Tides Institute

Visual Thinking Strategies workshop

The Tides Institute & Museum of Art (TIMA) in Eastport, Maine is delighted to announce a free professional development opportunity for visual art teachers and other educators on Saturday, April 27 from 9 am to 3 p.m. Sara Egan, School and Youth Programs Manager from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston, will be leading the workshop at the Tides Institute & Museum of Art in Eastport.

Thanks to generous support from three private foundations, this workshop is free of charge to participating educators. Contact hours will be provided. The workshop will cover the basics of Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS), which will be an introduction or quick review for those familiar with the educational approach.

Siri Beckman, “Machias Cod”, wood engraving, 2010. From the collection of the Tides Institute & Museum of Art, Eastport.

Teachers will discuss and share ideas about ways to use the recently-published TIMA poster set in classroom settings, including using VTS. Teachers will also learn about ways to partner with the Tides Institute to extend classroom studies on the region’s art and culture, both historical and contemporary, and support student centered learning. Teachers will also learn about outreach opportunities available through the StudioWorks Artist-in-Residence Program.

Lunch will be provided, and limited lodging is available for the night before the workshop for those traveling more than 60 miles (one-way) to Eastport. We have workshop space to accommodate up to 25 educators from Washington County for this workshop, but will consider registrations from other counties in Maine and New Brunswick if space allows.

To register, or for more information, please contact Kristin McKinlay, Director of Exhibitions & Education, kmckinlay@tidesinstitute.org, or call (207) 853-4047.

In Today’s News

Funding available

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                              CONTACT: ANDREA NEMITZ
November 29, 2016                                                                                 1-877-700-6800

MINSKY FUND FOR ARTS EDUCATION OFFERS GRANTS
TO PENOBSCOT AND WASHINGTON COUNTY TEACHERS

ELLSWORTH—The Maine Community Foundation invites teachers at Penobscot County and Washington County public elementary schools to apply for support to bring the arts into their classrooms.

The Leonard and Renee Minsky Fund for Arts Education will grant up to six awards, up to $1,000 each, to teachers in grades 3 to 5 who want to integrate art into the standard curriculum.

The fund’s advisory committee is particularly interested in funding innovative and collaborative projects with professional artists from the visual and/or performing arts, including but not limited to film, video, and other media; theater arts, music, and dance; and creative writing.

Applications must be postmarked by December 15, 2016. Complete guidelines and applications are available at http://www.mainecf.org. For more information, contact Cathy Melio at cmelio@mainecf.org or by phone, toll-free, at (877) 700-6800.

A statewide organization with offices in Ellsworth and Portland, the Maine Community Foundation works with donors and other partners to improve the quality of life for all Maine people. For questions or more information, visit http://www.mainecf.org or call 1-877-700-6800.

Opera in Washington County

Passamaquoddy Bay Symphony Orchestra

PBSO BRINGS OPERA TO WASHINGTON COUNTY CHILDREN

Do you remember the 2014 PBSO Woodwind Quintet’s production of “Peter and the Wolf?” That project, which involved 8 schools and more than 700 students, resulted in approximately 450 teacher and student questionnaires that were overwhelmingly positive. One student wrote: “If you have a chance to see this show, do it! And I’m not a music person.” The success of “Peter and the Wolf” and requests from additional schools ignited a desire in PBSO to build on this first major outreach experience by establishing the MUSIC FOR CHILDREN PROGRAM. This Program annually will develop and present accessible, yet serious, musical programs for elementary-age children. To tie the music to other areas of the curriculum, selected music will be bound to great examples from children’s literature or fine arts. PBSO looks forward to introducing Washington County children to opera and orchestral instruments and music and showing them how music goes beyond a one-time show to become a life-long friend.

This year there is excitement in the air as the PBSO Music for Children Program busily prepares “Hansel and Gretel” for presentation to more than 1,200 school children from 17 schools in Washington County! Seven performances for schools are scheduled in March at EAC and at UMM with a public performance at EAC on Saturday, March 19. Home-schooled students are invited to attend the performance of their choice.

