The Arts News & Notes | April 2021
Productive Struggle
When I was eight years old, I really wanted to learn to play the piano. I was willing to give up dance lessons to learn the piano (my parents made me choose one or the other). Soon I was confronted with the routine of practice – and I hated it! I wonder if I would’ve felt differently if I knew that this struggle was part of learning and that it was good for me. Listen to how these students articulate it. In his book, Culturally Responsive Education in the Classroom, Dr. Adeyemi Stembridge talks about how students need to understand that “the brain grows when it struggles through a difficult learning experience” (page 150). Further, he states, “ . . . you can’t be your best self if you don’t struggle – because struggle yields growth” (page 203).
In this graduation speech, Denzel Washington talks about his struggle with college and the early years in his acting career. He frames his success about being willing to take risks, but he was also persistent. He kept at it, he struggled through it.
As we guide students through rigorous study and learning, let’s remember to tell them about the concept of productive struggle – it will help them to become their best selves!
Remember to be inspired and to inspire others.
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 – “Fur Elise” Colored Pencil by E. Baron, 2015 Superintendent’s Art Show
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New! Arts Learning Standards - Entry Points
COVID-19 has presented particular challenges to learning and teaching in the arts. A Statewide Arts Advisory Team developed this Entry Points document to support teaching the arts during this time, whether remotely, using a hybrid model, or fully in-person. This document is organized by arts discipline with student/family language to use in communication with students and their families.
Cover Art – “Lighbulb Sunset” Photo by Lauren King, 2020 Superintendent’s Art Show
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Student Curates "From Green to Grey" Virtual Art Exhibit
William Raines, a visual artist and climate activist was inspired to combine these personal passions for his capstone project, “From Green to Grey” a virtual art show focused on climate change and climate policy in the United States. The Gibson Ek High School student hopes to raise awareness of climate issues, and raise funds to support the improvement of discourse on climate policy. For more information and to see the exhibit, click here.
Art – “The Lost Flower” oil painting by Giada Rotundo
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Grammy Music Educator of the Year
Jeffrey Murdock, associate professor of music education at the University of Arkansas, has been awarded the 2021 Grammy Music Educator of the Year. This choral director started his musical journey taking piano lessons at five years old. He believes in paying it forward and enjoys working with students of all ages. Click here to learn more about his story.
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Write an Ekphrastic Poem - Due April 15th
Engage your students in creating poetry inspired by art in the 2021 Superintendent’s High School Art Show. Selected poems will be presented as part of this year’s awards ceremony. For curriculum resources and to submit poems, click here.
Art – “Eyes of Art” digital photography by Zoe Stinebaugh, 2020 Superintendent’s Art Show
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DeafBlind Performer in Oscar Nominated Film
“Feeling Through” starring Robert Tarango breaks ground as the first film nominated for an Academy Award to feature a DeafBlind performer in a lead role. The film was nominated for the category Best Live Action Short Film. This touching story is about a teen experiencing homelessness who meets a DeafBlind man that changes his outlook on life. See the entire film here.
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Peer-to-Peer Virtual Jazz Informance - April 13
U.S. Secretary of Education Dr. Miguel Cardona and 14-time GRAMMY Award-winning jazz legend Herbie Hancock will host a musical program with educational information. Seven of the country’s most gifted high school music students along with renowned jazz educator Dr. JB Dyas will focus on what jazz is, why it’s important to America, and the American values jazz represents: teamwork, unity with ethnic diversity, the correlation of hard work and goal accomplishment, perseverance, democracy, and the vital importance of really listening to one another. It’s free and open to the public. All attendees must register prior to the event.
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Jazz Masters Tribute Concert -
April 22, 5 PM
The NEA Jazz Masters award is the highest honor that our nation bestows on jazz artists. Join the celebration honoring Terri Lyne Carrigton, Albert “Tootie” Heath, Henry Threadgill, and Phil Schaap. This free tribute concert will available online and via radio broadcast. It will feature recorded performances and tributes by acclaimed jazz musicians.
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Wildlife Photographer of the Year Award
Hosted by London’s Natural History Museum, the 56th annual photography competition received 49,000 submissions from all over the world. The competition was open to amateurs and professionals of all ages. Explore the online gallery here.
