MAMM in Portland
Jeff Shaw, originally from Millbridge, and what he has built in the Portland area. In the Portland Press Herald TODAY.
Jeff Shaw, standing center left, with kids at MAMM’s summer junior rock camp at Williston-Immanuel United Church in Portland. Staff photo by Jill Brady
Addressing Social Issues in Portland
Maine Alliance for Arts Education’s (MAAE) Building Community Through the Arts drama and dance residency program (BCTA) was developed in 2000 after the shooting at Columbine High School brought the issue of social climate in schools to the nation’s attention. The BCTA residencies, engaging whole classes of students in non-arts high school classrooms in the collaborative creation and performance of an original theater or dance piece, introduced many students to creative theater and dance, even as they helped to break down social barriers and build trust. Until recently the program has been operating primarily in the Penquis Region of the state, where student social issues were often based on socio-economic diversity or gender issues. But BCTA has been expanding into more areas, and this summer it has come to Portland, where the social issues the students are dealing with include racial and religious diversity.
The introduction of the BCTA program into Portland has been through MAAE’s new partnership with OPEN (Organization for Partnership and Engagement with Neighborhoods), an after-school and weekend program in Portland’s Parkside area that engages diverse youth to take an active role in the decision making and dialogue about issues of social justice affecting their community. During a three-week residency in July with BCTA theater artist Jeri Pitcher, an OPEN group of 12 mostly minority and immigrant youth created “Amy’s First Day,” an original drama, which they performed for the community on the evening of July 22.
The play, the first time that the OPEN program had incorporated theater, addressed racial and religious bias in the community through the eyes of the title character Amy, an African girl newly arrived in Portland. To read more about the play and the issues it raised, visit MAAE’s website, http://www.maineartsed.org
MAAE will be working with OPEN and with the youth themselves to explore options for bringing the BCTA program into Portland schools. Public input is welcome as well. To contribute to this discussion and for more information contact MAAE Executive Director Susan Potters either by email (s.potters@maineartsed.org) or by phone (207) 439-3169.
A favorite part
Teacher Leaders working on their posters creating their action plans and logic models for sharing
The Maine Arts Leadership Initiative (MALI) continues to use a Critical Friends model to provide feedback to each other as the work progresses. This years new Teacher Leaders created Action Plans that start with Essential Questions. For example, Why and how should we assess students in instrumental ensembles? The questions vary depending on what each teacher leader is learning and needing in their classroom. The template that is used helps the teachers formulate their ideas so they can present a workshop on the topic for other visual or performing arts teachers during the 2015-16 school year.
Along with the question(s), the template includes the following categories:
You can imagine once the above are fleshed out, a plan develops for the workshop format. This is not to say that the plan is simple. In fact, some teachers really struggle to bring the plan together. It is amazing to watch the progress.
The returning Teacher Leaders used a different format this year – new to MALI as well. Teachers started with a Problem and a Goal.
From there they developed the following:
A Logic Model poster with comments on stickies
The MALI team that went to Washington, D.C. for the Teach to Lead Summit in July learned about the Logic Model template and decided hands-down that it was the way to proceed with the returning Teacher Leaders.
On the third day of the summer institute held at USM, Portland on August 3-5 all the Teacher Leaders shared their ideas in small groups with critical friends and received feedback that they could immediately apply and make any of the changes.
The frosting on the cake comes during the afternoon when teachers participated in a gallery walk reviewing the plans of each teacher. It was silent for 90 minutes while each Teacher Leader provides thoughtful feedback on stickies that the teachers use to make further changes. Both groups produced an amazing amount of high quality work during the 3-day institute.
In addition, the Critical Friend assigned to the MALI team while in DC for the Summit joined us electronically to provide feedback to Teacher Leader and music educator from Bonny Eagle High School, Jake Sturtevant. It was great to watch the process in action.
Jacob Bruno from Corwin, MALIs Critical Friend, providing feedback to Jake Sturtevant
On August 20 the MALI will have a Critical Friends Day to provide feedback for the last time before they take their workshops and plans “on the road”.
Just a reminder that on August 3, 2015, MAAI, the Maine Arts Assessment Initiative, announced its new name, MALI, the Maine Arts Leadership Initiative. You can read about it at https://meartsed.wordpress.com/2015/08/09/maai-goes-to-mali/. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Maine College of Art
This blog post is part of a series called Who Are They? where information is provided for the Maine Arts Ed blog readers to learn about community organizations and institutions that provide educational opportunities in the arts. You will learn that they are partnering with other organizations and schools to extend learning opportunities, not supplant.
This is the sixth and final post as part of this series on the Maine College of Art (MECA) which is located in downtown Portland. Thank you to Raffi Der Simonian
rdersimonian@meca.edu, Director of Marketing & Communications for his help in putting this series together.
The final post includes information about MECAs new music and art program which received $3 million to kickstart the program. Learn about it in this video from Ian Anderson, Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of the College.
One-day conference, December 3, 2014
Keynote by Rick Stiggins
Rick Stiggins, author of recent books Defensible Teacher Evaluation: Student Growth Through Classroom Assessment and Revolutionize Assessment: Empower Students, Inspire Learning will keynote the event. Rick founded Assessment Training Institute to provide professional development in assessment literacy for school leaders and teachers. He has authored several books and a host of papers on the subject.
Who Should Attend?
The one-day conference is designed for: School and District leaders, teachers, Effective Educator Steering Committee members, School Board members, and all interested in the implementation of Education Policy.
Price: $75 registration fee includes coffee, snacks, and lunch, USM, Portland campus
Registration Process: Complete the online registration at this link: http://bit.ly/1xhzG35. Limited space available.
3 Concurrent Sessions
For more information please contact Anita Stewart at anita.stewart@maine.edu.