Composer Gregory Biss, writer Sarah Dalton Phillips, and artist Chris Grannis are creating a phenomenal score, narrative, and set that will delight audience members of all ages. The ensemble consists of 13 PBSO musicians and the cast includes Washington County children and adult singers and actors.

This project is funded in part by generous grants from the Maine Arts Commission, an independent state agency supported by the National Endowment for the Arts; the Community Building Grant Program of the Maine Community Foundation; and the Steven and Tabitha King Foundation. Thanks also to Eastport Arts Center, the University of Maine at Machias, and the many volunteers who have contributed hours of service to make this dream a reality.

For additional information please contact June Gregory at 207-213-9145 or june.gregory@gmail.com.

Who Are They?: Schoodic Arts for All, Part 6

Intern program

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. Please consider ways in which you can collaborate to provide excellent arts education for all learners.

This is the sixth and last blog post of the series highlighting the work of Schoodic Arts for All located in Hammond Hall, 427 Main Street in Winter Harbor. This area is called Downeast Maine and Schoodic Arts for All is at the intersection of Hancock and Washington Counties. Schoodic Arts for All is a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering interest and involvement in the arts for all who wish to participate.

A special THANK YOU to Mary Laury and Anna Woolf for providing the content for the six blog posts on Schoodic Arts for All. These posts have provided a clear picture of the depth and breath of the programming that is offered. This post is especially fascinating and I am sure you will agree once you read it that, the future is in good hands knowing the opportunities and experiences that Schoodic Arts for All provides to young people as interns.

“Interning at Schoodic Arts For All has been an incredible opportunity. During my internship (along with technical skills such as working the lights and the sound board for performances) I learned how to work collaboratively with my coworkers, how to set goals and eventually reach them, and how to positively approach problems with innovative and creative solutions. Besides looking incredible on a resumé, interning and working at Schoodic Arts has given me the experience and skills necessary to survive in any work environment because of the broad amounts of tasks I was expected to complete. Working effectively in an office environment, getting out in the community through events and programs, and working with artists from around the state have made me incredibly confident and prepared for any and all directions I might go in the future.” 

Hannah Gignoux

Schoodic Arts for engages youth in leadership roles as Junior Interns (ages 12–15) and then as (paid) Summer Interns (ages 16 – 21). Many of these interns have moved on to become very successful, including 3 who have gone on to become executive directors before reaching the age of 25.

2001-RIVERA SUN COOK, Executive Director Rising Sun Dance Theatre

Rivera Sun Cook was the very first Schoodic Arts intern. Her job description as the very first intern consisted of “moving chairs, doing everything and anything, and having fun!” She is now a successful Executive Director of her company, Rising Sun Dance Theatre, and has written two novels, “Steam Drills, Treadmills, and Shooting Stars” and “The Dandelion Insurrection.”

 

 

 

 

2003-SHELBY HOWE GREENE, Executive Director Eastport Arts Center

Shelby Howe Greene became an intern with Schoodic Arts for All, shortly after graduating from high school in 2003. After interning, she continued to return during the summers for summer programming.

After graduating from college, she began working at the Eastport Arts Center in Eastport, Maine for 3 years. She wrote grants and worked with volunteers and the community. She left the Eastport Arts Center in 2011, and eventually became an Americorps member with the Washington County Food and Fuel Alliance in 2012, and Maine Sea Coast Mission EdGE after school program in 2013. She currently operates her own cloth diapering business, The Meanie Greene on Etsy.

 

 

2004-JEFFE GREENE, Engineer

Jeffe Greene was an intern at Schoodic Arts for All in 2004 after finishing high school. He attended Maine Maritime Academy and received a degree in Engineering with a BA in Science and Technology.

2006-CHARLOTTE GUERTLER, Yale

Charlotte attended many Schoodic Arts for All festivals, and took lots of workshops before becoming an intern. Schoodic Arts for All classes have helped her become a better artist and observer, and being an intern has helped her improve her job skills. One of the most important things she learned from her internship was how to overcome her shyness.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2007- BREANNA PINKHAM, Executive Director of Our Town Belfast

Breanna Pinkham was involved with Schoodic Arts for All from a very young age in workshops and performances. She joined Schoodic Steel and, shortly after, the Meetinghouse Theatre Lab. She began working as assistant and year-round helper at Schoodic Arts for All on her 21^st birthday. She began by using adobe design programs, and slowly took over graphic design and website duties as well as managing the office. She worked at Schoodic Arts for All while going to school for an undergraduate degree in Interdisciplinary Fine Arts. She became Executive Director of the Main Street program, Our Town Belfast in Belfast, Maine.

