|
Be Included in Next Month's Note!
Do you have something to contribute to next month's Note?
Email AEI Manager Erin Gough at gough@eplc.org to be included! |
|
Share the Network's Policy Agenda with your State and Local Leaders!
Read and share the Policy Agenda, here, and remember that your voice as a constituent is valued!
|
|
|
|
Pennsylvania Arts Education
Network Updates
|
|
|
Steering Committee Meeting
On , July 17, the Pennsylvania Arts Education Network held the first all day, in-person meeting of the Network's Steering Committee. It was an important day of discussion and planning for the future of the Network and how we can continue to best serve arts and education supporters across the state. A summary of what was covered that day is available on our website.
|
|
Crayola Joins Network Steering Committee
 Crayola, the Easton, PA-based art supply manufacturer and all-around supporter of creativity growth in children, has joined the Pennsylvania Arts Education Network Steering Committee this summer. One of Crayola's major initiatives is the "Champion Creatively Alive Children" professional development and granting program. They've created free materials to help teachers and principals to implement arts-infused education across the curriculum available here. We welcome another organization that shares our passion for ensuring authentic arts-making experiences for all of Pennsylvania's students to the Pennsylvania Arts Education Network.
|
|
Governor's School Alumni Network
The Pennsylvania Arts Education Network continues to search for Alumni of the Pennsylvania Governor's School for the Arts (PGSA).
If you, or someone you know, taught at or attended the Pennsylvania Governor's School for the Arts, please complete this form and share with others. We have been contacted by over 600 alumni already, and appreciate all of the help from former students and faculty in spreading this message.
During the next few months, it is important that Governor Corbett and legislators hear from PGSA alumni urging that state officials provide support to re-establish the Governor's School for the Arts during 2014. We will be providing support for PGSA Alumni Network members to deliver these important messages, but there is nothing so effective as every graduate of PGSA contacting your own legislators to tell them how important the PGSA experience was for you personally, and why other students should have a similar opportunity.
|
Keynote Speaker Announced for 2013 Arts and Education Symposium--Wednesday, October 30, 2013
EPLC and AEI are pleased to announce that Ian David Moss of Createquity and Fractured Atlas will be the keynote speaker for the 3rd Annual Arts and Education Symposium on Wednesday, October 30, 2013 at the State Museum of Pennsylvania in Harrisburg. Please share this flier and date with your friends and colleagues so that our conversations on that day are filled with robust and varied voices from across the state!
Agenda and Registration information will be available later this summer.
|
|
First Lady Susan Corbett
Announces 2013 Governor's Awards for the Arts in
Harrisburg
First Lady Susan Corbett has announced that the 2013 Governor's Awards for the Arts will take place in Harrisburg on Oct. 22 at Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts. This will be the first time the state arts event has been held in Harrisburg since 2002.
"Harrisburg has a dynamic arts community, and I am pleased the Governor's Awards for the Arts are returning to the city where they originated," said Mrs. Corbett, who chairs the Arts Council. "It's a tradition that the host community is named the 'Cultural Capital of the Commonwealth' for the day and this further celebrates Harrisburg as our state capital."
For more details about the Governor's Awards for the Arts, visit here.
|
|
CALL TO ACTION: NEA Funding Threatened in the U.S. House of Representatives
From Americans for the Arts Action Fund
On Tuesday, July 23, the U.S. House of Representatives Interior Appropriations Subcommittee approved its initial FY 2014 funding legislation, which includes a proposed cut of $71 million to the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). This would bring funding of the NEA down to $75 million, a low level not seen since 1974.
While the subcommittee bill includes a 20 percent reduction in total spending as a part of the House budget plan, the proposed cuts of 49 percent to the NEA are significantly disproportionate. The arts community recognizes the challenges our elected leaders face in prioritizing federal resources, but funding for the NEA has already been cut by more than $29 million over the past three years. These disproportionate cuts recall the dramatic decline of federal funding for the arts in the early 90s, from which the agency has still not recovered.
Please take just two minutes to send a customizable message to your Congressmen and women to express your concern about such a funding cut with this form from the Americans for the Arts Action Fund.
This is just the first step in an annual appropriations process, which this year appears to be heading toward a dysfunctional ending. It is expected that the full House Appropriations Committee will consider this legislation next week; however, as the Senate and the House have vastly different appropriations levels, it remains unclear whether this bill will reach the House floor or a final version will ever be completed with the Senate. A message from you now registering your concerns with your member of Congress would be well-timed to arrive prior to any possible next step in the appropriations process.
|
|
Legislature in Summer Recess
The Pennsylvania General Assembly is now in recess until September, and this is a great time for you to meet with your state House member and Senate member in their district offices.
