Fine Arts Newsletter - March 2020

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March Newsletter



OSDE Update

The Oklahoma Academic Standards for Fine Arts have been approved by the State Board of Education. The standards will now move to the legislature for approval. Thank you to the many fine arts educators who have worked tirelessly to see this through! Upon legislative approval, educators may begin implementing the new dance, drama/theatre, music, and visual art standards during the 2020-21 school year. 

There is a new calendar on the fine arts web site with events happening across the state. If your organization has events happening this spring, please send them to elizabeth.maughan@sde.ok.gov and your event will be added to the state Fine Arts Events Calendar. Thank you!

Kodály Grant

PK-8 music educators - the Kodaly Grant application will close at midnight on March 31, 2020. Notification of awards will be emailed on April 15, 2020. For more information, read the bulletin here

youth arts day

Youth Arts Day 2020

Due to capitol construction, OSDE is encouraging districts to hold their own Youth Arts Month celebrations! The official day that we would like to recognize fine arts programs is Friday, March 6th, 2020. However, your school and district may hold celebrations throughout the month whenever it is convenient for you. 

We have created graphics for schools and districts to use as they celebrate dance, drama/theatre, music, and visual art education. Please feel free to use these for promotional materials, concert programs, art displays, etc. 

Youth Arts Day Logos

As you make plans for your Youth Arts Day, remember to invite your legislators to any events. The legislature is in session in March, but with enough notice, many Senators and Representatives are willing to be home on Fridays in March for events in their district. You can find your Senators and Representatives here: http://www.oklegislature.gov/ 

Be sure to send a personal mailed invitation from yourself and your students - a physical invitation will have a greater impact than an email invitation. 

As you host art shows, school singalongs, concerts, etc., tag your social media posts so we can easily see all the great things happening in our state!

#okfinearts  #okyouthartsday  #oklaed

Good Reads

Remembering the OKC Bombing Through Art

Borrowing a Literacy Strategy From Band Class


"In the Middle of the West" - Oklahoma City Bombing Play

Mr. Steve Gilroy is a playwright and professor from the UK who specializes in verbatim theatre. In 2015, Mr. Steve Gilroy created a verbatim play "In the Middle of the West," with the help of the Oklahoma City University theatre department. 

"In the Middle of the West" is available for FREE to any drama/theatre educator in Oklahoma who would like to read the play in class (readers theatre) or launch a stage performance. With the 25th anniversary on April 19th, 2020, it is an appropriate time to bring awareness of the event to current Oklahoma students. 

On Friday, March 27th, administrators and drama/theatre educators will have the opportunity to hear from Mr. Gilroy and discuss the play and verbatim theatre. 

If you would like to be a part of the discussion, the event will be held at Oklahoma City Metro Technology Center: Springlake Campus, Economic Development Center (1700 Springlake Drive, Oklahoma City, OK 73111) at 1 PM on March 27th. Please complete a free registration if you are planning to attend. 

More information about "In the Middle of the West" can be found on OKCU's website: https://www.okcu.edu/theatre/oklahoma-bombing-project/  The video documentary is quite moving and shows the creative process of verbatim theatre.  


Oklahoma International Dance Festival - Professional Development for Dance Educators

Dance Fest logo

Looking to take your dance classroom program to the next level?

This is definitely the place for you! Learn from some of the very best directors and performers in the field, while also observing how they work professionally.

  • 3-day Professional Development Program
  • Observe and participate in the  classes and rehearsals at OIDF
  • Participate in the Professional Development workshop for dance teachers
  • Interact in various Panel Discussions with the International Faculty

July 26-29, 2020 (Arrive July 26, depart July 29).

Quartz Mountain Resort Arts and Conference Center

For more information, visit the Oklahoma International Dance Festival site.

Dance Fest Idance Fest II

OKC Prism Project - Arts Camp for Students with Special Needs

The 2020 Prism Project OKC will be held at Oklahoma City University in the Wanda Bass School of Music, June 9-12 and June 15-20, 2020. Selected students with special needs will attend daily classes in art, music, dance, and drama/theatre from 10 AM-12 PM. Students will be supervised by their teachers in each arts discipline and by special education teacher volunteers. Each student will be paired with a "buddy" who will go through classes with the student every day. The buddies are pre-approved high school students, college students, or other adult professionals who meet certain criteria.

On Saturday, June 20th, students participating in Prism Project OKC will give a live performance titled "This is Me." Family, friends, and other supporters are welcome to attend the final performance starting at 11 AM and celebrate their child's accomplishments.

For more information or to submit a student or buddy application, visit the Prism Project website.

Prism Project Flyer

Oklahoma Student Art Exhibition (OSAE)

Online registration for the Oklahoma Student Art Exhibition (OSAE) will open at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 4. This free program of the Oklahoma State Fair provides the opportunity for Oklahoma Arts Students from pre-K – 12th grades to have their art viewed by thousands of people during the Fair. In addition, $6,500 in cash and Hobby Lobby cards will be awarded to participating schools. The first 10 schools to complete their registrations will each earn a $100 Hobby Lobby card to use for art supplies.

To make it easier for schools across the state to participate, there are now five Districts for take-in and judging. Sites include Enid, Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Ada and Duncan. Go to www.okstatefair.com and click on the blue menu bars.  Go to “Oklahoma Student Art Exhibition” under “Competitions” for full information and to register. The deadline for registration is April 20 at 5:00 p.m.


Summer Professional Development

Add these events to your calendar now and make plans to attend! 

Culturally Responsive Teaching in the Elementary Music Classroom

  • Date: June 3-4, 2020
  • Location: Oklahoma City
  • Cost: Free! $25/hr stipend to attendees and hotel reimbursement
  • Presenters: Dr. Gaile Stephens, Mr. Jeremy Thomas, and Dr. Tracey Gregg-Boothby
  • Details: More information and an application will be coming soon! 

Summer Kodaly Workshop - Rebecca Juarez

  • Date: June 19, 2020
  • Location: OU Catlett School of Music
  • Cost: $15 for members, $30 for non-members, students free
  • Presenter: Rebecca Juarez, Kodaly Educators of Texas (KET) 
  • Details: More information coming soon 

Orff Alive!

  • Date: July 1-2, 2020
  • Location: Zarrow International School, Tulsa
  • Cost: Free!
  • Presenters: A call for presentations will be announced this spring
  • Details: For early registration, contact Rhonda Wyble at orffalive@gmail.com

Oklahoma Choral Directors Convention

Oklahoma Band Directors Convention

Engage OK 2020

  • July 13 - Woodward High School 
  • July 14 - Jenks High School
  • July 15 - Durant High School
  • July 16 - Clinton High School
  • July 21 - Oklahoma City Public Schools
    • Cost: FREE at every site! 
    • Details: More information on Fine Arts sessions coming soon

Oklahoma State Superintendent’s Art Gallery Schedule

March 2-31 - Youth Arts Month, OAEA 

April 1-30 - Valarie Hames, Shawnee Public Schools 

May 1-29 - Keep Oklahoma Beautiful, ODOT 

A virtual art gallery is available on the SDE Fine Arts website for students and families who would like to see pictures of their work in the OSDE (Oliver Hodge) Building.  


MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

March 6 - Oklahoma Youth Arts Day

March 31 - Kodaly Grant Application DEADLINE