 

 

2010-LEILA SAAD, Director and Publisher, Maude Magazine

Leila has been involved with Schoodic Arts for All from a very young age. Raised in the festival, she was always involved in workshops, which eased her into becoming a staff member.

 

2011-2013-NICK RUCKER, Tech specialist

Able to sculpt and define his job, Nick Rucker was mainly involved with web design, lights and sound. He loved the freedom and macromanaged environment in the Schoodic Arts for All office. Trust was a big part of his job, being handed a task, and having the freedom to accomplish the task in his own way.

 

 

 

 

2011-OREN DARLING, Designer

Oren Darling is a Web and Graphic Design Associate for the Purdue Research Foundation, which works to improve Purdue as a world-class university by aiding in scientific investigation, research and educational studies, maintaining facilities, grounds, and equipment, and managing intellectual property. His work at Schoodic Arts for All helped him become familiar with promoting and organizing events.

 

 

2012-ELIZA HUBER-WEISS, student

Eliza Huber-Weiss, a talented cellist, was a summer intern for Schoodic Arts for All in 2012. She was often in charge of organizing events and publicity. Eliza is a very artistic young lady, and even designed the 2012 and 2013 Schoodic Arts for All festival t-shirts. She now attends Bowdoin college and studies Liberal Arts.

 

 

2012-ALEXANDRA BROWN, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

When Alexandra joined Schoodic Arts for All she was very interested in history. She decided to create a special summer project in her time as an intern, which was to curate a show of historic photos of Winter Harbor. The exhibit was displayed where people could go and write down any memories they had of these historic buildings. With these comments, she compiled a book called “Historic Photographs of Winter Harbor” which was registered with the Library of Congress. Her internship and printed book helped her resume grow, and as a result she moved on to get a job in the museum of Fine Arts in Boston.

 

2012-2014-BELLA DESISTO, Student

Bella DeSisto became involved with Schoodic Arts for All from a young age, starting as a volunteer and working her way up to become a staff member. She was mostly involved with the junior interns in Prospect Harbor and as the logistics person on staff.

 

 

 

 

 

2013-2014-HANNAH GIGNOUX, Student

Hannah Gignoux has been involved with Schoodic Arts for All from a very young age, taking a wide variety of workshops, performing at Brown Bag Lunches, opening for Last Friday Coffee Houses, and as a member of the Pandemonium steel band.

She worked at Schoodic Arts for All for two years as a summer intern, then as a staff member. Her main projects during her time here mostly involved organizing the annual Silent Auction and Final Showcase, and managing lighting for performances.

The arts are a big part of her life, and she plans to remain involved with the arts all the way through her college career.

 

 

2013-2014-PEPIN MITTELHAUSER, Musician and performer

Pepin became involved with Schoodic Arts for All through several performance groups, including the Schoodic Summer Chorus, Steel Pan groups, and eventually his own performing group. He is now a program assistant for Schoodic Arts for All, and is also in charge of Pecha Kucha presentations, and performance managing such as running lights and sound.

 

2014-HANNAH WOODWARD, Student

Hannah Woodward has been involved with Schoodic Arts since 2001. She began her relationship with Schoodic Arts by taking workshops and attending performances. She was a member of the original Pandemonium Steel Band. She became a junior intern in 7^th grade, and became a part time summer intern as a Summer Program Assistant. She has always had a steady relationship with Schoodic Arts for All and the festival.

 

 

 

2014, ELLEN JOHNSON, student

Ellen Johnson has been a junior intern since the age of 12. She is a member of the original Pandemonium steel band, and has been with Schoodic Arts for All from a very young age. She became a summer intern, in charge of press releases and organizing junior interns and Brown Bag Lunch, and is now summer staff.

