Celebrate Arts Education!

May is the month that we celebrate arts education in Washington. Governor Inslee’s Proclamation recognizes that the arts are essential to the education of all students. Engagement in the arts develops student cognition, technical skill, social-emotional learning, and critical thinking which benefit students’ well-being long after their graduation. Dance, media, music, theatre, and visual arts are often the classes that students look forward to and the ones that keep them coming to school. There is so much to celebrate, and yet, as Niko Looper’s painting notes, “We Need to Do Better.” We need more education leaders to understand the value of the arts. We need to increase both access and participation in arts education. We need the arts curriculum to be inclusive, engaging and rigorous. We need more teachers and administrators of color in the arts. How do we do this? Thelma Golden talks about cultural change (video listed below), and she says, “Think of artists as a catalyst.” Let’s use our creative prowess and continue to work towards this evolution of arts education in Washington.

Some resources to inspire the value of the arts:

Arts Education Is Essential (national unified statement)

The Arts are Essential (OSPI document)

New evidence of the benefits of arts education (brookings.edu)

Benefits of the Arts in Early Childhood Development – The Early Childhood Commission (ecc.gov.jm)

How art gives shape to cultural change - Thelma Golden - YouTube

Using Arts Education to Help Other Lessons Stick - The New York Times (nytimes.com)

10 Reasons to Support the Arts in 2021 | ARTS Blog (americansforthearts.org)

Mark your calendars – May 20^th, 3:00 pm. Watch the 48^th Annual Superintendent’s High School Art Show Awards Program where students from across Washington will be recognized for excellence in the arts. 

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 – “We Need to Do Better” Watercolor by Niko Shawn Renee Looper, 2020 Superintendent’s Art Show}

UPDATES: COVID-19 Requirements  

The Department of Health and the Governor’s Office released updated guidance for Theater & Performing Arts and Events as of April 21.

2020-2021 Arts Instruction & Assessment Reporting

School districts will be required to report arts instruction and assessment information to OSPI as outlined by RCW 28A.230.095. For more information and online tools, click here.

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}

Arts & Cultural Spaces are Re-Opening   

As COVID-19 restrictions ease, arts and cultural spaces are inviting the public to visit. Beyond just looking at exhibits, most museums encourage visitors to be curious and wonder about what they’re seeing. These inquiry-based approaches include Visual Thinking Strategies (https://vtshome.org) and Artful Thinking by Project Zero (http://pzartfulthinking.org). Research supports that even a one-time visit to a museum benefits students’ well-being in three capacities: creative thinking, empathy and critical thinking. If an in-person visit is not possible, many museums have online resources. Take a look at the possibilities! Please let us know if there are other museums not listed here that you’d recommend.

Burke Museum, Seattle

Cascadia Art Museum, Edmonds

Clymer Museum & Gallery, Ellensburg

Confluence Project, Columbia River

Confluence Gallery, Twisp

Frye Art Museum, Seattle

Henry Art Gallery, Seattle

Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art, Pullman

MadArt, Seattle

Mary Hill Museum of Art, Goldendale

Museum of Popular Culture (MoPOP), Seattle

Museum of Glass, Tacoma

Northwest Museum of Art, La Conner

Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture, Spokane

Seattle Art Museum, Seattle

Shack Art Center, Everett

Squaxin Island Museum , Shelton

Suquamish Museum, Suquamish

Tacoma Art Museum, Tacoma

Wa Na Wari, Seattle

Wenatchee Valley Museum & Cultural Center, Wenatchee

Whatcom Museum, Bellingham

Wing Luke Museum, Seattle

Yakima Valley Museum , Yakima

East African Music & Dance: May 15^th

11:00 am – 3:00 pm

Join this virtual, interactive workshop with The Yard’s teaching artist, Godfrey Muwulya to learn about Ugandan culture and geography through music, dance, discussion, and stories. Pay what you can or come for free. Register here.

Musical Theatre Songwriting Challenge: Deadline May 17th

This national competition is for high school students who have a passion for writing songs that could be part of a musical theatre production. Selected students will be paired with mentors working professionally in musical theatre to develop their songs into Broadway-state-ready compositions via video chats and working sessions. This is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts partnering with the American Theatre Wing and in collaboration with Concord Theatricals, Disney Theatrical Productions, iHeartRadio Broadway, and NMPA S.O.N.G.S. Foundation.

High School Art Show Awards Program – May 20^th, 3:00 pm

Tune in to Facebook Live to see the celebration of the 48^th Annual Superintendent’s High School Art Show. Washington students and their artwork will be honored by several statewide organizations. The performing arts will also be spotlighted.

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

Foster Positive Youth Development:

May 25 – 26th

Mentor Washington promotes, supports, and expands quality mentoring that fosters positive youth development, academic success, and job and career readiness. Attend the 2021 conference to participate in workshops, hear keynote speakers and engage in networking events. Click here to learn more and register.

Paid Summer Internship for Students:

Deadline May 28th

Selected students will engage in projects that integrate Virtual Reality game development, audio production, and storytelling in order to gain digital media creation and critical thinking skills necessary to enter into 21st century careers. Puget Sound region youth in grades 10-12 interested in interactive storytelling, immersive technology, and video games are encouraged to apply for the Learning Immersive Technology (LIT) program here.

Learn & Plan with PBS - May 24th, 4:00–5:00 pm

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

Call for Presenters: Deadline June 15th

The 2020-21 school year redefined what it is to be an educator in the modern world. Through this challenge, many opportunities for growth emerged.  Prepare for the 2021-22 school year with a focus on equitable practices and meeting the needs of diverse populations through creating, connecting, collaborating, and orchestrating change with colleagues. Learn more about this virtual conference (July 26-29^th) and submit a proposal for a presentation, here.

WA State High School Photography Competition: Deadline June 30th

This annual event is designed to showcase the work of student photographers in Washington state high schools. Selected photographs become part of a traveling exhibition. Watch this video to learn more.

_{Photo by Sohpia Judish, Stadium High School, 2020 1st place, Architecture}

Seeking Professional Artists as Mentors

The Allied Arts Foundation of Seattle is seeking professional artists to serve as volunteer short-term mentors or coaches for their art student Block Awards winners.  These awards are distributed among 16 of Seattle’s high schools in five categories – visual arts, music, theater, writing, and performance.  Coaches should be willing to donate at least two hours of their time to give lessons and/or instruction to each of the students with whom they are matched. For more information, please email jeff@allied-artsfoundation.org. 

Inspiring Opera for K- 6

The Seattle Opera presents virtual performances of Earth to Kenzie, the story about a fifth grader with a vivid imagination and a taste for adventure. But when Kenzie’s home is threatened, she and her mother find themselves in a family shelter, facing newfound uncertainties. This opera shares lessons about facing your fears, developing empathy, and finding strength amidst adversity. School programs are available at no cost to all Title I schools, and financial assistance is available to all. To learn more, click here.

Self-Care for Educators: Thursdays at 2:00 pm     

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.