May Newsletter
Congratulations! You've made it to the end of the 2019-20 school year. This ending was nothing like what we envisioned last August, but we have reached the finish line. As we look forward to next fall, many questions come to mind. How will students be able to sing if we are still concerned about virus spread? How will 40 students social distance in a small art room? How do we sanitize wind instruments, especially if low brass students share instruments? How will students dance and move together if social distancing is still in force? Can we have any performances?
National organizations are looking for answers to these questions and I hope we will have answers soon. In the meantime, remember what the arts do for our students. The arts:
- Give students a safe space;
- Help students become effective communicators;
- Encourage creativity;
- Give students an emotional outlet;
- Build self-regulation;
- Help students relate to and understand others;
- Celebrate multiple perspectives; and
- Connect us through our common humanity.
The 2020-21 school year is going to be a unique challenge. None of us knows what the school year will bring or how it will begin. As you start considering what your classroom may look like in August, it may be wise to start discussions with other arts teachers in your district. Come up with some common ideas of what the year could look like and share those with administration. Remind your administration of the important place the arts have in a well-rounded education and offer to help in any way that you can as the new school year approaches.
Keep in mind - your local board of education will be making decisions regarding the 2020-21 school year over the summer months and the best way to stay informed of any changes is to attend or watch a live streamed video of the meeting.
The Oklahoma State Department of Education is seeking dance, drama/theatre, music, and visual art educators to participate in the development of the Oklahoma Academic Standards for Fine Arts Framework Project. The Oklahoma Academic Standards for Fine Arts Framework Project will provide educators with information and resources to align instruction to the new Oklahoma Academic Standards for Fine Arts
Educators selected for the project will be paid $400 per month for 7 months of work (July 2020 - January 2021). There are roles within each discipline team in elementary, middle, and high school. In addition, a chair position will be appointed for each discipline area. The chair will oversee and contribute to the work within their discipline area.
More details may be found on the 2020 Fine Arts Curriculum Frameworks Application Form.
Applications are due May 22, 2020 at 5 p.m.
As we work through this challenging time, the Oklahoma Art Education Association has been thinking outside the box for the annual Young Talent in Oklahoma (YTIO) reception and awards ceremony.
While the event itself was cancelled, the YTIO Committee was hard at work to ensure that everyone is able to see all of the deserving works that were accepted into this year’s exhibition. The YTIO Virtual Gallery is now “live” for public viewing of all the works that were accepted into the 2020 exhibition. Young Talent in Oklahoma is an annual juried art competition and exhibition for students in grades 9-12. Nearly 900 works were submitted this year with only 208 accepted into the show. Additionally, high school seniors submitted 57 portfolios into the competition with 10 of these portfolios named as “finalists.”
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OIDF is continuing to closely monitor the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and is committed to providing regular updates. OIDF is currently planning to hold the Summer Intensive. In the event that OIDF is forced to cancel any of its programs during the 2020 season (July 26 - August 9) as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), OIDF will refund any deposit and/or tuition payments. Please note that application fees are non-refundable. Visit the Dance Festival website for the latest updates.
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The current art display for Youth Arts Month will be removed as soon as work schedules return to normal at the SDE. Teachers will be able to pick up their student art from OAEA members early this summer.
June 1-30 - Rachel Tilley, Edmond North High School
July 12-August 2 - Nancy Nortz, Oklahoma Student Art Exhibition
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.
June 8-9 - Conn-Selmer ONLINE Summer Institute
June 14-19 - OSAI At Home
June 22-26 - 2020 ONLINE International Thespian Festival
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