2014-SINAI HERRERA, student

Sinai Herrera began her relationship with Schoodic Arts for All when she joined the Pandemonium Steel drum band in 7^th grade. She became a summer intern in 2014 and is now summer staff. She is mostly in charge of publicity but also compiled this biography of interns.

 

 

Intern positions give young community members an opportunity to have a fun, rewarding job involving the arts.

If you have questions about the Schoodic Arts for All Intern program or any of their other programs please contact the Executive Director, Mary Laury, at marylaury@schoodicartsforall.org.

Who Are They?: Schoodic Arts for All, Part 4

Schoodic festival

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. Please consider ways in which you can collaborate to provide excellent arts education for all learners.

This is the fourth blog post of the series highlighting the work of Schoodic Arts for All located in Hammond Hall, 427 Main Street in Winter Harbor. This area is called Downeast Maine and Schoodic Arts for All is at the intersection of Hancock and Washington Counties. Schoodic Arts for All is a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering interest and involvement in the arts for all who wish to participate.

Schoodic Arts for All evolved out of an organization called Maine Futures, in 1998. The first year of the festival was 1999 when we had around 65 workshops and seven or eight performances. That year we had no office, a small grant from the Maine Community Foundation, a few volunteers, and a part time director. Most of the work was done at Darthia Farm, even to using the farm’s credit card machine to sign up students.

It has grown over the years but we try to maintain the “grassroots” feeling of workshops and performances and to keep the tuition and admission charges low through donations and grants.

We are presenting many workshops in a number of categories. We have craft, visual art, cooking, writing, fiber, clay, dance, jewelry, music, and several free classes. The workshops are held throughout the entire Schoodic Peninsula in various venues in the many villages.

We also present 14 evening performances at Hammond Hall in Winter Harbor including music, theater, dance, film, and puppetry.

In Prospect Harbor, every day at noon, we have a free “brown bag” performance ranging from guitarists, reptiles, kids playing music, lectures.

During the two weeks of the Schoodic Arts Festival, the Schoodic Peninsula is transformed into a hub-bub of children and adults making and doing and observing art in all genres.

If you have questions about the Schoodic Arts for All Festival or any of their other programs please contact the Executive Director, Mary Laury, at marylaury@schoodicartsforall.org.

Who Are They?: Schoodic Arts for All, Part 3

Art club

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. Please consider ways in which you can collaborate to provide excellent arts education for all learners.

This is the third blog post of the series highlighting the work of Schoodic Arts for All located in Hammond Hall, 427 Main Street in Winter Harbor. This area is called Downeast Maine and Schoodic Arts for All is at the intersection of Hancock and Washington Counties. Schoodic Arts for All is a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering interest and involvement in the arts for all who wish to participate.

Schoodic Arts for All’s after school Art Club is a once a week hands-on experiential arts lesson for

In March, Art Club was all about Pottery: What a messy, fun time throwing clay on the wheel!

Peninsula School children enrolled in the EdGE program.

EdGE (Ed Greaves Education) is an innovative youth development program of the Maine Sea Coast Mission for students in grades 4-8 in coastal Washington County. It is designed to encourage youth to stay engaged in school, aspire towards and attain higher levels of achievement, and develop the personal skills that will enable them to achieve success. These goals are pursued using a wide range of interdisciplinary and experiential curriculum.

The Schoodic Arts for All Art Club program brings students in the EdGe program together with

local professional artists and crafters who teach clay, metal, paint, paper, fiber, and more. Students in the club are encouraged to help choose upcoming guest artists by sharing their ideas of topics they would like to explore.  Art Club’s lead teacher, Anna Woolf records the students’ ideas and searches for local artists who will visit as guest artists.

This spring students in the Art Club are enjoying:

• Pottery: on the Wheel and Hand-Building
• Sumi-e: Japanese Brush Painting with Wendilee Heath O’Brien

Asian Art – Sumi – e, or dancing brush painting, is the art of making each brush stroke important. Students learn how to grind pine pitch ink, charge the brush, and capture the essence of what you paint on tissue fine paper.

