Newsletter #24 - January 1, 2008
HAPPY NEW YEAR! I hope you had a wonderful vacation! I enjoyed visiting with family and I am LOVING the snow! I hope you are as well.
ARTS, INNOVATION AND CREATIVITY INSTITUTE
On April 6 and 7, 2008 Maine Learning Technology Initiative (MLTI) is sponsoring “Arts, Innovation and Creativity” Institute at the Samoset in Rockport. We are looking for presenters who are interested in facilitating a workshop that includes a connection between one or more of the arts with one or more Maine Learning Results content that uses technology. The Call for Presenters form is attached and needs to be returned by January 10th. This is a great opportunity to share the good work you do in your classrooms throughout Maine.
ARTS EDUCATION WEB PAGE AT THE MAINE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
The ARTS EDUCATION webpage at the Department of Education is now available at http://www.maine.gov/education/lres/vpa/ or you can access it through the MLR page at http://www.maine.gov/education/lres/pei/index.html
Please book mark the first link since the information will be changing periodically as new information and resources become available.
At the Arts Ed webpage you can find information on the following:
• MAINE LEARNING RESULTS
• DIGITAL CAMERAS AVAILABLE TO BORROW
• ARTS BLOG
• PORTAPORTAL
NEWSLETTER
- The newsletter this week is going to 595 readers. This is an increase of 1 from the last newsletter. The 600th subscriber will receive a prize.
If you know of someone who would like to receive the newsletter please have them email me at: argy.nestor@maine.gov
TeLL- PLEASE PARTICIPATE
Please be sure to participate in the Teaching, Leading and Learning Survey (TeLL). The purpose is to gather information about school climate from practicing educators. This is a great opportunity for all arts educators to communicate and give input. The Maine Department of Education and the Maine Education Association is working with the New Teacher Center at the University of California at Santa Cruz to conduct the survey. Educators can respond to the TeLL online until January 18, and responses will be anonymous and confidential. For more information about the survey, please visit: http://TELLMaine.org
MAINE ALLIANCE FOR ARTS EDUCATION AWARDS
Just a reminder that nominations are being accepted for the MAAE awards until January 10th! The awards recognize those who are making a difference to arts education for Maine students. You can nominate teachers, artists, administrators, community supporters, parents, and schools. For info and nomination forms go to www.maineartseducation.org
MAINE TEACHER OF THE YEAR
Last year we had four arts teachers nominated for Maine Teacher of the Year. Arts educators have so much to be proud of when it comes to the impact we have on student development. I urge you to nominate an arts teachers for the honor of Maine Teacher of the Year. The deadline for nominations is February 15th. Please email me if you’d like more information.
2008 WINDSOR FAIR DESIGN CONTEST
$1000.00 will be awarded to the artist whose design is selected to use on posters and t-shirts. The deadline for work is January 31st. Please contact Julie Browne for more information windsorfair@gwi.net, with Windsor Fair Artwork in the subject line. This is a great opportunity for you or your students!
UK
In The Observer, December 9, 2007 edition, an article written by Vanessa Thorpe and Nicholas Watt stated that the government of Britain pledged that every child in Britain will have the chance to experience the arts directly as part of their school routine, with five hours of cultural learning and activity every week. James Purnell, Cultural Secretary, told The Observer: “We will be announcing in the Children's Plan that we want to move towards five hours of culture to match what is available in sport, giving young people the chance to develop both as critical spectators and practitioners.” To read the article in its entirety please read the attached (available in word and .rft).
CRITICAL LINKS
Arts Education Partnership has a Critical Link newsletter which you can subscribe to or you can just read the newsletter online. For more information please click on
http://www.aep-arts.org/aboutus/cl.htm
ARTIST
Henry Wolyniec, Visual Artist from Portland, offers workshops for students in K-12 on the use of comics as an artist medium. He has done workshops ranging from one day to a five week course. If you’d like more information please contact Henry at henryw@maine.rr.com or 772-4146
CREATIVE ECONOMY
With the support from the Maine Arts Commission, the New England Foundation for the Arts published a creative economy report that you can access by clicking here: The Creative Economy: A New Definition.
The report proposes a standard research methodology and core definition of New Englands creative economy that could be employed throughout the US.
QUOTE OF THE NEWSLETTER
“Some people think music education is a privilege, but I think it’s essential to being human.”
- Jewel – singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist
British Education Article