Photo – “Life in the Balance” by Jaime Culebras
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BLM: City of Olympia Historic Preservation
This short film of Olympia, WA documents a community’s response expressed in images and words that challenge and inspire. The project does not condone or support damaging of property. Click here to see the film.
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Regeneration with Rulan Tangen
A Blade of Grass Films presents “Cultural Identity: Rulan Tangen.” Through Her Dancing Earth company, Tangen confronts ecological collapse. She collaborates with tribal leaders and dancers across the Four Corners region to create performances that center Indigenous artistic and ecological knowledge.
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Self-Care for Educators: Thursdays at 2:00pm
Presented by the Children’s Art Guild, this unique professional development workshop is free and designed to help teachers tap into the passion for their craft to address stress in their professional lives. The workshop offers participants the opportunity to explore a variety of self-care techniques, to create a self-care plan, and to build a community of support. For more information and to register, click here.
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Bring Opera into your Classroom this Spring
Until schools can safely attend a performance at McCaw Hall, the Seattle Opera is offering interactive online programming and on-demand content available at no cost to all Title I schools. Financial assistance is available to all. Click here for more information.
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Donated Masks and Bell Covers for Wind Instruments
The Give a Note Foundation is offering K-12 public school music programs assistance for mask and bell covers from their Let’s Play Music Fund. Requests will be fulfilled from the Let’s Play Music Fund’s budget determined by a needs-based assessment that includes the school’s Title 1 status, % of students on free/reduced lunch, % of minority and verified music program budget restrictions. For more information or to make a request, click here.
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Learn & Plan with PBS
April 26, 4:00-5:00pm
Join with other educators in a virtual session to learn how to access a wealth of free resources for learning and teaching provided by public television. Work with materials and spend time planning for your classes with education staff from Washington’s PBS stations. Up to three clock hours are available. To register, click here
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Early Learning Grant: Deadline
April 8th
The Creative Start grant seeks to close the opportunity gap for early learners, PreK to grade 3, by supporting site-based and regional (multi-site) innovation in arts integration methods. Creative Start funds will expand professional growth opportunities for early learning educators across the state. This grant supports teacher growth and leadership as well as collaboration with families, arts organizations, and teaching artists. Program outcomes include creative, academic, and social growth for young learners as well as creative and professional growth for early learning educators. Sponsored by the Washington State Arts Commission, funding for a Single Site: $5,000-$10,000 or Regional (multi-site): $10,000- $25,000. Application opens March 4, 2021.
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Nominations Open for Whole Child Award: Deadline April 9th
The State Whole Child Award is designed to acknowledge and honor a school that has made significant contributions to student learning by creating a school culture with programs that exemplify two or more of the five tenets of The Whole Child Initiative: Healthy, Safe, Engaged, Supported, and Challenged. Any school that meets the criteria may be nominated.
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Music Scholarships Accepting Applications: Deadline April 15th
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.
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Celebrate the West's Art Competition: Deadline April 30th
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.
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2021 Year of the Apple Art Contest: Deadline May 1st
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.
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Mobile Dance Film Festival: Deadline May 31st
Students are invited to pick up a smartphone or tablet to create a film about dance. Films must be no shorter than 1 minute and no longer than 90 minutes. Click here for submission requirements. Sponsored by 92nd Street Y in New York City.
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If you have news that is of a statewide interest and you would like to it have considered for inclusion in this newsletter, please submit it by the 25th of the month prior to publication. Send your request to: thearts@k12.wa.us
Part of the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction’s (OSPI’s) mission is to provide resources to educators that support student success and the implementation of student learning standards. This list of resources is provided for informational purposes only. Districts interested in using any of the listed materials are encouraged to review titles first. Resources to support review of instructional materials are available at Course Design and Instructional Materials.
http://www.k12.wa.us/Arts/ | TheArts@k12.wa.us
Enjoy the arts!
Janet Hayakawa, Program Supervisor
The Arts - Dance, Music, Theatre, and Visual Arts
Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction
Phone: 360-725-4966
http://www.k12.wa.us/Arts/ | TheArts@k12.wa.us
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