February 2021 Arts Newsletter

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The Arts News & Notes | February 2021


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Musings...

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February is Black History month. May this be a reminder that our work towards becoming anti-racist is ongoing. Let’s embrace the stance that Black Lives Matter. Take time to expand your knowledge - learn and share stories of African American history, arts and culture with your students. Representation matters. All students need to see the good and important work of Black creatives. Here are some links to information and resources: BlackPast.org, the National Museum of African American History and Culture, Northwest African American Museum, Library of Congress and the National Archives.

 

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
Cell/Text: 360-764-6157

Art – “In a Daze” digital photography by Moira Mclaughlin, 2020 Superintendent’s Art Show


News...


DOH Logo

Department of Health Issues Performing Arts Guidance

As of January 25, 2021, the Washington Department of Health released health and safety guidance related to co-curricular performing arts activities in K-12 schools. Requirements apply to K-12 performing arts activities including band/orchestra/instrumental; choir/singing; dance/movement; theatre/drama; speech/debate.


OSPI logo

District Verification Reports Required   

 

OSPI annual reporting for Educational Technology, Health/PE, Arts, and Social Studies instruction and assessment are continuing this year. Reports have been modified and streamlined to reflect the challenges districts face this year. OSPI will contact districts when reporting templates are available.


Arts logo

 

Campaign to Support Arts Education for All Students

This national campaign supports the right for all PreK-12 students to a high-quality school-based arts education in dance, music, theatre, and visual arts taught be certified professional arts educators in partnership with community arts providers. To learn more, click here.


WSSDA

Campaign to Support Arts Education for All Students

Health and safety concerns of COVID-19 have prevented traditional school performances that are so integral to the arts. Livestreaming and remote recordings are alternatives to in-person events, however these have presented questions about how to sell tickets and account for the revenue generated. To address these issues, the Washington State School Directors’ Association (WSSDA) has revised Model Policy 6230-Relations with Vendors to support districts.


Resources for Learning & Teaching...

Amanda Gorman

“The Hill We Climb” by Amanda Gorman

Amanda Gorman, the first National Youth Poet Laureate was invited to write and perform her poem at the inauguration of President Joe Biden. This lesson plan includes video of her performance along with prompts for critical thinking, analysis of the poem, and links to related resources. In 2018, she performed another compelling poem, ”Earthrise”click here for the full text. And, as featured last month, Amanda Gorman recites her uplifting poem, “The Miracle of Morning.” For the full text of her poem click here.


MLK

Celebrate Black Lives

 

Patrisse Cullors and Noni Limar have curated a collection for Black Lives Matter that asks us to not only remember Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as an iconic Civil Rights leader, but as “a human being full of love, joy, play, and healing.” The artworks in the series reflects on the full extent and possibilities of Black life.


Sisseretta

Sissieretta Jones: The First Black Performer to Sing at Carnegie Hall

Sissieretta Jones (1868-1933) was heralded as one of the greatest singers of her generation at a time when access to most classical concert halls in the U.S. were closed to Black performers and patrons. Mezzo-Soprano, J’Nai Bridges comments about Sissieretta Jones, “She not only changed the opera world, she changed history. What a queen.” Learn more in this video. Support materials include discussion questions and a newspaper analysis activity.

Art – American Masters, WNET/New York Public Media


AA Music

NEW! National Museum of African American Music 

This is the country’s only museum dedicated to preserving and celebrating the many music genres created, influenced and inspired by African Americans. Located in Nashville, TN, the museum seeks to educate, preserve the legacy and celebrate the central role African Americans play in creating the American soundtrack. Click here to learn more.


Drawing

“How Drawing Can Set You Free”  

Visual artist Shantell Martin is featured in this TED Talk. She demonstrates how she uses line to create compelling art, and in the process it “connected my head to my heart and my hand to everything.” Listen to her story about how drawing taught her to fully engage with the world.


Hip Hop

Universal Hip Hop Museum     

Located in the Bronx, this museum celebrates and preserves the history of local and global hip-hop music and culture to inspire, empower and promote understanding. This site provides many resources including music clips, videos, articles and timelines.


Meta

Meta Warrick Fuller: Visual Artist

Sculptor Meta Warrick Fuller (1877 - 1968) was mentored by W.E.B. Du Bois and studied with Auguste Rodin in Paris. She exhibited her sculptures in France to great acclaim and is seen as a forerunner to the Harlem Renaissance. Click here to see a video about her life and to find additional learning materials.


August Wilson

The August Wilson Education Project

Playwright August Wilson is often referred to as the Black Shakespeare. This comprehensive website offers resources to educators including a teaching guide, video clips, interactive maps, timeline and more.


NYT

What’s Going On in This Picture?   

The Learning Network at The New York Times has put together this collection of 40 intriguing photos to make students think. Images are stripped of their captions or context to prompt students to practice visual thinking skills through discussion or writing. These can be used for in-person or remote learning. Lesson plans and resources can be found here.


Matinees

Virtual Matinees for Students and Educators – February - May

Seattle Theatre Group presents this series of free and specially-priced programs to make the performing arts accessible. Workshops and study materials are available to expand student learning. Learn about performances and register here.


Arts Blog post

New! Arts Integration Blog Post

“Arts Integrated Teacher Education Benefits Elementary Students and Teachers Alike,” is the newest blog post from the Arts Education Partnership’s Higher Education Working Group arts integration blog series. Co-authored by Jamie Hipp, Ph.D., and Margaret-Mary Sulentic Dowell, Ph.D., this post unpacks the process behind revamping teacher preparation coursework to meaningfully include arts integration training.


Opportunities...

Artwork by Zoe Stinebaugh

Superintendent’s High School Student Art Show – Deadlines soon!

If students want to participate in the 2021 Superintendent’s Art Show, now is the time to reach out to your local Educational Service District to learn about their Regional Art Show application process and deadline. To qualify for the Superintendent’s Art Show, students must be nominated by a Regional Art Show.

For more information by ESD/region:

ESD 101: Northeast                 Mary Kempel - mkempel@esd.101.net

ESD 105: South Central           Gayle Ames - gayle.ames@esd105.org

ESD 112: Southwest                https://www.esd112.org/artshow/

ESD 113: Capital Region         Dianna Avery - davery@esd113.org

ESD 114: Olympic                    Sarah Freitas - sarahf@oesd114.org

ESD 121: Puget Sound            Dior Davenport - ddavenport@psesd.org

ESD 123: Southeast                 Lori Ballard - lballard@esd123.org

ESD 171: North Central            https://www.wenatcheevalleymuseum.org/high-school-art-show/

ESD 189: Northwest                https://www.nwesd.org/2021-nwesd-regional-high-school-art-show/

Art – “Eyes of Art” digital photography by Zoe Stinebaugh, 2020 Superintendent’s Art Show