Whether you do it alone, or you organize a group visit for parents, educators, and others, make an appointment and plan to tell your legislators why you support arts education in your local schools and what has happened in recent years in your local district that has enhanced or diminished arts education opportunities for students. In particular, if there has been any reduction in arts education opportunities and your district has said that a cut in state funding for your district has been the culprit, your legislators need to hear your concerns.
Your meeting with your legislators will also be an opportunity to express you support for the Policy Agenda of the PA Arts Education Network, and also to urge your legislators to join the Legislative Arts and Culture Caucus (or thank them if they are a Caucus member already).
Remember...you can make a big impact on behalf of arts education in your community and statewide, and you can identify yourself to your legislators as an ongoing information resource about arts education.
|
|
Opportunities for
Arts Education Professionals
|
|
Registration Open for National Guild Annual Conference
Online registration for the National Guild's 76th annual Conference for Community Arts Education is now open! The Conference will be held October 30 - November 2 at the Fairmont Chicago Millennium Park, in the heart of downtown, with pre-conference institutes on raising real money from individuals, arts education partnerships, and personal/professional renewal on Wednesday, October 30.
The early registration deadline is August 14. Register online today and save $65 off the regular registration rate for the main conference.
|
|
Leadership Conference Call for Student Performers
The PASA-PSBA School Leadership Conference is presenting the second-annual Student Celebration Showcase, October 16, from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. in the Chocolate Ballroom at the Hershey Lodge & Convention Center. PASA-PSBA is turning the spotlight on the best of the best of Pennsylvania's public school students. If you have an outstanding performing arts group or individual that you are proud of, from dance teams and jazz bands to orchestras and glee clubs, submit an application today, so they can showcase and celebrate your talented students. They are looking for energetic, entertaining student groups or individuals to perform for 15 minutes each as part of a celebration of public school students. Applications are due September 20.
|
|
Webinar: The Secret Every Parent & Educator Must Know to Propel Children on a Path to Success
On Tuesday, August 13, at 2 p.m., author, blogger and arts educator, Lisa Phillips, will share her seven success secrets that will help any child activate their artistic edge by using creativity and leadership. She will explain how harnessing creativity will help students learn the right skills in school, and better prepare them for the real world. For more information and to attend the free webinar, visit here.
|
|
PA Museums Accepting Session Proposals for 2014 Conference
The PA Museums 2014 Annual Statewide Conference will be held in Pittsburgh on April 6, 7 and 8, and will be hosted by the Senator John Heinz Pittsburgh History Center. The theme for 2014 is "Confluence of the Past and the Future ."
The PA Museums Annual Conference offers museum professionals an interactive forum for the exchange of ideas, professional networking and of trends in the museum field. The event is an excellent opportunity for professionals to reconnect and recharge as well as learn from colleagues.
PA Museums invites Pennsylvania's museum professionals and educators to submit session ideas for the 2014 conference that share best practices in advocacy, economic and community development, education, and cultural tourism as well as other areas.
Please contact Chrisoula Randas Perdziola, Programing Director, to request a Session Proposal Outline, for further information, or with any questions.
|
|
PAEA Back To School Activity Examines Civil War
The Pennsylvania Art Education Association (PAEA) is holding a special event at the Trout Gallery at Dickinson University that is just for art teachers as you get ready to go back to school. The current exhibit is: First Hand Civil War Era Drawings from the Becker Collection. Participants will have two hours to browse and learn about the exhibit while sharing wine and appetizers. Afterwards, participants are invited to go to dinner with the group. If you are unable to make it on August 14, the Trout Gallery will be holding another reception on Friday, August 30, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. with Harold Holzer, a leading authority on Abraham Lincoln, presenting a lecture at 4 p.m. The reception is free and open to the public. For more information, visit here.
|
|
Kennedy Center Art and Special Education Conference
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Office of VSA and Accessibility, is hosting a national conference "Intersections: Arts and Special Education Conference," on August 7-8. The conference will provide attendees with innovative and thought provoking sessions addressing an array of topics and emerging issues relevant to providing students with disabilities access to and engagement in arts educational programming. Leading professionals will present sessions at the forefront of practice, policy, and research at the intersection of arts education and special education. Over 50 high quality sessions will be presented in a variety of formats that will encourage and create opportunities for knowledge transfer and networking. Visit the event page on the Kennedy Center website for more information and to register.
