Teaching Artists Residencies During Covid

Possible and yes, happening!

In December 2020 Martha Piscuskas, director of Arts Education at the Maine Arts Commission (MAC), moderated a discussion with teaching artists and a middle schooler called School Arts Residencies During COVID? Yes We Can! Included in the discussion were teaching artists: Bridget Matros, Alicia Phelps, Tim Christensen, and Dana Lagawiec with student Theo Forcier, Mt. Ararat Middle School. They discussed keys to success for remote school artist residencies and what they’re doing during the pandemic to further connections and learning opportunities for Maine learners.

The webinar was recorded and archived on YouTube and can be viewed below. The video opens with Martha sharing a land acknowledgment. Bridget Matros (starts at 4:30) is the Kids & Family Outreach Manager at Waterfall Arts and she is in the middle of a residency in Brunswick provided by the well established Arts Are Elementary program. She shares the set up in how she is teaching multiple learners in more than one space at one time. Alicia Phelps (starts at 12:00) teaches piano and voice and is Director of Community Partnerships and Special Programs at the community music center in Yarmouth, 317 Main. She is a recipient of a MAC grant. Tim is a ceramic artist (starts at 22:00) and became a Teaching Artist Leader with MAC’s Maine Arts Leadership Initiative (MALI) in Phase 6, 2016-17. Dana (starts at 31:15) does creative theater and became a Teaching Artist Leader with MALI Phase 7, 2017-18. The session finishes with circus artist MALI Phase 6, 2016-17 MALI Teaching Artist Brigid Rankowski monitoring questions. During the summer of 2020 MALI transformed into Maine Arts Education Partners in Leadership (MAEPL). Tim, Dana, Bridget, and Brigid are on the Maine Arts Commission Teaching Artist Roster.

RESOURCES FROM THE WEBINAR

• Handout: Tips for Remote Residencies compiled by Bridget Matros, attached and here.
• Land Acknowledgement: USDAC, the United States Department of Arts and Culture (no connection to the US government), has a great guide  https://usdac.us/nativeland.
• 317 Main Soundcloud –https://soundcloud.com/user-83776051-760585697.
• Wizard of Oz Promo for the remote school play at Bowdoinham Community School:  https://youtu.be/fTGEpcjY1c8.
• Tim Christensen website https://www.timchristensenporcelain.com/
•  Arts Are Elementary website https://www.artsareelementary.org/
• Compiled Resource List: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1oh9o22SOECy-1Y1PV2XHU_McFK_6rcD2h_GSeIHrpI4/edit#gid=0

MAC has the following education specific grants available with a deadline of April 1, 2021. Learn more by clicking on the grant title. Arts Learning, Creative Aging, Dance Education. If you have any questions please contact Martha at Martha.Piscuskas@maine.gov.

Two Job Openings

317 Main Community Music Center, Yarmouth

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS AND SPECIAL PROGRAMS

Position Summary

317 Main Community Music Center (317 Main) provides music education and enrichment activities through tuition-based programs at its studios in Yarmouth, free music education in the greater- Portland area through grant-funded partnership programs, and a variety of events, camps, and festivals throughout the year. 317 Main is looking for a music education professional to direct and lead our community partnership programs, summer camps, and other special programs including the annual HenryFest.

Position Description

The Director of Community Partnerships and Special Programs will be a key member of 317 Main’s music education administrative team and will work closely with the Director of Music Education, teaching artists, partner organizations, and the community. The specific areas of responsibility include the following:

Community Partnerships

Work with area schools, libraries, and other community service organizations to develop and implement mission-based programs that are accessible and relevant and are targeted to populations experiencing financial, geographic, and other barriers to participating in music education. These grant- and partner-funded programs are free to the students. Most students are elementary through high school age, but we also offer programming for adults and families. The key responsibilities include:

