Newsletter #25 - January 15, 2008
GREETINGS FROM ARGY’S CUBBY with a view of the STATE HOUSE DOME at the Department of Education
ARTS NEWS
This week’s news is plentiful! I hope you are enjoying the snowy winter! Thank you to all of you that sent me information! Welcome to the many new newsletter subscribers!
DOE ARTS EDUCATION WEBSITE
Please check out the arts education web page on the Department of Education website at http://www.maine.gov/education/lres/vpa/
NEWSLETTER
WHOOOOOOO HOOOOOOO! This edition of the newsletter is going to 614 readers, an increase of 19 from the last newsletter. As promised the 600th subscriber is receiving a prize. Congratulations CAROL WALDRON! And a big THANK YOU to Darrell Bulmer from the Maine Arts Commission who mentioned the arts ed newsletter in the MAC newsletter inviting people to subscribe. Back issues are located at http://mailman.informe.org/pipermail/doe-arts/
If you know of someone who would like to receive the newsletter please have them email me at: argy.nestor@maine.gov
MAINE ALLIANCE FOR ARTS EDUCATION
Creative students in an idea filled environment charged with excitement! On Monday, January 7th I attended an outstanding Career in the Arts Day sponsored by Maine Alliance for Arts Education. One hundred and thirty six students and their teachers from fifteen high schools and two middle schools from three counties attended the Arts and Technology conference at UMaine. The keynote address was given by Linda Nelson, founding Executive Director for Opera House Arts at the 1912 Stonington Opera House. Workshop sessions included 3D Modeling, Character Animation, Commercial Photography, Digital Art/Film, Documentary Films, New Media Arts, Radio Host, Theater Technology, Theater/Web Design, and Video Game Design. It was a success!
MUSIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS
The talent search is on once again for “The Best High School Rock Band in the State of Maine.” The 24th Annual Reindeer Rock-Off is open to original high school bands from across the state. Deadline for registration is February 22nd.
The winning band will receive $1000.00 plus recording studio time from Tonezone. For more information and a registration packet please contact Reindeer at 857-9002 or email events@reindeergroup.org
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MUSIC EDUCATORS
- Maine Band Directors’ Forum will take place on Sunday, January 20th at 2:00 PM at Bowdoin College, Room 106, Bannister located in the back end of the chapel. For more information please contact John Morneau at jmorneau@u74.k12.e.us
OPPORTUNITIES FOR ART TEACHERS AND STUDENTS
- Cabot Mill Gallery and Studio in Brunswick is offering several classes for adults. During February School Vacation Week several classes are being offered for students. To learn more about their offerings please go to cabotgallery@suscom-maine.net
- Art Talk Gardiner is a series on Sunday’s, 4-5:30, sponsored by Gardiner Savings Bank of Maine and organized by Artdogs. The first session is on January 27th presented by watercolorist John Carnew and entitled: “A brief overview of the History of Watercolor and influences on his work.” For more information please contact Karen Adrienne at karenadrien@yahoo.com
BAY CHAMBER CONCERTS
- On Sunday, February 10 from 1:00-4:00 PM join Libana at the Rockport Opera House for a community sing. Libana is a women's world music ensemble based in Boston. During the workshop, participants will learn rounds and chants from many cultures around the world. Open to all levels. To participate, call the bay Chamber Concerts box office at 207-236-2823. Tickets are $10 for individuals and $20 for families. Educational group rates are available. Libana will appear in concert at the Camden Opera House at 7:30 p.m., February 9. For more information please go to http://www.baychamberconcerts.org/index.cfm
- Next Generation Youth Chamber Music Program – One week for Maine residents, 11-20 years old. Participants are selected by audition for wind, string, brass, piano and vocal applicants and pre-formed ensemble groups. Application deadline is February 1st. The program takes place August 11-15th. Please contact Allison Lakin, 236-2823 for more information.
- Young Stars of Maine Prize Program – Serious Maine residents, ages 12-25 are eligible to apply for a music prize of $1000.00. The six classical prizes cover solo voice, piano, woodwinds, brass, string and chamber music ensembles; the jazz prize is open to solo musicians or ensembles. Application deadline is May 9th. Please contact Allison Lakin, 236-2823 for more information.
FUNDING
- New Arts Education Grant Opportunities
The U.S. Department of Education announced a new Professional Development for Arts Educators (PDAE) grant competition. Local education agencies are eligible to apply, in partnership with local non-profits, museums, arts education associations, theaters, libraries, and community or faith-based organizations. The grants are estimated to be about $200,000 per year, for up to four years. They will be awarding about 30 grants and the deadline for Intent to Apply is February 11 and deadline for Applications is February 29, 2008. The awardees will be announced in the early summer. For further information please go to
http://www.ed.gov/fund/grant/find/edlite-forecast.html#chart5
- At this not-for-profit web site, teachers submit project proposals for materials or experiences their students need to learn. These ideas become classroom reality when concerned individuals, who are called Citizen Philanthropists, choose projects to fund. For more information please go to www.donorchoose.org
RECOGNIZE ARTS EDUCATORS
- MAAE has extended the deadline for the Arts Education Awards Nominations. Deadline is January 18th. For more information please go to http://www.maineartseducation.org/
- The U.S. Department of Education's Teacher-to-Teacher Initiative is accepting nominations for 2008 American Stars of Teaching until March 31. Parents, students, colleagues, school administrators and others can
nominate an exemplary teacher who they believe has the qualities to be
an American Star of Teaching. To nominate a teacher please go to
http://www.ed.gov/teachers/how/tools/initiative/index.html
UPCOMING EVENTS
- District III Music High School Festival at Cony High School, Saturday, January 26th, 3:00. You can purchase tickets at the door for $4.00.
- Midcoast Symphony Concert, Lewiston, Saturday, January 19th, 7:30 and Topsham, Sunday, January 20th, 2:30. 21 and under admitted free, $14.00. For more information please go to http://www.midcoastsymphony.org
GREAT WEBSITE
Please check out this amazing website that Sheila Bohlin sent called ARTNATOMY http://www.artnatomia.net/uk/artnatomy.html
LEARNING AND GIVING
Free Rice
How to Play:
Click on the answer that best defines the word
If you get it right, you get a harder word. If wrong, you get an easier word.
For each word you get right, we donate 20 grains of rice to the United Nations World Food Program.
For more information please go to www.freerice.com
KOREAN STUDIES FOR SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHERS
An opportunity for 100 grades 6-12 social studies teachers and administrators to participate in a 12 day all expenses paid workshop in Korea. The deadline for applications is February 22nd. For more information and the application please go to http://www.iie.org/ksw or call 1-800-270-4317.
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
