News from Art in Action

E-magination

Art in Action's Monthly Newsletter January 2010

Welcome to the Art in Action newsletter. Connect with current happenings at Art in Action, museum shows, local events, and fun activities for kids. Art in Action enriches children's lives through art.
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Letter from the Executive Director

All children need an art education as part of their basic school experience. In his book Can We Rescue the Arts for America's Children? Dr. Charles Fowler states, "The need for literacy in English language, mathematics, science, and history is critical. But this objective should not allow us to overlook the importance of the arts and what they can do for the mind and spirit of every child. Educational administrators and school boards need to be reminded that schools have a fundamental obligation to provide the fuel that will ignite the mind, spark the aspirations, and illuminate the total being. The arts can often serve as that fuel."
Visual art is the inspiration for writing creatively, illustrating science, documenting history, and constructing mathematical principles. The Art in Action Program helps teachers integrate the arts into their classrooms in a meaningful way. For example, history comes alive in 8th grade as students learn about the immigrant experience and then create their own mixed media personal narrative inspired by Chinese-American Artist Flo Oy Wong. Art in Action is committed to making art education a part of every child's school experience.
Judy Sleeth

In This Issue

Letter from the Executive Director

Save the Date: March 9, 2010

Curriculum Integration Websites

Welcome New Schools

The 8th Annual Diamond Awards

Art Makes Poetry Come Alive

Art Advocacy

Arts Integration Specialist Program

Third Grade Library Art Shows

Student Artists

Donate NOW to Art in Action

Thank You Salesforce.com

Volunteers Needed

Book of the Month

Gallery Highlights

Save the Date - March 9, 2010

Mark your calendars to include Art in Action's 2010 annual event, Atelier d'Artistes. This event will feature Bruce Beasley, an internationally acclaimed sculptor, as guest speaker, and honor Dick Sperison, San Mateo County Arts Coordinator. The luncheon will take place Tuesday, March 9, 2010 from 10 am - 2 pm at the Sharon Heights Golf & Country Club in Menlo Park, CA. For reservations and more information

Curriculum Integration Websites

The Great Depression - Insights into the effects of the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl; migrant workers; the New Deal and the WPA.
The Art of Romare Bearden - Take a field trip to see Bearden's monumental mural-collage commission at Berkeley's city hall.

Welcome New Schools

At Rancho Rosal Elementary School in Camarillo CA, Principal Sue Sigler encourages her students to be positive problem solvers and creative thinkers. She is excited to bring Art in Action to her eager teachers and students in 2010. At the Bhaktivedanta Academy in Alachua, Florida, parents and teachers can't wait to start using the program for their K-2 students. Thanks to art teacher Jennifer Nelson at Village Elementary School, a California Distinguished School and a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence in Coronado CA, students in grades 1, 2, 4, and 5 will begin using the Art in Action curriculum.

Peninsula Arts Council Brings You
The 8th Annual Diamond Awards

The Peninsula Arts Council's 8th Annual Diamond Awards will be presented on Thursday, January 28, 2010 from 5:30 - 8:00 pm at the Redwood Shores Public Library. At this signature event, awards are presented to recognize outstanding contributions to the arts in San Mateo County. This year's Honorary Chair is Alisa Clancy, KCSM 91.1 FM, Host of "A Morning Cup of Jazz".

Art Makes Poetry Come Alive

Write a poem shaped like a tree! Many Art in Action landscape projects are well suited for integration into a language arts lesson plan. Mount the poem with art project and proudly display in the classroom!

Branches
Shade rubber
fruit clothes
paper wind barrier fuel
furniture resources nuts
Tree houses maple syrup park
Multiple uses seeds oxygen
Lumber habitat energy
Building materials
Baseball bats leaves
Photosynthesis
Roots
Gum
Cork
Books
Paint
Coca
Sponge

More about how to write a Haiku, a cinquain and more.

Art Advocacy -
Art Makes All the Difference

Six Reasons Arts Education is More than a Luxury
Johns Hopkins University and the Dana Foundation brought together neuroscience researchers to discuss the impact of the arts on the brain. Jerry Kagan, a developmental psychologist, outlined six reasons that arts education is vital to educational success.
Click to continue
The Arts are Required Core Academic Subjects like Math and Language
"The arts are an essential component for a complete education, so our children grow up to be curious, creative, healthy, and well-rounded citizens of our state and the world." Muriel Johnson, Director, California Arts Council
Read more

Arts Integration Specialist Program

The first of its kind in the United States, the Arts Integration Specialist Program provides K-12 teachers and teaching artists in public schools the insight, understanding, and skills they require to provide engaging and effective art and arts-integrated lessons across all areas of curriculum and to advance professionally. This exciting program is presented by the Alameda County Office of Education.

E-magination is a monthly art resource for parents and teachers using the Art in Action program. To suggest events, submit articles, ask questions or give feedback, email us or call 650.566.8339.
Copyright 2009 Art in Action

Third Grade Library Art Shows