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Parameters for Essential Instruction > Content Area Specific > Visual and Performing Arts > News > Letter 18

ARTS NEWSLETTER #18 – 16 October 2007

GREETINGS FROM ARGY’S CUBBY with a view of the STATE HOUSE DOME at the Department of Education

ARTS NEWS

The most magnificent news is about the state-wide arts education conference AT THE CREATIVE CENTER, THE ARTS IN MAINE SCHOOLS that was held on October 5 and 6th at the Samoset Resort in Rockport.  Three hundred educators attended and I am sorry to say that we turned away another two hundred.  Some of the highlights:

  1. Welcome by Commissioner Susan Gendron and First Lady Karen Baldacci
  2. Keynote by CT Arts Consultant, Scott Shuler
  3. 54 varied and dynamic workshops
  4. Farnsworth Art Museum reception with performances by Karen Montanaro and Camden Hill High School students
  5. Downeast Brass Quintet and Planet Pan steel drums performances
  6. Eric Hopkins’ moving presentation
  7. Opportunities to network with old friends and meet new people
  8. Presentations on the Census project, the 21st Century proposal and Maine Learning Results (more on these later in newsletter)
  9. Exhibitors
  10. Door prizes and fun for everyone

Presentation - in PDF

Anonymous quotes from conference participants:

  • “ I made many personal and professional connections that have reenergized my commitment to arts education. The amount of resources and information was phenomenal”.
  •  “I come back with so many great ideas and inspirational words- I am definitely charged up and ready to go again!” 
  • “It was such a pleasure to present to such tremendous educators. I truly enjoyed the day---presenting, meeting with other teachers, key note speaker, and going to Session I and II---“
  • “…without a doubt, and without exaggeration, this was the single BEST conference I have ever attended.  Having the chance to get together with other passionate arts people was especially powerful, I think, because most of us work in isolation and are often seen as "fringe" teachers.  This weekend put us in the center.”
  • “I cannot thank you enough for bringing in Eric Hopkins as the closing keynoter.  Not only is his artwork amazing and powerful, but also the heartfelt narrative that accompanied his slides hit me, full on, in my core.  I was in tears at the end, and I could barely breathe from the internal impact of his message.  What an incredible person, and an inspiring, important message to end the weekend on.  Thank you for putting in front of us a man with such beautiful, awe-inspiring, natural gifts and with a refreshing "lens" on life.  If only all DOE conferences could have the same resonance.”
  • “I certainly agree with Rob Westerberg's assessment of this as "a landmark event".”
  • “I left feeling energized, the brain and the body were working again.  Some "lightbulbs" went on at the end while watching and listening to PLANET PAN. I saw a coach and players in a game. I'm sure this realization is probably nothing new, but it hit me - We really are a great group of people and are  an essential part of a child’s life.”

Thank you to the presenters who gave of their time, thanks to those who attended and the emails of support that followed.  The conference planning committee did an incredible job during the last several months.  A HUGE NOTE OF APPRECIATION FOR THEIR HOURS OF WORK AND PASSIONATE DEDICATION THEY BROUGHT TO THE CONFERENCE…

  • Maine Alliance for Arts Education: Carol Trimble, Susan Potters and Elizabeth Watson
  • Maine Music Educators: Mike Davis and Laura Artesani
  • Maine Art Education Association: Suzanne Goulet and Shalimar Poulin
  • VSAarts of Maine: Rachel Spatz
  • Dance Educators of Maine: Erma Colvin
  • Maine Drama Council: Doug Clapp and Rick Osann

The evaluations are still being collated.  If you have any comments on the conference, ideas for the future or would like to help future professional development opportunities, please contact me argy.nestor@maine.gov

NEWSLETTER
WOW…. this electronic arts education newsletter is going to 540 readers.  This is an increase of 12 from the last newsletter.  If you are interested in reviewing back issues of the newsletter click on: http://mailman.informe.org/pipermail/doe-arts/
I know there many new teachers so please ask them to contact me argy.nestor@maine.gov so they can receive the news.

MAINE LEARNING RESULTS – CHAPTER 132
The Maine State Board of Education met last week and unanimously approved the comprehensive Learning Results:  Parameters for Essential Instruction.  This document (Maine Department of Education Regulation 132) is in essence the replacement for the 1997 MLR (the purple book) and includes the Visual and Performing Arts segment of the Maine Learning Results.  Anita Bernhardt gave a short presentation at the state-wide arts education conference and participants were asked to give feedback and ask questions about the VPA segment.  To download the last revisions from 08/16/07 please click on http://www.maine.gov/education/lres/review/peigr.html

 

STATE-WIDE ARTS EDUCATION CENSUS PROJECT
At the conference, researcher and author, Dr. Dennie Palmer Wolf gave an overview of the three-year census project that begins this fall.  Dr. Wolf is the director of the Anneberg Institute for School Reform at Brown University and lead consultant on Maine’s census project.  Information will be collected to learn about Maine’s arts education programs.  Please read the attached document to learn more.  At the state-wide arts conference participants were asked to give feed-back on the questionnaire.  NJ just completed a census and their information is posted at http://www.artsjournal.com/artfulmanager/main/074140.php

What’s the State of Arts Education in Maine?