• Work with the Director of Music Education to develop and implement program curricula that is applicable and relevant to the population(s) being served;
• Maintain relationships with current/former partners with a focus on mission-based sustainability and compatibility;
• Identify new community partners based on intersection of mission and opportunity;
• Recruit/hire/train teaching artists to lead the programs;
• Train/manage program volunteers;
• Develop individual partner program plans that include scope, schedule, budget, and evaluation criteria;
• Manage instrument and equipment inventory;
• Work closely with the 317 Main Director of Music Education, Director of Development, andDirector of Marketing/Communications to support grant-writing/reporting and general communications regarding the partnership program(s);
• Participate on the 317 Main Programming Committee; and
• Develop annual Community Partnership Program budget and track/report on progress of the budget through the year.Summer Camps317 Main currently offers summer day-camp opportunities for children ages 6-10 (Discovery Camp) and ages 10-15 (Jam Camp). The camps are each one-week long and are designed to meet every child where they are, combining summer fun with quality music education. The Discovery Camps provide an introduction to a variety of instruments (e.g., ukulele, violin, piano, pennywhistle) and Jam Camp emphasizes ensemble play. Each session culminates in a celebratory and informal performance for family and friends. Responsibilities associated with running summer camps include:

• Work with Director of Music Education to design annual camp structure and curricula;
• Hire/train teaching artists and student junior counselors to teach/support camp;
• Develop annual camp budget for approval with the Business Manager;
• Coordinate with the Director of Marketing/Communications on the development and dissemination of marketing strategy and promotional materials; and
• Management, oversight, and administration of all camp activities and responsibilities during each camp session.HenryFest
  

  Henryfest Dancing

  HenryFest is 317 Main’s annual Community Music & Dance Festival where we invite the community to come and spend the day with us at this family-friendly outdoor festival at Skyline Farm in North Yarmouth. The Festival includes a main stage for music performance, music and dance workshops designed for all ages and abilities, children’s activities, an instrument discovery tent, lawn games, local food trucks, craft beer, and homemade pie. The responsibilities for HenryFest include:

• Developing an annual budget for HenryFest;
• Working with the Director of Music Education to plan for and book performers for the Main Stage and workshop tents;
• Procuring key elements of the festival infrastructure (tents, food/drink vendors, sound, etc.);
• Recruiting/training a Volunteer Coordinator, and support the recruitment of volunteers; and
• Management of pre-, day-of, and post-festival activities including set-up, break-down, and coordination with the owner of Skyline Farm.Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in music education (preferred), music performance or comparable;
• Administrative experience including budget development, program management, management of people, and other leadership skills;
• Ability/desire to be part of a team in a fast-paced environment;
• Computer skills include knowledge/experience with word processing, database, and other communication tools.The Director of Community Partnerships and Special Programs is a year-round, 32hr/week salaried position eligible for benefits. This position may be combined with an active schedule as a 317 Main Teaching Artist (compensated at 317 Main Teaching Artist rates)To Apply

  Please email your current resume with a cover letter to apply@317main.org. It will be helpful if your cover letter indicates how your professional interests and qualifications are a good match with the position and the 317 Main Community Music Center’s mission to encourage creative expression, personal growth, and community connection through music. To apply by mail, please send to: 317 Main Community Music Center, 317 Main Street, Yarmouth, ME 04096.

LITTLE ROOTS PROGRAM COORDINATOR Early Childhood Music Education / Part-time 

Position Summary

317 Main’s Little Roots program is an important part of the 317 Main curriculum and continuum. We are looking for an experienced and energetic early childhood education professional to coordinate the continued growth and development of 317 Main’s Little Roots program.

317 Main’s Little Roots Program Coordinator will work closely with the Director of Music Education, Little Roots teaching artists, administrative staff, and the 317 Main community to facilitate the Little Roots early childhood (ages 0-6) music education programs and services at 317 Main.

317 Main’s Little Roots curriculum combines music-making with movement, encouraging young children to feel the music in their bodies as they learn fundamental creative skills. Little Roots programs are distinctive, relevant, and consistent with 317’s friendly, fun, and accessible mission-based priorities. This welcoming approach is combined with a curricular foundation that, in a group setting, teaches children (and family members) to: sing comfortably; experience rhythm physically; and develop a dynamic and emotional relationship with the communicative power of music.