|
|
Maker Boot Camp at Children's Museum of Pittsburgh
 From Monday, August 12 to Thursday, August 15, the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh is hosting four days of free professional development for teachers, librarians, and administrators. Participants will engage in creative processes with physical and digital materials, work alongside peers and experts, discover ways to implement making into your practice, gain knowledge and resources, join a network of colleagues throughout the region, and become a "maker." All materials and lunches will be provided. Apply here today.
|
|
Call for Papers: Technology, Policy, & Arts Education
|
|
THATCamp - The Humanities and Technology Camp
|
|
First Lady Invites Students to Enter Art Contest
 Pennsylvania youth are invited to participate in the 2013 "Lucky Dog Art Contest," which aims to illustrate why dogs are "man's best friend." The canine-themed art contest is part of "Second Sundays" at the Governor's Residence, a series of free events scheduled every second Sunday from June through September.
The winning artwork will be displayed at the Governor's Residence on Sunday, September 8 and will be featured on the First Lady's website. The contest is open to Pennsylvanians 18 years of age and under. A panel of five judges composed of leaders in the arts community and canine-related organizations will select the winning artwork for each age group. For more information, read here.
|
|
Video Series Showcases Students Without Arts Ed
In the many debates and discussions about public education, the voices we hear the least are those of the actual kids whose futures are at stake. In this video, 9 year old Primo explains what it is really like for an artistic kid at a school with no art classes or a talented student who struggles with high-stakes tests? This is the first of a five-part video series called "I Am Education: Kids Tell All," where five amazing kids tell their stories about their experiences in public education.
 | | I Am Education: Kids Tell All - Primo |
|
|
New Report on Arts Learning in the Digital Age
In July, the Wallace Foundation released a study by an Indiana University researcher who writes that digital technologies are offering young people new paths to engagement in the arts. The report, an unusual look at technology-based arts learning, describes the arts software and gadgetry that have emerged in recent years, as well as young people's media use. It also offers a framework for thinking about digitally-powered arts learning and details innovative efforts to bring technology, kids and the arts together. To read the full report, New Opportunities for Interest-Driven Learning in a Digital Age, visit our Arts and Education Clearinghouse.
|
|
Book Released on Impact of Arts Integration
|
|
National Report on the Humanities & Social Sciences Released
In June, the American Academy of Arts & Sciences (AAAS) Commission on the Humanities and Social Sciences released the national report The Heart of the Matter: The Humanities and Social Sciences for a Vibrant, Competitive, and Secure Nation, which calls for new investments and leadership to achieve three goals with the humanities and social sciences: educate Americans in the knowledge, skills and understanding they will need to thrive in a 21st century democracy; foster a society that is innovative, competitive and strong; and equip the nation for leadership in an interconnected world. There is much focus on K-12 education, particularly literacy, teacher education, and connecting schools with arts and cultural resources. For more information, visit www.humanitiescommission.org.
|
|
Network Coordinator Contributes to ARTSblog
Erin Gough, Coordinator of the Pennsylvania Arts Education Network and member of the Arts Education Council for Americans for the Arts, discussed the too-frequently-missed opportunity to educate aspiring teachers while they are going through their teacher preparatory and certification process in last week's ARTSblog arts education post. Read f here about the need for arts educators to be part of policy discussion every single day, not just when programs are at risk of being cut.
|
|
2013 Art of the State Exhibition Now on Display at State Museum
Opening with an awards ceremony on Saturday, June 22, the 46th Annual Art of the State Exhibition is now on display at The State Museum of Pennsylvania. Administered by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, the exhibition provides an opportunity to Pennsylvania artists for statewide recognition and exposure. Winners of the annual juried exhibition were announced on June 24 and Pennsylvania Council on the Arts chair, First Lady Susan Corbett, helped select this year's Purchase Award Recipient.
The next "Artists Conversation" will take place on Sunday September 8 as part of the Harrisburg Gallery Walk. Be sure to visit the exhibition during the museum's regular hours through September 8.
|
|
State Museum of Pennsylvania offers Free Lunch Hours
The State Museum iscontinues to host "Learn at Lunchtime" through August 30. Guests can enter the museum on Fridays for free between the hours of 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Learn at Lunchtime is also offering free tours. Sounds like the perfect time to see the Art of the State! For more information, visit the State Museum's website.
|
|
|
