Thinking about Back to School

It’s that time of year when we dream about the possibilities of the coming school year. The summer break gives us space to think about the successes of the past year, and how to build upon those for the new year. Where do you go for inspiration? One source for me are the pop-up art books by Seattle artist Ginny Ruffner – Creativity: The Flowering Tornado and The Imagination Cycle. Please take the time to indulge your creativity and imagination! Remember that students learn from you as artist as well as you as educator.

As you start to make plans for learning and teaching, here are a couple of useful resources:

• Social-Emotional Learning and Equity: Current Issues and Considerations
• Screening for Biased Content in Instructional Materials

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 – “Golden Impressions” by Isaak McDonald, 2021 Superintendent’s High School Art Show}

Washington State High School Photography Competition

The Washington State High School Photography Competition recently announced the 2021 awards. This year’s competition included 1,903 entries from 41 schools and 678 students. Awards were given in 10 categories: Traditional Black & White, Abstract, Animal, Documentary, Still Life, Portrait, Architecture, Landscape, People, and Manipulation.

See the exhibit here.

^{Photo – 1st Place Traditional Black & White - by Roseshel Mock, Steilacoom}

Metropolitan Museum of Art Exhibit

This exhibit highlights female photographers’ (1920’s – 1950’s) innovative work in portraiture, fashion and advertising, artistic experimentation, street photography, ethnography and photojournalism.

Click here for an exhibition overview and photos.

Music and the Olympics Share a Common Beat

Olympic swimmer Caleb Dressel connects drum beats to his swim practice, racing, and setting goals in all aspects of his life. Listen to his story here.

“Erased Lynchings”: Art Raises Awareness of History

Ken Gongzales-Day’s Erased Lynchings series has helped to raise awareness of the history of lynching in California. The artist removed the lynching victim and rope from historic postcards and archival images of lynchings. Gonzales-Day states, “I sought to create a visual experience that would force the viewer to focus on the crowd and in doing so, to address the underlying racism and bias that was foundational to many of these acts of collective violence, which have increasingly come to be seen as central to understanding race and difference in America.”

_{Photo – Installation by Ken Gonzalez-Day, Erased Lynchings Series}

Stargate Theater Envisions New Possibilities

Stargate employs young individuals identifying as male who have been involved with the justice system to create and perform an original play.  Led by artistic professionals, they explore the world in which they live and reflect it on the stage. This theatre-making process enables company members to envision new possibilities for their futures and to develop the skills — clear communication, punctuality, cooperation — required to navigate today’s society. Watch the 2019 production of Sweetwater, 2020 production of The Divide. See a documentary Stargate Theater: A Defining Act along with support materials for teachers here.

Foster Healthy Development Through Movement & Play

Project Commotion engages children in movement programs to enhance brain-body connection, increase self-regulation, develop empathy and build self-confidence. See a series of videos in English and Spanish here.

Celebrate Arts in Education: Sept 12 – 18

Passed by Congress in 2010, House Resolution 275 designates the week beginning with the second Sunday in September as National Arts in Education Week. Use this week to celebrate arts and share the story of the transformational power of the arts in education! See ways to participate here.

Grants to Support Equity and the Arts Deadline: Aug 13

The Wallace Foundation is launching a new initiative focused on arts organizations of color to explore how they leverage their experience and histories of community orientation to increase resilience, while sustaining relevance. For more information and determine eligibility, click here.

OSPI Seeks Consultants for Arts Academies

OSPI announces the upcoming release (January 2022) of a Request for Qualifications and Quotations (RFQQ) to solicit proposals from arts organizations, teaching artists and others interested in participating with the Native Voices Arts Academy and the Voices from the Field Arts Academy. Both programs involve middle school students who qualify for the Migrant Education Program and their teachers with the integration of arts, culture and academic learning. See the announcements here.

Professional Learning for Arts Educators

What does it mean to be an anti-racist in arts education? Learn from leaders in arts education and other creative industries in this three—part series on August 11, 18, and September 29, 2021. Presented by the State Education Agency Directors of Arts Education (SEADAE), sessions are free and open to all. Gail Sehlhorst and Chris Mena from Seattle Schools will be part of the panel on August 18^th!

Click here to learn more and register.

Inclusionary Practices Project Professional Learning

The Washington Education Association’s Inclusionary Practices Project and Special Education Support Center is offering virtual professional learning opportunities in July and August.  Courses are free and available to all.  Click here for course descriptions and registration.