IEA Newsletter for Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Welcome to the Institute for Education and the Arts' newsletter for Wednesday, March 26, 2008. The newsletter is published each Wednesday to the IEA listserv and archived on the IEA blog at http://edartsinstitute.blogspot.com.

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OPERA ON THE BIG SCREEN
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LIVE OPERA MOVIES AT THE MET
Joann Klimkiewicz, Hartford (CT) Courant, 3/21/08
“The crowd hums, then hushes as the signature chandeliers of the Metropolitan Opera House rise to the ceiling. Lights dimmed, a conductor with wild white hair takes the podium. A hearty stretch of applause, and then the audience settles down and settles in for the near four-hour operatic affair ahead … They're eased into in a pair of reclining movie theater seats in a packed auditorium at their local Regal Cinemas, watching a live broadcast performance of the contemporary opera "Peter Grimes." The air smells of hot butter, and every once in a while is heard the noisy crinkle of candy wrappers … This is the Met's "Live in HD" series, one of several digital endeavors the company embarked on last year to dust off its stale image. Transmitted around the world in real time, the high-definition broadcasts aim to reinvigorate a centuries-old art form and extend its reach to newer, broader audiences. The company is also broadcasting on Sirius Satellite Radio, posting live audio streams on its website and offering digital downloads of opera recordings on Rhapsody's online music service. In the midst of its second season, early signs point to a success even the company hadn't anticipated.”
Read more: http://www.courant.com/features/lifestyle/hc-metopera0321.artmar21,0,7718567.story


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ARTS EDUCATION
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A PUSH TO BRING BACK ARTS IN SCHOOLS
Peter Dobrin, Philadelphia Inquirer, 3/25/08
“Someone finally is taking on the job of returning arts education to Philadelphia children. The William Penn Foundation convened [120 arts] leaders to begin what promises to be one of the most important initiatives in the city's history. It will be an expensive and possibly politically fraught process. But there seems to be an acknowledgment that the little fixes (better marketing, cheaper seats, more populist repertoire) are no longer working. The time has come to think long term, difficult as it may be. No one knows what form the solution will take, but the process is going forward confidently with a series of workshops and discussions. William Penn hopes to have a blueprint for a program within six to nine months. Presumably, though it hasn't said so, the foundation will also put its money behind the idea. Whether it comes in the size of one of its usual grants, or on the extraordinary scale of its 1996 gift to Fairmount Park ($26.4 million), remains to be seen.”
Read more: http://www.philly.com/inquirer/magazine/20080325_A_push_to_bring_back_arts_in_schools.html

ARTS-THEMED SCHOOLS BENEFIT STUDENTS, RAISE QUESTIONS
Halley Bondy, Backstage.com, 3/19/08
“Bronx Theatre [High School] is one of 15 arts-themed public schools in New York that have opened since 2003 and is part of the city's New Century High Schools Initiative, which converts large failing schools into smaller schools with themes ranging from the arts to finance to aeronautics. It is also part of a national trend. The Coalition of Essential Schools, a nonprofit school reform organization in Oakland, Calif., has affiliated performing-arts schools in New York and Massachusetts. The Animo Film & Theater Arts Charter High School was opened in Los Angeles in 2006 by Green Dot Public Schools … In 1998, a study conducted in part by the National Endowment for the Arts and the U.S. Department of Justice found significant decreases in crime among at-risk, low-income students who were involved with arts programs. These students also showed an ‘increased ability to work on tasks from start to finish, which is vital for both educational and vocational success,’ according to the study, the YouthARTS Development Project.”
Learn more: http://www.backstage.com/bso/news_reviews/nyc/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003727915

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ARTS EDUCATION SYMPOSIUM
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ARTS EDUCATION: TAKING STOCK OF THE FUTURE
Barbard Auditorium, U.S. Department of Education, 6/24/08
Arts Education Partnership
“This one-day symposium will engage participants in an interactive discussion of major advances in arts education that have occurred since the Arts Education Partnership was founded and in recommending areas of focus and actions needed to advance the field in the future.”
Learn more: http://www.aep-arts.org/forums/savethedate_june2008.pdf?PHPSESSID=66b28271c9534ad163402c5b5fa9978c

