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MALI Mega Conference Oxford Hills

January 5, 2018

Registration is open

Registration is open for the Maine Arts Leadership Initiative (MALI) Mega Conference at Oxford Hills High School on Friday, March 23rd, 8:30 a.m. – 3:15 p.m! Participants will select 3 workshops from an offering of 15. Not only will the workshops offer great learning opportunities but we all know how much we learn when visual and performing arts educators come together to learn. The networking is always a critical part of the MALI Mega Conferences.

Schedule

  • 8:30 a.m. Registration begins
  • 9:00 a.m. Opening
  • 9:15 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Breakout Session I
  • 10:30 a.m. – 10:40 a.m. Break
  • 10:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Breakout Session II
  • 12:00 p.m. – 12:45 p.m. Lunch, participants on their own
  • 12:45 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. Artist Showcase with Amanda Houteri, Celebration Barn
  • 1:50 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Breakout Session III
  • 3:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. Closing

Contact hours

5.5 contact hours will be provided to those participating in the full day of the MALI Mega-regional conference at Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School.

 

WORKSHOPS

Bookmaking 101: summative assessment never looked so good!

Develop a creative book making project to assess your students’ authentic learning. Perfect for the end of a grading term, this idea can be tailored to suit the needs of you and your students. Impress your administrators with your ability to keep every student fully engaged in the assessment of their own work. Grades 7-12

Cindi Kugell Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School Visual Arts

Rhythm & Counting

Rhythm!! Is this one of the elements of music that you spend a lot of time on in rehearsal? How are your kids at sight-reading? Have you ever fallen into the trap of singing the part for your students? Are you clapping rhythms in class and finding that it sounds more like applause? Intended for ensemble directors, this workshop will provide a new approach to many based upon a tried and true method of counting and verbalizing rhythmic patterns. Grades 7-12

Kyle Jordan Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School Music

The Arts and Emotional Intelligence

Looking at ideas on emotional intelligence and leadership collected by Daniel Goleman we will identify the core elements of emotional intelligence and compare them with habits and skills practiced in the creative process. Be ready to create, journal and discuss ideas together on creativity, the arts and emotional intelligence. All grade levels and all content

Lindsay Pinchbeck Director of Sweet Tree Arts and founder of Sweetland School

Flexible Grouping Strategies for the General Music Classroom

It is the age of customized education and differentiated instruction. Chances are, your building administrators are looking for observable evidence of this in your teaching practice. Time constraints and scheduling difficulties can make customized learning a challenge to implement in the general music setting. In this workshop, we will discuss the benefits of flexible grouping strategies, and how to use them to your advantage. Grades PK-12 General Music 

Dorie Tripp Manchester and Readfield Elementary Schools, Music K-5

Tableaus of Courage: How to Help Students Engage with Complex Content through Theater

Ovations Offstage Director Catherine Anderson will introduce workshop participants to Ovations Dynamic School-Time Performance Series for 2018-19, and model for teachers how to help students engage with any story, or content (fictional or not) through the use of “tableau”. Tableau is a wordless theater activity for small groups of students that can be adapted for any age group. Participants will leave with a leasson plan with clear learning targets, and assessment criteria. All grade levels

Catherine Anderson Portland Ovations Offstage Director

SESSION II 10:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Choose One

Stars and Stairs

Stars and Stairs, Where am I now and Where am I going? How can the use of Stars and Stairs in your classroom help to inform you and your students of their learning progression and actively engage them in the learning process? This will be a round table discussion. Looking at your standards and your curriculum how can you use the Stars and Stairs model in your classroom.  All grade levels and all content

Samantha Armstrong Paris Elementary School and Agnes Gray School, Grade K-6, Visual Arts

Creativity

Everyone seems to agree that we need more creativity in education, but just what is creativity, and how can we possibly teach it? This workshop will answer both those questions (gasp…) With one foot planted in neuroscience, and the other dangling in the depths of the subconscious, we will conduct transformative activities (visual arts based) designed to enhance the “brainsets” that contribute to creative states of mind. Grades 7-12