Another worthwhile day at the Summit provided by the Maine Arts Assessment Initiative – a program of the Maine Arts Commission
The Day 2 schedule at the Summit on Arts Education at USM, Portland allowed participants the opportunity to attend sessions on technology, integration, advocacy, and sessions with like-grade level and discipline on Proficiency and the Student-centered classroom.
In addition, throughout the morning participants had the chance to learn more about teaching artists, arts organizations and higher education.
Representatives from the following arts organizations and institutions participated: From the Bow Seat, Lesley University, Lincoln Street Center and Northland Village Foundation, Maine Department of Education, Maine Art Education Association, Maine Music Educators Association, Maine College of Art, New England Institute for Teacher Education, Portland Ovations, Portland Museum of Art, Portland Symphony Orchestra, UMaine Music Ed Department, and UMaine Art Ed Department.
Rose Kue, Director of Education & Community Engagement, Portland Symphony Orchestra
Teams and individuals started work on an Individual (or team) Action Plan so they could hit the ground running when returning to their schools/districts. The Phase 5 Maine Arts Assessment Initiative (MAAI) Teacher Leader’s Individual Action Plans focus on the workshops they plan to provide during the 2014-15 school year.
Maine Art Education Association secretary and MAAI teacher leader, Lisa Ingraham, provided the “chair” template so teachers could use their creativity to contribute to the wall of chairs. Lisa and her colleague Jim Small from Madison School District are seen in this post in front of the growing wall of chairs.
It was the second day of the Summit on Arts Education filled with high quality professional development. The 90 participants went away having learned a great deal, and with new questions about their understanding of teaching, learning, and assessment in arts education.
Participants “movin” with teaching artist, Stephanie McGary
Jeff Poulin, Arts Education Program Coordinator from the Americans for the Arts located in Washington, D.C. provided information on Arts Advocacy
Photos taken by Kevin Facer, Roger Fuller, and Argy Nestor
Summit on Arts Education
We had a great first day at USM, Portland at the Summit on Arts Education. The energy was high and the participants were busy filling their minds. Information was shared and questions flying! The day started with sessions on Essential Questions and Leadership. Participants gained insight on Effective Teaching in the Student-centered classroom and were treated to showcases presented by Teaching Artists. Each teacher started brainstorming ideas to create an individual action plan. The day wrapped up with an electronic conversation with the State Education Agency Directors of Arts Education at their ssessment conference taking place in D.C. Julie Richard, Director of the Maine Arts Commission, unveiled the Teacher Resource Bank. The day was jam packed and flew by!
Attending the Summit are arts educators from all regions of Maine representing all grade levels and all four arts disciplines. Networking has been an important part of the work – people collaborating and networking.
You’re Invited!
The Maine Arts Education Summit taking place at USM, Portland July 29-31 invites organizations who include arts education programs to join us on Wednesday, July 30, 8:00 – 12:30, to strut your stuff. The Summit is shaping up to be a wonderful opportunity not only for arts educators to come together and learn but also others. We have teaching artists joining us and now I am happy to extend this invitation to you. Where else can you go in Maine and share arts education opportunities with Maine arts teachers? Contact me ASAP to reserve a 4 foot or 8 foot table space. We will include your information in the participant packets and a blurb about your organization and your logo in the wiki space with all the Summit information.
If you are interested or wish to learn more please email me at argy.nestor@maine.gov TODAY!
Maine College of Art – ages 9-17
At MECA, we believe art is essential to a healthy society and a thriving culture. We want to empower our youth to engage in art making that changes who they are and how they see the world. To this end, we are offering full summer camp scholarships to the two students who answer the essay question below with the most conviction and clarity of expression. Artists are innovative, hard working problem solvers who play a critical role in our society– we want to help you get there.
ESSAY QUESTION:
WHAT WOULD A SUMMER MAKING ART AT MECA MEAN TO YOU? HOW DO YOU FEEL THIS EXPERIENCE WOULD BENEFIT YOUR CREATIVE GROWTH?
FEEL FREE TO TALK ABOUT ANY ART YOU’VE MADE, WOULD LIKE TO MAKE, OR ANY ART THAT INSPIRES YOU IN YOUR ANSWER.
CATEGORIES:
YOUTH Category: Ages 9 – 12
TEEN Category: Ages 13-17
DEADLINE: April 30, 2014
ELIGIBILITY & RULES
All contestants must adhere to the age requirements of each category. Contestants must compose an original essay with limited guidance from others. The essay must be 250-500 words.
PRIZES
Ever dream of going to art school? Well, here’s your chance! The contest winner will receive one free summer art pass. This means that you could win a summer of free art education from the Maine College of Art. Painting, graphic design, photography—we offer a comprehensive arts program, found here.
HOW TO ENTER
Once you’ve completed your essay, fill out our Online form (see ‘Apply Now’ tab). Submitting the form requires you to get authorization from your parents. So before you send in your essay, be sure to explain what the competition is all about and make sure that your parents are in full support!
JUDGING
Each entry will be judged based on originality, clarity of thought and motivation, and expressiveness in writing. Winners will be contacted by phone during the first week in May ’14.
NEED MORE INFO? CONTACT:
Courtney Cook
Director of Continuing Studies
ccook@meca.edu
207.699.5061
View the video of an artist “installation”/performance at the Portland Museum of Art that took place last weekend. Certainly might provide “food for thought”. You will see that this piece was created by many. Artist Clint Fulkerson formed this “tape team” to “create a spontaneous collaborative drawing using masking tape to cover the Great Hall of the Portland Museum of Art on January 31st, 2014.” Thanks to Jo Martyn-Fisher for sending this information!
me arts ed 