• Illustration with Bill Davis
• Clay Pens with Mary Lyman

Many Art Club sessions have time dedicated to “Open Studio” to work on continuing projects and experimenting with new media. At this time, pottery is the foundation since the lead teacher is a professional potter. Other media that is openly available include any materials introduced while learning from the guest artists: polymer clay, a wide variety of drawing materials, painting materials, bookbinding, papermaking and marbling, and sumi-e brush painting.

Guest artist Wendilee Heath O’Brien gave a wonderful lesson on Sumi-e, complete with inks and brushes from Japan.

Wendilee even taught a portion of lesson in Japanese!

For more information about Art Club and/or if you would like to visit as a guest artist e-mail anna@schoodicartsforall.org.

Who Are They?: Schoodic Arts for All, Part 2

Museum Trips

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. Please consider ways in which you can collaborate to provide excellent arts education for all learners.

This is the second blog post of the series highlighting the work of Schoodic Arts for All located in Hammond Hall, 427 Main Street in Winter Harbor. This area is called Downeast Maine and Schoodic Arts for All is at the intersection of Hancock and Washington Counties. Schoodic Arts for All is a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering interest and involvement in the arts for all who wish to participate.

Colby Museum of Art field trip

This past winter the staff at Schoodic Arts for All had an idea.  Members of the Painting group brainstormed ideas to get ourselves and our neighbors out of our homes, out of the dreary winter rut, to engage in socially and creatively enriching activities.  The Museum Field Trip was born: the plan was to provide transportation and museum fees for folks to travel to a new museum each month!

The response to the first trip to the Farnsworth Art Museum, was overwhelmingly positive. Schoodic Arts for All is committed to building on the popularity of this new winter program to create a truly unique and engaging experience for our participants.

Participants Feedback

“Winter days are short.  This trip was a brilliant idea.  It recharged creative minds on many levels and was a good day long social event.”  -Ann Dederer

“This kind of trip fulfills part of the mission of SAFA by enabling people who enjoy art an affordable way to engage with it.” -Anonymous

Ken Kelly at Portland Museum of Art

We all know that Maine has a significant number of “aging” residents.  Our field trips are aimed at gathering folks together who would not, on their own, consider taking a 12-hour day trip. After all, many wouldn’t feel comfortable driving 2 or 3 hours to visit a museum ALONE, stopping to have lunch ALONE, and driving all the way home, often in the dark, ALONE.  By providing the transportation, in groups of 6 passengers, participants were engaged in a variety of conversations and community building happened during the ride. Friendships are made, and information about the area is shared between people who otherwise may never have met.

As another participant stated:  “Community lives when people come together to share, laugh and explore.” -Anonymous

The monthly “Field Trips” to area art museums kicked off in January 2015 with an overwhelmingly positive response, drawing three times the anticipated attendance!  The museums were selected based on the current exhibits and interests of our participants. For example, in January, the Farnsworth Art Museum with the Shaker Exhibit was the first museum trip. Participants enjoyed the docent lead tour of the Shakers exhibit which included a documentary film by Ken Burns.

Winter Field trips included:

1. Farnsworth Art Museum
2. Portland Museum of Art
3. Colby College Museum of Art
4. University of Maine Museum of Art and the IMRC (Innovative Media Research and Commercialization Center)
5. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (still upcoming as of the publish date of this post)

Karen and Mazouz Hussein at Colby College

A Survey/Written Evaluation follows each trip which provides insights into how the experience. Strengths and weaknesses are included which provides direction for improvements for future Field Trips. These trips are a valuable resource for many who would not ordinarily experience the arts in this way. The goal is to make these trips enriching, comfortable and affordable for all.

For more information on Schoodic Arts for All Museum Field Trips visit www.schoodicartsforall.org or e-mail anna@choodicartsforall.org

 

 

 

Who Are They?: Schoodic Arts for All, Part 1

Introducing: Schoodic Arts for All

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. Please consider ways in which you can collaborate to provide excellent arts education for all learners.

This is the first blog post of the series highlighting the work of Schoodic Arts for All located in Hammond Hall, 427 Main Street in Winter Harbor. This area is called Downeast Maine and Schoodic Arts for All is at the intersection of Hancock and Washington Counties. Schoodic Arts for All is a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering interest and involvement in the arts for all who wish to participate.