Phil Hammett Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School Visual Arts

Improvisation Crusader: Improvisation as an Essential Musical Skill

Improvisation is commonly viewed as a specialty skill, and one that you either have or don’t. This presentation makes the case for improvisation as an essential skill, a naturally growth-minded learning tool, and an additional resource to address any number of Maine Learning Results, and to engage students and give them more ownership over their musical voice. This will be heavily participatory, exploring simple methods to more advanced, and using multiple musical languages/genres. All grade levels

Tom Luther Midcoast Music Academy, Piano, Digital Music, Music Composition Specialist, Teaching Artist, former Art Educator

Creativity and Taking Back the Classroom

Art can propel the next generation of leaders to make a personal connection to real world issues. In this workshop participants will explore strategies for helping young people forge a deep and personal connection between the environment and themselves. If our students are to have the courage to address the environmental challenges we face today, they must believe in the power of their ideas and know that they can create something tangible from them. Participants will make art that crosses subject matter boundaries and explore ways to design original curriculum that leads to action. Elementary and Middle Levels and Visual Arts

Nancy Harris Frohlich, Founder and Director, LEAPS of IMAGINATION

Integrating Curriculum: Making it Happen at the High School Level

Come join a conversation, share thoughts, and cultivate ideas regarding the challenge of integrated curriculum work at the highschool level. How can finding commonalities between subject areas motivate student learning, provide hands on experience with cross curricular connections, as well as benefit the educator as they become more proficient in the language of other disciplines? High School

Lori Spruce Brewer High School Visual Arts

SESSION III 1:50 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Choose One

Looking in the Mirror:  The Importance of Student Self-Reflection

Self-reflection is a crucial part in the cycle of learning for both student and teacher.  With regular self-reflection integrated in your classroom, students will become more aware, dig deeper, and take ownership of their learning.  This applies to us as teachers.  We will also discuss the importance of documentation and strategies of reflection upon our own teaching.  Information gathered about student growth, understanding, and feedback on units/lessons will not only be beneficial for the development of a curriculum, but also in providing evidence for teacher evaluations.  All grade levels and all content

Mandi Mitchell Hermon High School Visual Arts

Bridging Adolescence: A River Runs Through Us – Composing our Story

This workshop documents the progression of a year-long chorus project in which 7th and 8th grade students composed lyrics and music for an original performance piece. The project developed a model of integrated arts programming, including extensive literacy integration through working with a guest poet-in-residence for several weeks. The project also tied in hands-on classwork, a field experience, a connection with a wider community project, video diaries, peer critique, and of course music composition and performance skills. The workshop will give participants a hand-on experience of our project, as well as tools to create their own. All grade levels

Brian Evans-Jones Poet and Teaching Artist and Kris Bisson Marshwood Middle School Music and Chorus

All Aboard for Arts Travel, Full STEAM Ahead!

Interested in transforming your school into a STEAM based model? This workshop will include the benefits of STEAM for students, some sample STEAM lessons, and a suggested action plan for incorporating a STEAM approach into your school. Upper Elementary

Jenni Null Songo Locks Elementary Music K-6 and District Fine Arts Coodinator and Linda McVety Songo Locks Elementary Music K-5

 

Teaching Aesthetics and Criticism: Approaches to Standard D

How do we teach aesthetics and criticism in our Visual and Performing Arts classes? How do teachers design learning  experiences for Maine Learning Results standard D? In this interactive workshop teachers will experience methods for teaching aesthetics and criticism in the 7-12 arts classroom.  Sample lessons that teach forms of artistic interpretation to students will be shared as well as methods for critique.  The workshop is geared toward supporting the teaching and assessment of Maine Learning Results standard D. During the second part of the workshop participants will be encouraged to share their own approaches.  Participants will leave with tools that they can immediately use in their classes. Grades 7-12, adaptable for all grade levels

Bronwyn Sale Bates College, former 7-12 Visual Arts teacher

Inspiring Environmental Stewardship Through the Visual Arts

This will be a fun and informative program with practical involvement by all. All participants will have ideas to take back to the classroom and hopefully a reinvigorated perspective on their teaching with a theater focus. All grade levels

Andrew Harris Lecturer and Chair of Theatre, USM Department of Theatre

MORE INFORMATION is located on the Maine Arts Commission website.

