Who doesn’t like a good story? It’s how we’re wired. Stories are fundamental to who we are, and how we experience our lives. Stories also go hand in hand with the arts - together they are powerful. They get our attention, activate our imagination and evoke emotion. They can inspire us and transform us.

This month, we want to hear your stories! Is there a particular story or book that inspires your art or your teaching? Are there stories that you use with your students? Can you share a story from your classroom about how art impacted a student, a colleague or you? Do you know of a Washington State student who has gone on to have a successful career in the arts?

Please take a few moments to share your stories with us at TheArts@k12.wa.us.  We want to create a collection of stories that will serve to inspire educators across the state.

Thank you for all that you do in service of the arts in education,

Janet Hayakawa, Program Supervisor
The Arts - Dance, Media Arts, Music, Theatre, and Visual Arts
Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction
Janet.Hayakawa@k12.wa.us
Office: 360-725-4966             
Cell/Text: 360-764-6157

Art by: M. Filan "Grass Land" (Recipient of OSPI State Board of Education Award of 2011 Art Show) 

The 47^th Annual Regional School Art Shows

For the past few months, high school students from all nine WA State Educational Service Districts (ESDs) have been submitting their artwork for the 47^th annual regional art shows. These young visual artists will have their amazing artwork displayed in recognition and awards ceremonies given by their ESD’s. Contact the ESD for more information. 

• ESD 114 Bremerton: March 2
• ESD 123 Pasco: March 4 
• ESD 105 Yakima: March 12 
• ESD 171 Wenatchee: March 14
• ESD 189 Anacortes: March 17
• ESD 121 Renton: March 18 
• ESD 112 Vancouver: March 18
• ESD 101 Spokane: March 19
• ESD 113 Tumwater: March 25

Finalists from these regional art shows will send their artwork to the Superintendent’s High School Art Show, where several exemplary pieces will be recognized.  To see winners from previous years, click here.

Art by: S. Holliday "Hope" (Recipient of OSPI Judges' Choice Award 2016 Art Show) 

Grammy’s Music Educator Award Recipient 

Louisiana state music teacher, Mickey Smith Jr., was honored with the Grammy's Music Educator Award 2020 for his inspirational teaching that makes students feel "loved, valued and wanted". To read the full story, visit CBS This Morning here.

CBS News. “Louisiana Music Teacher Mickey Smith Jr. Honored with Music Educator Award at Grammys.” CBS News, CBS Interactive, 24 Jan. 2020

Why You Must Bring Preschoolers to the Theatre

In this story, Sandy MacDonald writes about why it's important to expose children to the theater from a very young age because as she writes it "Even a show that doesn't enchant has its value, helping to develop critical thinking skills as well as personal taste, however rudimentary."

To read the full story, visit TDF here. 

Macdonald, Sandy. “TDF Stages: Yes, You Should Take Preschoolers to the Theatre.” Theatre Development Fund, TDF, 23 Dec. 2019

ArtsWA FY21 First Step Grants Now Open

ArtsWA (the Washington State Arts Commission) is now accepting applications for their Arts in Education First Step grants. These grants support emerging and new community partnerships committed to arts education as part of basic education for K-12 public school students in Washington State. Grant amounts range from $1,000 - $5,000. Applications are open now through March 17, 2020: https://www.arts.wa.gov/first-step-grants/

Maryhill Call for Submissions: Educators as Artists Juried Show

Teachers as Artists is an annual juried exhibition that showcases the talents of WAEA members who are current or retired arts educators. This year the theme is “Women Who have Inspired Me” in honor of 2020 being the 100th anniversary of (white) women getting the vote in America. Submission Window is February 13 through 28th. Click here for more information.  

This performance features exceptional young musicians mixing up diverse music styles, celebrates the rich musical talent of youth in our community, and provides musicians, regardless of what style they play, the opportunity to make music together.

To learn more information and register, visit https://www.stgpresents.org/education/student-matinees

Youth Art Month Student Art Exhibit 

YAM, or Youth Art Month is an annual observance each March to emphasize the value of art and art education for all children and to encourage public support for quality school arts programs.  The National Art Education Association, as a national sponsor through the Council for Art Education, administers the program at a national level, and Washington Art Education Association administers the program at the state level. 

For information on the Student Artworks exhibit that will showcase in the Tacoma Art Museum in April, click here. Submission Deadline: March 21st 

Arts Opportunities for Students and Teachers at Centrum

Located in Port Townsend, Centrum in partnership with OSPI, gathers young artists, scientists and teachers together for an intensive, residential learning experience. Artists working in the fields of visual art, writing, theater, movement, music and dance will provide young artists opportunities to learn new ways of thinking, seeing, and being. Opportunities in 2020 include:

• Explorations for grades 7-9, March 1-6, a multi-genre exploration in the arts. For more information click here.  Scholarship deadline: January 27, 2020

• Water World for grades 5-6, April 26-May 1, a study of the marine environment through the lens of art and science. For more information, click here. Scholarship deadline: February 24, 2020

• Dance This! For grades 9-12, August 2-9, an in-depth opportunity to learn a wide range of dance styles, techniques and choreography for all levels. For more information, click here.