Over the next three years, Maine arts educators will have an important opportunity to take stock of what they have been able to achieve ­ and what goals they want to set for themselves and their communities in the coming years.... see complete article

 

21ST CENTURY EDUCATION
On Sept. 27th Commissioner Gendron invited leaders from throughout Maine for an educational summit. The summit was called “Refining Our Vision for Maine’s Secondary Education Forum on 21st Century Skills”.  Leaders from the arts education community attended to learn about the proposal and give feedback.  This information was shared at the state-wide arts education conference and feedback was collected.  The attached power point is a shortened version (from Sept. 27th) for you to review.  Your feedback is appreciated so please fill out the attached “feedback form” and send it to me by Friday, October 19th argy.nestor@maine.gov Please keep in mind that this is a proposal.

Feedback - in RTF

INTERESTED IN TRAVELING TO JAPAN AT NO COST?
The Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund (JFMF) Teacher Program is seeking educators to apply for an all expense three-week trip to Japan during ‘08.  If selected you would travel to Japan with other US educators and learn about the educational system, culture and history.  You would visit schools, see Japanese performances, and have a short family stay.  I participated in 2000 and urge you to apply and would be glad to answer your questions.  You can seek more information and apply on line at www.iie.org/jfmf - the deadline is December 10th.

CONFERENCES

  • "Crossroads for Community Arts" conference: Thursday, October 18th in downtown Lewiston. This is the first conference for Community Arts field in recent memory.  For more information please go to www.fiveriversartsalliance.org
  • “Too Cool For School?” conference: Saturday, October 27th at Cony High School, Augusta, 8-2:00. The Maine Council for English Language Arts (MCELA) is the hosting the annual event.  If you have questions, please contact Patsy Dunton at patsy.dunton@maine.gov For more information please go to http://www.usm.maine.edu/smp/meetings.htm
  • “No Citizen Left Behind” one-day conference, two different locations,  Thursday and Friday, November 1st and 2nd.  For more information please go to http://www.maine.gov/education/calendar/calendar-full.shtml
  • “Juice: Powering the Creative Economy” conference: November 16th and 17th in Rockland and Camden.  For more information please go to www.juiceconference.org

PORTA PORTAL
Interested in looking at a variety of websites on many different arts related topics?  Please check out my Porta Portal.  I recently added several sites and categories.  It is filled with websites of arts and education resources and continues to be a ‘work in progress’.  Please feel free to use it as a guest by going to http://portaportal.com  On the right side of the screen under the words “Guest Access” type in: meartsed.

MAINE ART TEACHERS FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM
Design an individualized course of study that will provide you the opportunity to immerse yourself in your creative work.  This opportunity is sponsored by the Maine Alliance for Arts Education and the Maine Community Foundation.  Potential applicants must call MAAE between now and November 16th to discuss your idea.  Please find more information on the MAAE website http://www.maineartseducation.org/

MAINE ARTS COMMISSION

If you have questions please contact Tina Mann tina.p.mann@maine.gov

  • Paul Faria, Arts in Education Associate, is on medical leave.  If you’d like to send Paul a card, please contact me for his mailing address.

MAINE STATE LIBRARY
Recently the Maine State Library was presented a request proposal to purchase the annual portfolio from Hand Papermaking journal.  The collection contains 20 artists’ works, statements and explanations of techniques and processes of calligraphy on handmade paper.  Please contact the state coordinator louise.hinckley@maine.gov if you think this art resource would be of value to you in your teaching.  If you have questions please contact Chris Higgins, art teacher, Cony High School at chiggins@augustaschools.org

TEACH VISUAL ART?

  • The Farnsworth Art Museum is currently looking for art educators for our upcoming art camps.  Instructors will work with students age 7-11 during vacation weeks in February and April.  Interested art educators should contact the Education Department at 207-594-4299 for more information or email Erin Brainerd at ebrainerd@farnsworthmuseum.org
  • Bangor School Department is looking for a ceramic artist to work with PreK- grade 3 students.  If interested or you’d like more information please contact Wendy Libby wlibby@bangorschools.nte

OPPORTUNITY
Recently a letter was forwarded to me describing a non-profit organization that has just received funding to expand their work into Maine.  I looked at the website http://www.donorschoose.org and you might want to as well.  They are dedicated to addressing the scarcity and inequitable distribution of learning materials and experiences in public schools.  You can apply for funds or it might be of interest for a community service project.

DANCER
Jessamyn Schmidt is passionate about dance and movement. She is available to teach, perform and choreograph.  She has had experience teaching modern dance, improvisation, creative movement, jazz, Flamenco, and African to movers of all ages in a variety of settings including local studios, preschools, high schools, and universities.   Currently, Jessamyn resides in Portland and teaches at University of Southern Maine and New Dance Studio.  For more information, please visit http://mainearts.maine.gov/directory/directory.asp and search “Jessamyn Schmidt”.

WORKSHOPS
Rebecca Goodale will be teaching a one day workshop in Freeport on Saturday,
October 20th.  Cost will be $95.00 which includes all materials.  For more information please contact cat@studioonthehill.biz or call Cat at 865-0605.

MAYHEM POETS
Opportunities are still available for the Mayhem Poets to work in the schools on November 16th and potentially on November 15th if there is enough interest.  For more information please contact Barri Lynn Moreau barri.lynn.moreau@juno.com

QUOTE OF THE NEWSLETTER
African proverb: “A single bracelet does not jingle”.