REGISTRATION has been set up through Eventbrite.

If you have any questions please email Argy Nestor at argy.nestor@maine.gov.

Posted in assessment, Communication, Community, Creativity, Curriculum and Instruction, Dance, Food for thought, Integration, Leadership, Media Arts, Music, Opportunity, Professional Development, Research, Resources, Standards Based Education, Technology, Theater, Visual Arts, VPA, YAHOO | Tagged , , , , | Leave a Comment »

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Arts Executive Director Position

January 3, 2018

Arts Alliance of Northern New Hampshire

The Arts Alliance of Northern New Hampshire has posted their Arts Executive Director position. To apply, email cover letter, resume and salary requirements to AANNHrecruitment@gmail.com.  Questions may be sent to the same email address.

For the job posting CLICK HERE. 

DEADLINE January 30, 2018

OVERVIEW

This position provides overall management, planning, vision and leadership as well as oversight of all aspects of AANNH, including programs and services, finances, resource development, human resources, member services and communications. The ED works with the Board to establish and implement policies and programs and is responsible to the Board for the day-to-day management of all aspects of the operation, in fulfillment of AANNH’s mission.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Provide leadership and work with the Board to develop and strengthen AANNH as a membership organization following its mission and strategic plan.
Oversee all finances and outreach of AANNH, leading staff and volunteers and supervising outside contracts and partnerships.
Develop, coordinate, implement, document and evaluate year-round cultural programming.
Develop and maintain relationships with partners, businesses and members and serve as the lead spokesperson for AANNH.
Position AANNH as a vital regional resource on cultural issues, ensuring a consistent, positive presence in the media while developing capacity to convene and collaborate with multiple stakeholders.

YOU ARE

Creative, flexible, able to make connections and to think on your feet.
Interested in the big picture, yet willing to take care of the small details.
Experienced in nonprofit management, public relations, program development, education, volunteer coordination, grant-writing, financial management and fund-raising.
Energized by work on the creative economy, arts education, creative placemaking, arts and health and arts and nature.
A motivational speaker who believes in the core values of equity and access to arts and educational opportunities for all.
An articulate communicator with strong organizational skills and technology literacy and a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree or the equivalent (minimum 5 years in related field).
Seeking a full-time, year-round position in northern New Hampshire where you can make a difference in ensuring access and supporting the arts in local communities.

YOU MAY ALSO BE

A lover of nature and the outdoors.
An artist or fervent supporter of the arts.
An advocate for rural communities with an understanding of their strengths and challenges.
Knowledgeable about northern NH and its cultural life and assets.

WHO WE ARE

The Arts Alliance of Northern New Hampshire (AANNH) was incorporated 30 years ago as an unstaffed co-marketing organization for a group of professional arts presenters in the northern half of the state. In the mid-1990s the mission expanded to embrace the promotion of arts experiences for all residents and visitors to the region, and in 2000 AANNH hired staff and grew to include direct programming, with a strong focus on arts learning.

We are proud of what we’ve accomplished, but know that there is a great deal more to be done, especially in the areas of technology, social media, brand development and capacity building.

ABOUT THE ARTS ALLIANCE

AANNH is a membership organization that aims to infuse culture into every aspect of life in the region and to support the cultural needs of schools, arts and heritage organizations, artists, businesses, nonprofits, government and social-service agencies and individuals of all ages. All this work depends on partnerships.

SERVICES INCLUDE

• A monthly e-bulletin highlighting the programs offered by members around the region.

• Regional performing arts residencies — many of them with an emphasis on world cultures — using block-booking to bring outstanding artists to schools, out-of-school programs, senior centers, nursing homes, and community arts venues.