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SPECIAL CALENDAR EVENTS
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THEATRE IN OUR SCHOOLS MONTH
American Alliance for Theatre and Education (AATE), 3/08
"We know that Theatre and Drama are essential in the lives of students year round, but March is a great time to celebrate and increase public awareness of the important impact of Theatre In Our Schools."
Learn more: http://www.aate.com/tios.asp

MUSIC IN OUR SCHOOLS MONTH
Music Educators' National Conference (MENC), 3/08
Visit MENC's Web site to learn more about how to celebrate and advocate for strong music education programs in March and throughout the year. This year's theme is "Music Touches Lives."
For more information: http://www.menc.org/guides/miosm/MIOSMFront.html

MARCH FOR ARTS EDUCATION
Douglas Gould & Co./Keep Arts in Schools, 3/08
Visit this site for advocacy tools and gain inspiration from how other communities are marking the occasion.
Learn more: http://www.keepartsinschools.org/Advocacy_Day/index.php

21ST ANNUAL ARTS ADVOCACY DAY
Americans for the Arts, 3/31 – 4/1/08, Washington, DC
“The 21st annual Arts Advocacy Day is the only national event that brings together a broad cross section of America’s cultural and civic organizations, along with hundreds of grassroots advocates from across the country, to underscore the importance of developing strong public policies and appropriating increased public funding for the arts. LEARN how to lobby Congress. NETWORK with other attendees from your state and across the country. BE HEARD by your members of Congress when you visit them to make the case for the arts and arts education.” Dan Pink, author of A Whole New Mind, is a featured speaker.
Learn more: http://www.artsusa.org/events/2008/aad/default.asp


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GRANTS, AWARDS, AND CONTESTS
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PARTNERS IN EDUCATION GRANT PROGRAM
National Guild of Community Schools of the Arts/MetLife Partners in Arts Education
Deadline: 5/23/08
Grant Award: Up to $20,000
“The goal of the National Guild of Community Schools of the Arts/MetLife Foundation Partners in Arts Education Grant Program is to enhance arts learning in K­–12 Public Schools (PS) by supporting exemplary Community School of the Arts (CSA)/PS partnerships which serve large numbers of public school students during the school day or extended day, exemplify best practices in creating and sustaining effective partnerships, provide pedagogically-sound arts education experiences, prioritize student learning and achievement in the arts, and address national, state, and/or local arts education standards.” See Web site for list of eligible communities.
Learn more: http://www.nationalguild.org/programs/partners.htm

THEATRE IN OUR SCHOOLS ESSAY CONTEST
American Alliance of Theatre Education
Open to K-12 Students
Deadline: 3/31/08 ****coming soon!***
“AATE is holding its second annual Theatre in our Schools Essay Contest as part of a nationwide search for powerful stories about the positive impact of theatre on the lives of students.” View topics by grade on the AATE Web site.
Learn more: http://www.aate.com/TIOSEssayContest.html

AMERICAN STARS OF TEACHING
An Initiative of the U.S. Department of Education
Deadline: 3/31/08 ***coming soon***
Award: Recognition to one teacher per state and the District of Columbia
“American Stars recognizes and honors superior teachers with a track record of improving student achievement, using innovative instructional strategies, and making a difference in the lives of their students. These teachers will be highlighted as representatives of the thousands of teachers who are making a difference in the classroom. The next group of American Stars of Teaching will be identified in each state and the District of Columbia and will represent all grade levels and disciplines. Officials from the U.S. Department of Education will again be visiting the classes of each American Star to congratulate them on their success.”
Learn more: https://www.t2tweb.us/AmStar/About.asp

ING UNSUNG HEROES
ING
Deadline: 4/30/08
Awards: $2,000 - $25,000
“Are you an educator with a class project that is short on funding but long on potential? Do you know a teacher looking for grant dollars? ING Unsung Heroes® could help you turn great ideas into reality for students. For more than 10 years, and with $2.8 million in awarded grants, ING Unsung Heroes has proven to be an A+ program with educators. The program’s “alumni” have inspired success in the classroom and impacted countless numbers of students. Each year, 100 educators are selected to receive $2,000 to help fund their innovative class projects. Three of those are chosen to receive the top awards of an additional $5,000, $10,000 and $25,000.”
Apply online: http://www.ing-usa.com/us/aboutING/communityconnections/ineducation/unsungheroes/index.htm

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