is focusing on this group as part of its goal to advance education in Maine.

MaineCF is a supporting member of the MaineSpark coalition, a 10-year commitment by education, nonprofit, philanthropy, and business leaders to ensure Maine’s workforce is productive and competitive. Its goal: By 2025, 60% of Mainers will hold education and workforce credentials that position Maine and its families for success.

MaineCF’s scholarship funds are established for a variety of reasons, from honoring a family member to carrying on the tradition of “giving back” that helped an individual through college. To establish a scholarship fund at the community foundation, call Liz Fickett, scholarship funds manager, toll-free at 877 700 6800, ext. 2015.

Headquartered in Ellsworth, with additional personnel in Portland, Dover-Foxcroft, and Mars Hill, the Maine Community Foundation works with donors and other partners to improve the quality of life for all Maine people. To learn more about the foundation, visit www.mainecf.org.

h1

Commissioner of Education

January 6, 2019

Pender Makin

Governor Janet Mills nominated Pender Makin for the position of Commissioner of Education for the Maine Department of Education. Until the legislator approves the nomination Pender will be Acting Commissioner. Pender was a teacher at Westcott Junior High School in Westbrook, principal of the REAL School in Freeport and most recently has served as the Assistant Superintendent in Brunswick. She has been recognized for her work in education receiving the Milken Educator Award in 2001 and named Principal of the Year by the Maine Principal’s Association in 2013-14.

Press Herald photo by Andy Molloy

Quotes from the articles linked below from Pender Makin:

  • “Our work must start with rebuilding trust, first in the Maine Department of Education, and then, of course, in our schools, our educators, our administrators, certainly in our students,” Makin said, “and ultimately in the institution of public education overall. For too long, a negative culture has been crafted around public education.”
  • “Our work must start with rebuilding trust, first in the Maine Department of Education, and then, of course, in our schools, our educators, our administrators, certainly in our students,” Makin said, “and ultimately in the institution of public education overall. For too long, a negative culture has been crafted around public education.”
  • “The truth is that miraculous successes are taking place in our public schools and in our classrooms every single day and public education in Maine outperforms any reasonable expectation, especially given the magnitude of our responsibilities and the scarcity of our resources,” she said.

Sun Journal

Portland Press Herald

h1

Fulbright Teacher Opportunity

January 5, 2019

Teaching Semester Program – Deadline: January 15, 2019

The Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Semester Program for U.S. Teachers (Fulbright DA) provides an opportunity for K–12 educators from the United States to take part in a three- to six-month professional development experience abroad. Participants will pursue individual inquiry projects, take courses at a host university, and collaborate with colleagues on best educational practices.

The Fulbright DA Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government and administered by IREX. It is governed by policies established by the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Eligibility

  • Full-time K–12 teaching position, including classroom teachers, guidance counselors, curriculum coordinators, special education coordinators, media specialists, librarians, and gifted and talented coordinators and others who spend at least half of their time interacting with students
  • Five years of full-time teaching experience in the U.S., a U.S. territory or school associated with DODEA is preferred
  • Be a U.S. citizen, and reside in a U.S. state, territory or campus associated with DODEA
  • Master’s degree or enrolled in a master’s degree program
  • Demonstrated record of professional development activities and leadership

APPLY NOW

h1

Teacher and Educator Open House

January 4, 2019

Digging into Winslow Homer

You’re invited: Wednesday, January 16, 2019, 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., Portland Museum of Art, open house for educators!

Winslow Homer (United States, 1836–1910), Weatherbeaten, 1894, oil on canvas, 28 1/2 x 48 3/8 inches. Bequest of Charles Shipman Payson, 1988.55.1

Come explore Winslow Homer and ways to dynamically bring this iconic Maine artist’s work into your classroom! Discover ways to infuse lessons with Maine’s rich artistic history through the lens of Winslow Homer’s artwork, and through explorations of contemporary artists’ depictions of the Maine landscape. Featuring a talk with Frank Goodyear, Winslow Homer Scholar and Bowdoin College Museum of Art Co-Director, and in-gallery activities facilitated by museum educators and docents.

Click here for more information

Complimentary refreshments and classroom resources will be shared with attendees. Limited Free Parking is Available: Attendees will be able to park in the Holiday Inn By the Bay lot for this event.
Just mention you are a teacher attending an event at the PMA.

Click here to RSVP electronically today  or RSVP call Emily Junker at (207) 775-6148 ext. 3228.
h1

Lean In, Take a Chance, Be Bold

January 3, 2019

2019

What will 2019 be like for you? Will it be a continuation of 2018 or will you try something different, take on new ideas, be more innovative? Will you be brave and jump into an idea that you’ve been considering? Watch this TEDxVienna given by Kyle MacDonal who started with a red paper clip and met wonderful people. Open your mind and heart to being inspired!