• Arts & Environment programs, including the annual White Mountain National Forest Artist Residency.

• Professional development programs, including our annual Write Now! conference and our Arts in Inclusive Learning series, in partnership with VSA NH, focusing on Universal Design for Learning.

• Arts & Health programs, including Experience/Arts programs for older adults, a partnership with Grafton County Senior Citizens Council.

• Consultation and collaboration on the development of Creative Economy, cultural tourism, community development and youth arts initiatives.

• Partnering on statewide efforts, including the NH Arts Learning Network, NH Creative Communities Network and the NH State Council on the Arts’ annual Education Partnership conference.

 

http://aannh.org.dnnmax.com/edsearch/Home/tabid/1324/Default.aspx?utm_source=Dandelion+Request+for+Info+December+2017&utm_campaign=NHALN+send+us+your+news&utm_medium=email

 

 

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VPA Specialist Postion

December 22, 2017

Maine Department of Education

JOB DESCRIPTION

This is professional services work involving regional and statewide implementation of Maine’s education standards for visual and performing arts education PreK-12, school improvement efforts and related education initiatives. The position provides PreK-12 visual and performing arts education leadership and expertise to organizations and educators statewide in curriculum, instruction and assessment through provision of professional development opportunities and technical assistance. The position may be assigned to lead other state and federal programs.  Work is performed in collaboration with other members of the Maine DOE and is executed under limited supervision.  Extensive use of technology, statewide/national travel and field assignments are required.

The position also serves schools and school districts within an assigned region through customer service, brokering technical assistance and providing a communications link for the Maine DOE’s continuous improvement process.  Primary responsibilities include developing ongoing interaction with school personnel and community representatives within an assigned superintendents’ region; serving as the Maine DOE representative and key contact for requests, information, and questions from within the region; providing or brokering professional development opportunities, technical assistance and other services to enhance teacher effectiveness and student and school performance; assisting districts with the implementation of the state education standards and associated assessments; promoting the Commissioner’s education initiatives within the region; and serving as the Commissioner’s representative and liaison in the region.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED

  • Knowledge of current learning research, exemplary general educational practices and PreK-12 visual and performing arts content and instructional knowledge.
  • Knowledge of community involvement issues in education policy decisions and educational operations.
  • Knowledge of school improvement, Maine DOE strategic initiatives, systems-change concepts, student centered practices, and tools to support learning especially in the area of PreK-12 visual and performing arts education.
  • Knowledge of large scale and formative assessment development and administration in PreK-12 visual and performing arts education.
  • Knowledge of current and emerging state and federal legislation, rules and regulations impacting education.
  • Knowledge of and experience with Maine’s education standards (Learning Results), the process of implementing standards and current and emerging trends for PreK-12 visual and performing arts including national standards development initiatives.
  • Knowledge of performance-based and standards-based educational systems.
  • Knowledge of systemic change principles.
  • Knowledge of computer software and hardware systems, including networking.
  • Knowledge of Total Quality Management concepts, practices and tools and productivity measures.
  • Knowledge of documentation strategies.
  • Knowledge of alternative assessment, developmental education and experimental learning.
  • Ability to facilitate groups and use exemplary interpersonal skills; establish and maintain positive collaborative working relationships; effectively manage multiple projects and provide quality service.
  • Ability to integrate PreK-12 visual and performing arts with other Maine DOE teams such as Special Education, Assessment and Accountability, Certification and Learning Through Technology.
  • Ability to assist organizations with systemic change strategies/organizational development.
  • Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing and use technology for work and learning.
  • Ability to write clearly and effectively in a team environment to problem solve.
  • Ability to use computer technology for word processing, data applications, telecommunication (email, webinars, faxing) and internet searches.
  • Ability to design and implement innovative approaches to school improvement and to student and teacher learning.
  • Ability to analyze and interpret research and data and to integrate divergent ideas to solve problems and make decisions.
  • Ability to apply and facilitate group dynamics and to use exemplary interpersonal skills.
  • Ability to manage projects.
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and customer service.
  • Ability to interact effectively with peers and customers.

 MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Licensing/Registration/Certification Requirements (please list):  Position in this classification requires a specific certification and/or ability to obtain a certification in visual and performing arts education. Additionally, a Bachelor of Arts/Science degree in Education, Human Resource Development, Psychology or a related field and 5 years of experience as an education practitioner. A Master’s degree in an education related field may be substituted for 2 years of educational experience.

BENEFITS

The value of State’s share of Employee’s Retirement:  15.12% of salary for BU positions.  The value of State-paid Dental Insurance:  $13.13 biweekly.  The value* of State-paid Health Insurance:

  • Level 1:  100% State Contribution (employee pays nothing):  $427.57 biweekly
  • Level 2:    95% State Contribution (employee pays 5%):  $406.19 biweekly
  • Level 3:    90% State Contribution (employee pays 10%):  $381.84 biweekly
  • Level 4:      85% State Contribution (employee pays 15%):  $363.43 biweekly

*The level of the actual value of state paid Health Insurance will be based on the employee’s wage rate and status with regard to the health credit premium program.

Code: 3032                  Pay Grade: 28 – $45,760.00– $68,556.80

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit a cover letter, resume, and Direct Hire Application. This job posting and a Direct Hire application can be found on the Maine DOE website at

APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED OR POSTMARKED BY

Wednesday, January 31, 2018

MAIL APPLICATIONS TO

Mindy Hansen, HR Generalist, General Government Service Center, 74 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0074. 207.624.7430 (T) 207.287.4032 (F)

OR EMAIL APPLICATIONS TO dafsdirecthire@maine.gov

 

Posted in Curriculum and Instruction, Standards, VPA | Tagged , | Leave a Comment »

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Excellence Celebration

December 12, 2017

Quite the celebration!

First Lady Ann LePage and the artists from Camden Rockport Schools

Twice a year the Maine Arts Commission and the Department of Education recognize student artists with the Excellence in Maine Visual & Performing Education. To celebrate the occasion, 89 student exhibitors have their work displayed at the Maine State Capitol Complex.

Westbrook High School Chamber Singers under the direction of Suzanne Proulx

On December 6, 2017 three school districts from Westbrook, Camden-Rockport and the Blue Hill region were recognized with live performances and a certificate ceremony. The event featured performances from the Westbrook High School Chamber Singers, directed by Suzanne Proulx, and the Blue Hill Middle School Band, directed by Bill Schubeck. Visual Art teachers whose students participated are: Blue Hill Region: Judy Park, Nick Patterson, Penny Ricker, and Rebecca Poole-Heyne. Camden-Rockport: Kristen Andersen, Susan Dowley, and Carolyn Brown. Westbrook Schools: Mia Bogyo, Abby Jacobs, Debra Bickford, Nancy Goan, Cheri Juniewiczc, and Melissa Perkins.

Blue Hill Middle School Band under the direction of Bill Schubeck

First Lady Ann LePage presented certificates to the student artists along with Martha Harris, Chair of the Board of Education and Julie Richard, Executive Director of the Arts Commission.

First Lady Ann LePage with students from Blue Hill Region (School Union 93)

Afterwards students, their families and their teachers scattered throughout the State House complex to view the art. The student artwork will remain on display until February 2018. View each student’s work and location that it’s displayed here.  More information about the Excellence in Maine Visual & Performing Arts Education can be found on the Maine Arts Commission Education webpage.

 

School Union 93 students visiting the Maine Arts Commission to view the student artwork

 

Posted in Music, Opportunity, Visual Arts, VPA, YAHOO | Tagged , | Leave a Comment »

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STEM Program Changing Arts Ed

December 2, 2017

Interdisciplinary connections

Renaissance Arts Academy was founded as a K-12 arts charter public school in 2003 in Los Angeles. The school has incorporated a STEM curriculum into its existing arts education curriculum and is helping students develop and understand interdisciplinary connections. This article called Songs about computer coding? It’s what happens when an arts school adds STEM focus, written by George White and published November 19 in EdSource shares the story of a music student named Zane D’Amico and how his learning isn’t what he expected as a cello player. The school’s STEAM curriculum includes students learning engineering and math skills to “build massive stages for the school’s dance, orchestra and singing performances. And he certainly didn’t anticipate joining classmates on stage to sing about the joys of computer coding.”