Mission

The mission of Schoodic Arts for All is to bring together and provide opportunities for people of all ages to experience and appreciate the arts. Since our beginning in 1999, Schoodic Arts for All has been an integral part of our community as an arts presenting organization. In addition, we also area centerpiece for the downtown renovation, a positive influence on the economic situation, a resource for the schools in our district and a venue for the community events in our town.

History

Schoodic Arts for All was born in 1999 as a grassroots citizen’s group (Schoodic Futures) to address the dire economic impact on the town due to the closure of the Winter Harbor Navy base.  The loss of $11.5 million dollars in payroll and another $9 million in losses to vendors of equipment, supplies, and services to the navy cut the population by half, leaving only 23 students in the school and 100 empty buildings in town. Our task was to bring back life and vitality through increased visitation and economic opportunity.

One early answer to the question of how to save the community was to hold a two-week arts festival. In a region with little industry, most of the people who live here are engaged in creative occupations. These include the visual arts, music, craft, writing, design, architecture, and organic agriculture. After that first two-week festival, and following a two-year planning and data gathering process, one wish of the community that consistently surfaced was to provide increased “live arts” opportunities for participation and performance.

The Schoodic Arts Festival is the best known program that we do – it’s our signature program and begins in a few weeks. This year we have 85 workshops and 26 performances in 14 days! It’s our flagship program.

Schoodic Arts for All Programs

Art Club

Our Afterschool Art Club activities connect children with local professional artists who’s experience and passion for their craft inspire our club members to aspire to a life in the arts.

Schoodic Summer Chorus 

A multi-generational a capella community chorus devoted to nurturing musicianship and community, in residence at Hammond Hall. Directed by singer and composer Anna Dembska, the chorus is open to anyone who loves to sing.

 

Museum Field Trips  

One of our first participants had this to say about our January trip to The Farnsworth Art Museum: “Winter days are short.  This trip was a brilliant idea.  It recharged creative minds on many levels and was a good day long social event.”

Union of Maine Visual Artists (UMVA) 

If you are interested in the arts, if you are an artist, if you have a friend who is an artist, or if you want to know about what’s going on in the arts community, come and join us. All are welcome!

Pandemonium Steel Pan Band 

Our youth steel drum band, Pandemonium (intermediate), rehearses throughout the year and have performance opportunities annually at the Schoodic Arts Festival as well as at local school assemblies.

 

Schoodic Arts for All Meetinghouse Theatre Lab

The Meetinghouse Theatre Lab is dedicated to creating a yearly ensemble of performance artists who come together to excite the senses, push the limits, and explode the definition of “create” with the aim of growing as performers and enriching the humanity of all involved. The Theatre Lab has presented readings, staged readings, and full productions, both classic and contemporary.

If you have questions about Schoodic Arts for All please contact the Executive Director, Mary Laury, at marylaury@schoodicartsforall.org.

Washington County Arts Ed Funding

Deadline: January 31, 2014

Grant Size: Five grants (maximum of $1,000 each)

General Information:
Recognizing the important role the arts can play in a school’s curriculum, the donors established this fund to encourage teachers in grades three through five to work with professional artists to bring the arts into the classroom and, in addition, to integrate a variety of art forms into the standard curriculum. The Fund challenges classroom teachers to explore innovative approaches to meet the following basic guidelines:

• The artist(s) work(s) with the all the students in the grade(s) participating in the project
• The artist(s) works with all the participating teachers to explore the integration of the arts into the standard curriculum. If agreed upon by the artist and teachers, other interested faculty may also participate.

Each year the Fund will award five grants, up to a maximum of $1,000 each. The application process involves a simple two-page project proposal, which addresses the following: anticipated benefits; timeline and milestones; possible barriers; and a use-of-funds budget. To further simplify the process, application submission and much of the communication will be completed by email.

Grant Guidelines:
Teachers will work with professional artists from the visual and/or performing arts, including but not limited to film, video, and other media, theater arts, music, dance and creative writing. Together, the teacher and artists will design a program in which teachers and students will learn through participating in the art form. The artist will also work with the teachers to develop a curriculum that will incorporate the arts in a meaningful way, helping the school to meet the Maine Learning Results.