Current Little Roots offerings include Little Roots Family (all ages with caregivers), Little Roots Drum & Strum (djembe & ukulele, 3-5 yr olds), Little Roots Ukulele, Little Roots Fiddle, and Little Roots Piano classes (5 & 6 yr olds). Classes are currently offered Monday-Friday with plans to expand into Saturday and possibly into communities beyond our home base in Yarmouth.

Position Description

The Little Roots Program Coordinator has two primary functional responsibilities. The first functional responsibility is to work with the Director of Music Education to deliver a curriculum that is relevant, compelling, and consistent with the 317 Main approach to music education which:

• combines fun with quality music education
• attracts and retains families with children ages birth to 6 years old
• connects to the established program continuum beyond age 6
• has systems in place which measure the quality, consistency, and value of all of the programs and services offered and allows for continuous improvement.

The other primary area of responsibility will be to work with the Director of Music Education to:

• mentor, coordinate training, and evaluate Little Roots teaching artists/programs
• coordinate annual program plan for Little Roots

• work with the Director of Marketing and Communications to develop a marketing & communications plan for the Little Roots program
• communicate with parents and teaching artists about Little Roots program offerings
• maintain an active schedule as a Little Roots teaching artist (compensated separately at 317 Main Teaching Artist rates)
• plan and implement special programs and events designed to promote the Little Roots brand to the greater community
• develop and maintain an annual budget for equipment, supplies, meetings, and training sessions, and work with the Business/Finance Director to make necessary purchases
• be the ambassador of the Little Roots music to the communityQualifications
• Must have passion, dedication, and experience in the field of early childhood music education
• Must be personally engaging, friendly and want to work in a fast-paced community-oriented environment
• Must have experience and be comfortable working with children, parents, teaching artists, and administrative staff
• Must possess strong administrative skills and have experience developing and overseeing the implementation of program plans
• Must be able to work as a team player in support of an organizational mission
• Must possess good verbal and written communication skills
• Instrumental and vocal skills are strongly preferredRequirements• Degree in Early Childhood preferred, K-5 or comparable experience considered • At least 3 years of teaching experience in an early childhood education setting • Certification/experience in Kodály, Orff, and/or First Steps in Music a plus

  The Little Roots Program Coordinator is a part-time, year-round, 16hr/week program administration position. It is designed to be combined with an active schedule as a Little Roots Teaching Artist (compensated at 317 Main Little Roots Teaching Artist rates).

  To Apply

  Please email your current resume with a cover letter to apply@317main.org. It will be helpful if your cover letter indicates how your professional interests and qualifications are a good match with the position and the 317 Main Community Music Center’s mission to: encourage creative expression, personal growth, and community connection through music. To apply by mail, please send to: 317 Main Community Music Center, 317 Main Street, Yarmouth, ME 04096.

317 and Casco Bay

Songwriting Intensive

The Maine Arts Commission Arts Learning grant funded a collaborative with 317 Main in Yarmouth and Casco Bay High School in Portland during this past school year. The program provided an intensive and inspiring week for students who made incredible music together. For some of the students involved it was their first opportunity to collaborate on writing and performing new songs. The impact was incredible and will go on for years.

This short video provides a glimpse into the work that students and instructors did.

Greely High School and North Yarmouth Academy Exhibit

Greely High School and North Yarmouth Academy

Advanced Placement Studio Art

International Baccalaureate Studio Art

Untitled, 18" x 24" Mixed Media, Sarah Ingraham

Student Art Show at 317 Main Street, Yarmouth

An exhibit of work by students of Greely High School and North Yarmouth Academy

The exhibit will include drawings, paintings, mixed media, and photography.

Dainius Bukauskas AP NYA, Sarah Ingraham IB 1st year GHS, Olivia Ryder IB 1st year GHS, Lila Hall 1st year IB GHS, Emily Colesworthy AP GHS

OPENING RECEPTION Friday, April 6, 2012 6:00-7:30 pm

with live music by NYA Bluegrass Ensemble

Gallery Hours: 12:00-6:00 pm Monday-Friday through April 24, 2012

Open to the community!

317 Main St Community Music Center

Music Lessons, Jam Sessions, Cafe and Gallery. FMI call 846-9559 or visit www.317mainst.org