Learn more about the school and curriculum by reading the ENTIRE ARTICLE.

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MAMLE Conference

November 21, 2017

Middle Level Education

Recently I attended the Maine Association Middle Level Education conference at Point Lookout. I was thrilled by the number of arts education sessions that were offered and how many times I heard participants mention the importance of the arts. I heard: “the arts engage students”, “hands-on opportunities in the arts are so needs for young adolescents”, and much more.

Tammy Ranger providing the keynote

Keynote speaker, 2017 Maine Teacher of the Year, Tammy Ranger, set the tone for the 2-day conference with stories that paralleled The Wizard of Oz. Her presentation was very inspiring. (I hope to provide the entire keynote in a future blog).

Connie Carter and Rob Shetterly provided a workshop with information about the Samantha Smith Challenge. The challenge asks middle school students: “How/why can creative arts and writing inspire action on serious issues?” What a great opportunity for arts teachers to bring this important question to students. Learn more from the post I provided last week on the Samantha Smith Challenge. I hope you will consider participating with your students.

Kristen Andersen, Katie Rybakova, Allysa Anderson

Camden Rockport Middle School music teacher Allysa Anderson and art teacher Kristen Andersen were recognized for an Exemplary Practice Award along with two colleagues for a very successful integrated unit. Afterwards they shared the unit in a session. Congratulations Allysa and Kristen!

A team from the Middle School of the Kennebunks, art teacher Mary McCarthy and STEM teacher Evan Chase were recognized with an Exemplary Practice Award as well. Congratulations to both!

Both awards were presented by new executive director of the Maine Middle Level Association Executive Director Katie Rybakova who teaches at Thomas College.

Evan Chase, Katie Rybakova, and Mary McCarthy

Save the date for the 2018 MAMLE conference – October 18-19 – Point Lookout, Northport. Providing a keynote is musician, teaching artist Monte Selby.

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Arts Integration Workshop-Malawi

November 20, 2017

Lend your skills and travel to Africa, summer 2018

Are you a visual or performing arts educator or a teaching artist considering travel options during the summer of 2018? Are you interested in sharing arts integration methods in a small country in Africa? If so, consider traveling with Go! Malawi to the beautiful Ntchisi Village in Malawi to provide teacher workshops for local teachers. You might be the ideal educator to share your knowledge and make this the third summer that Maine educators have traveled to Malawi doing so. In return, you will be forever impacted by the experience.

In 2016 Lindsay Pinchbeck, founder and director of Sweetland School, an arts integrated school in Hope and Argy Nestor, director of arts education at the Maine Arts Commission traveled to Malawi and provided a 13-day workshop with 12 teachers from M’Pamila Primary School. The experience was so amazing that they are committed to continuing the program through 2020.

Go! Malawi’s mission is to collaborate with rural Malawian communities to develop sustainable programs in education, healthcare, commerce, and education. Read more about the teaching opportunity on the Go! Malawi site.

Read the documented story of Lindsay and Argy’s experience with a description of their program from July 2016. Contact us with questions or to obtain an application. Applications are now being accepted!

Posted in Community, Creativity, Curriculum and Instruction, Integration, Leadership, Opportunity, Professional Development, VPA, YAHOO | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment »

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Americans Who Tell the Truth

November 10, 2017

Samantha Smith Challenge – Register by January 15, 2018

“If we could be friends by just getting to know each other better than what are our countries actually arguing about? Nothing could be more important than not having a war if a war could kill everything”. ~Samantha Smith

Samantha Smith

Americans Who Tell the Truth (AWTT), partnering with Maine Association for Middle Level Education (MAMLE), and the Center for Innovation in Education (CIE) at Thomas College, is excited to launch the Fourth Annual Samantha Smith Challenge. The Samantha Smith Challenge (SSC), a dynamic educational program for Maine middle school students, promotes social justice through the arts. It is designed to build a bridge between the classroom and the world and to create curious, courageous, and engaged citizens. SSC projects teach students that, no matter what age, they can be part of solving the challenges and problems they see around them.

