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}

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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}

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.

“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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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}

Celebrate the Year of the Ox  

Join a virtual celebration of the Lunar New Year with the Wing Luke Museum on February 13. Learn from museum staff about the Year of the Ox and how Asian Americans celebrate different new year traditions – all year round. To register and for instructions on making new year’s crafts, click here.

Arts Media and Entertainment (AME) Professional Learning Opportunity

For CTE teachers and administrators, learn with colleagues from California to support the development of high quality CTE pathways. Topics include: Human Centered Design for AME Teachers, The Business of Talent Management, and Teaching Entrepreneurship in the AME Classroom. For more information and to register, click here.

Teen Writing Contest: Deadline Feb 19 

Cancer Pathways sponsors this annual event to open a dialogue with teens about their emotions and realities when dealing with cancer. This opportunity is open to students in grades 9-12 with several $1,000 cash prizes awarded. Essays must range between 500-1,000 words.

Music Scholarships Accepting Applications: Deadline April 15

The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation is now accepting applications for a variety of music scholarships. These scholarships include the four-year Juanes Scholarship, which provides $200,000 for one student’s bachelor of music study at the Berklee School of Music, as well as three Gifted Tuition and 40 Tuition Assistance Scholarships for music students admitted to universities of their choice.

"Celebrate the West" Art Competition:

Deadline April 30

The Western Governors’ Foundation announces the 2021 regional art competition for high school students to create works inspired by their state. Selected artworks will receive cash prizes. Click here for more information and to learn how to enter.

2021 Year of the Apple Art Contest:
Deadline May 1 

The Washington Apple Education Foundation invites students in grades 9-12 residing in the Washington state counties of Adams, Benton, Chelan, Douglas, Grant, Franklin, Kittitas, Okanogan, Walla Walla and Yakima  to participate in this year’s contest.  Selected art will be published and students will be given cash awards. Full contest details are available on the entry form.