Eligibility Requirements:
All public school teachers of grades three through five in Washington County in even years and in Penobscot County in odd years are eligible for consideration. Although not required, teachers of the three grades are encouraged to work collaboratively to present one project, and elementary schools with low enrollments (100 or less students) are encouraged to present one project for the school.

If there is an arts teacher in the relative field involved, that teacher should participate in the design and implementation of the project.

At least 75% of the funds awarded should be budgeted to artist’s fees.

Project Evaluation:
All grant recipients will be required to submit a project evaluation report upon completion of the project. The evaluation will describe how students and teachers have learned from the project, how the arts have been integrated into the curriculum, and how the project has helped the school further the Maine Learning Results.

How To Apply:
The grant application form can be downloaded here. Applications for grants should be forwarded by email to pcleghorn@mainecf.org or by fax to 773-8832.

When To Apply:
Applications must be submitted by 5:00 PM, January 31. Awards will be announced in mid-February. All applicants will receive notice upon receipt of the application and of the committee’s final decisions

If you have questions or would like to discuss an idea before submitting a proposal, please feel free to contact Pam Cleghorn in the Portland office via email or by phone at 207/761-2440.

Another Arts Teachers’ Story: Alice Sullivan

Featuring one teacher’s journey as an arts educator

This is the second in a series of blog posts telling arts teachers’ stories. This series contains a set of questions to provide the opportunity for you to read their stories and to learn from others. This post features Alice Sullivan who has been teaching music for 27 years. Alice is one of the Maine Arts Assessment Initiative’s Teacher Leaders, Phase I, and represents the region of Washington County.

Alice is currently teaching, grades K-12, at Woodland Jr. Sr. High School, Woodland Elementary School and Princeton Elementary School. She has been there for 6 years teaching 200 students, band program grades 4-12, some classroom music K-4 and junior high general music, digital arts class and music theory at the high school, and one small elementary chorus.

What do you like best about being a music/art/drama/dance educator?

I really like the opportunity to use my organizational skills in an environment where I can also be creative. The music room is a great place to find a balance between hard and fast standards and finding numerous ways of meeting those standards. Twenty seven years of concerts with no two being the same, but every year I strive to provide every student with the same well rounded music education.

Tell me what you think are three keys to ANY successful arts ed program?

•  a commitment to stretching the limits (your own and those around you)
• a belief that what you do is important
• enough confidence in your skills to take risks

What specific way(s) do your assessment practices tie into the success of your program?

Developing solid assessment practices sends the message to those around you that you believe your program is valuable and worthy of reflection. This instills a sense of importance in your students and as a result they strive to reach higher goals. I often say to my students – “who wants to belong to the good enough club”? An assessment is a tangible way for my students to prove the level they have attained, to themselves and others.

What have been the benefits in becoming involved in the arts assessment initiative?

There have been so many benefits to being part of the arts assessment initiative. The first that comes to mind is the great opportunity to network with other educators. It has also helped to keep assessment practices foremost in my daily teaching. With so many things to do each week, priorities become a necessity. Having weekly connections through the arts initiative wiki has ensured that assessments make my priority list.

What are you most proud of in your career?

I’ve always believed that music is a gift that all students can and should receive. My classes have always been available to all students. I’m most proud of the moments when the reluctant musicians realized they did have musical talent.

What gets in the way of being a better teacher or doing a better job as a teacher?

SLEEP!

Apple or PC?

Both – depends on the job I want to get done.

What have you accomplished through hard work and determination that might otherwise appear at first glance to be due to “luck” or circumstances?

Exceptional concerts are a reflection of hard work and determination. A good performance is often attributed to talent or “good” students. I believe even very young and inexperienced performers can present quality programs with hard work and determination.

Look into your crystal ball: what advice would you give to teachers?

Enjoy what you do. Focus on the positive forces in your environment and link arms with those who also have a positive outlook.

If you were given a $500,000.00 to do with whatever you please, what would it be?

I would travel. I want to see the world and share those experiences with the people around me.

This is a link to the wiki that Alice created that includes her marvelous resources: https://meaningfulassessments.wikispaces.com/. If you have comments or questions for Alice please put them in the “comment” section below.

Thank you Alice for telling your story!