At the depths of the Cold War, when hot war between the Soviet Union and the United States seemed likely, a frightened young girl from Maine did something about that grim situation. Samantha Smith began by asking “Why?”. She went on to advocate for open communication and peace. A compelling storyteller, Samantha left us a legacy and an inspiring challenge: What can each of us do to make the world safer, healthier, and more fair?

Samantha was a narrative activist. By telling HER story she changed THE story-definitely a creative art! The power of the arts to deliver a message or to invoke action is indisputable. Americans Who Tell the Truth (AWTT) combines art and other media to inspire a new generation of engaged Americans who will act for the common good, our communities, and the Earth. Over thirty of the AWTT portrait subjects have used the creative arts to inspire action and are located on the AWTT website.

The SSC is about identifying important community and world issues, understanding them, and making a compelling argument in an effective medium. After doing extensive research and engaging community members and experts, student participants in the SSC will make their case for positive change. They may paint a portrait of a truthteller in their community, create a dramatic production or tell a compelling story about their issue, or write music that makes us feel braver and less alone. They may write an essay that makes a powerful argument for why we should all join in their effort to make the world a better place. Some students may choose their medium while others may be working in a specific class that teaches drawing or painting, theater or filmmaking where the teacher will define the medium.

The SSC asks, “How/why can creative arts and writing inspire action on serious issues?” All participants in this year’s SSC will gather at Thomas College on June 4, 2018 to showcase and celebrate their work.

Use the arts to showcase and bring attention to your issue, your findings, and your actions.  FOR MORE INFORMATION about the program or contact  Connie@americanswhotellthetruth.org. REGISTER by January 15, 2018.

Posted in Curriculum and Instruction, Food for thought, Opportunity, Resources, VPA | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

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Vinalhaven 2nd and 3rd Graders

October 30, 2017

LEAPS of IMAGINATION

LEAPS of IMAGINATION is an in-school art program for students in underserved communities. Our team of eight mentor artists interweaves art, literacy, science and mapping to create month-long projects with environmental sustainability and social justice as overarching themes.

Recognizing that art is a vehicle for teaching thinking, our projects support class curricula and empower children to participate in local and global issues. We work with children in their classrooms for two hours each morning twice each week. Envisioning programs that cut across disciplines, artists dovetail literature, environmental exploration, and artwork with student interests.

LEAPS of IMAGINATION’s MISSION is to ignite the imagination and inspire new ways of thinking so that young people can realize that their ideas have purpose and that they have the courage to act on them.

LEAPS of IMAGINATION was a Maine Arts Commission Arts Learning grant recipient this year.

Posted in Communication, Community, Creativity, Curriculum and Instruction, Opportunity, VPA | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

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Camden Hills Regional High School Fall Musical

October 28, 2017

In the Heights

In the Heights, the Camden Hills Regional High School fall musical, brings the vibrant community of a New York City barrio, where “Everybody’s got a job, everybody’s got a dream,” to the stage of the Strom Auditorium, this November.

The upbeat Tony Award winning musical production, created by Lin-Manual Miranda of Hamilton fame, will be presented Fridays and Saturdays, Nov. 3, 4, 10 and 11 at 7 p.m.; and Sunday, Nov.5, at 2 p.m.

Advance ticket sales for In the Heights are $12 for reserved (front section) seats and $10/$6 students and senior citizens for general admission. At-the-door prices increase to $15/$12/$8. Tickets can be purchased in advance online at stromtickets.com or reserved by calling 236-7800, ext. 3282. Email stromtickets@gmail.com for ticket orders and more information. The CHRHS Strom Auditorium is located on Route 90 in Rockport.

Through melodic songs, original rap lyrics, humor, and the driving rhythms of hip-hop and Latin music, In the Heights tells the story of a group of friends and neighbors, who share hopes and struggles, find romance, and dream of escape to a better place. Streetwise hipsters, big sound and high-energy choreography are bought to the stage by the singing and dancing ensemble.

On the hottest day of the summer, Usnavi (Eric Glaser) opens his bodega, to find his freezer broken and the milk warm. He invites the audience to his world with the original rap, “In the Heights.”

The sound crew for Camden Hills Regional HS’s fall musical IN THE HEIGHTS includes (L to R) Devon Lammert (junior), Noah Vix (junior), and Elias Porter (freshman). Molly Woodruff (junior) will also be helping the crew with the operation of the 20 wireless microphones used in the show. Photo: Marti Stone

“Now you’re prob’ly thinkin
‘I’m up on sh**s creek
I never been north of 96th street’
Well you must take the A train
Even farther than Harlem
To northern Manhattan and maintain
Get off at 181st and take the escalator
I hope you’re writing this down I’m gonna test you later
I’m getting tested times are tough on this bodega”

While Usnavi raps, he introduces the neighbors who stop by for their morning coffee, lottery tickets, candy, newspapers and, of course, gossip.

That morning, Nina Rosario (Annabel Parker) arrives home for the summer, planning to drop out of college after her first year at an Ivy League school. When neighborhood matriarch Abuela Claudia (Sydney Lytton), greets Nina as the future mayor of ‘Nueva York,’ Nina reveals that her year away from home was a failure.

As the neighbors go about their morning routines, Nina sings about broken dreams, and prepares to give her parents the bad news, in the soaring melodies of “Breathe,”

Hey guys, it’s me!
The biggest disappointment you know
The kid couldn’t hack it, she’s back and she’s walkin’ real slow.

Benny (Matt Nickerson), who dispatches for Nina’s parents’ cab service, takes to his microphone to welcome Nina home in “Benny’s Dispatch.” Vanessa (Isabelle Olson), works at the local hair salon, and dreams of moving out of the Heights, in the driving melody, “It Won’t Be Long Now.”

As the young friends look forward to a party with fireworks, romance and its complications take center stage. Childhood friends, Benny and Nina, fall in love. Nina struggles to see a future after losing her college scholarship, while Benny faces her parents’ disapproval of their relationship.

Meanwhile, Usnavi who hesitates to show his feelings for Vanessa, gets a push from his cousin and employee Sonny (Ruben Feldman) in Vanessa’s direction. The Rosarios struggle with financial problems, and Abuela shares a secret with Usnavi, that could change his life.

A power outage, a winning lottery ticket, and the loss of a beloved friend lead Usnavi, Nina, Vanessa, and Benny to discoveries about each other, themselves, and the place they call home.

In the Heights is presented by CHRHS in special arrangement with R & H Theatricals.

Miranda began work on In the Heights while a sophomore in college. A decade later, it became his first Broadway hit, earning four Tony Awards including Best Musical in 2008. He went on to create the Broadway sensation, Hamilton: An American Musical, which premiered in 2015.

Miranda was born in Washington Heights, in New York City, where immigrants from the Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic and Central America made their home. A common theme of immigrants struggling to find a better life, appears in both In The Heights and Hamilton.

A fundraiser for Puerto Rican Hurricane Relief will be held during all five performances. In September, the island of Puerto Rico suffered devastation during Hurricane Maria. Around the same time, CHRHS students were rehearsing the musical number “Blackout,” which closes Act 1, in which the barrio is plunged into darkness, due to a massive power outage. The poignancy of singing the words “blackout” and “we are powerless” while rehearsing In the Heights was not lost on Musical Director Kim Murphy. The local fundraiser was inspired by Miranda’s “Almost Like Praying,” a single he recorded with other Latino artists to assist with disaster relief in Puerto Rico. Like Miranda’s fundraising single, proceeds of the fundraising during the fall musical will be donated to the Hispanic Federation’s disaster relief fund.

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