Nature tells us that variability is the rule.  Just as no two snowflakes or fingerprints are alike, each student is unique with their own assets and needs.  This means that there is no “average” student and that we need to expand opportunities for students to learn and to demonstrate their skills and knowledge.  We want all students to be successful so let’s see and work with them as individuals. Look to Universal Design for Learning (UDL) to learn more about how to create inclusive learning environments, clear learning goals, and ways to assess student learning.  See this new collection of resources to support UDL in the classroom.

With gratitude,

Janet Hayakawa, Associate Director 
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

_{Artwork – “Art Heals Us” by Rebecca Wu, Washington Art Education Association Youth Art Month Flag winner, 2022.}

Art Show Alumni Feature

In honor of the Art Show’s 5oth Anniversary, we will feature past award winners and the role that art has played in their lives.

David Craig – 1984

At the age of nine, David Craig took his first art class.  He continued painting with watercolor and while a student at Puyallup High School, he won a statewide award in the 1984 Art Show. David went on to graduate from the Art Institute of Seattle, Washington.   He freelanced his talents to Universal Studios, Disney, the National Park Service and many others.  In 1994, David opened “The Four Winds Gallery” in Eatonville, WA. Best known for watercolor, David is also skilled in mixed media, sculpting, hand-made native drums, acrylics, leatherwork, charcoal and pencil honoring his Native roots. His illustrations are in several books. Enrolled Chippewa (Ojibwa), David travels throughout the Western United States enjoying Tribal gatherings, powwows, art shows, horseback riding, hiking, camping, and fishing in our open spaces.  Click here to learn more about David and his work.

_{Art – “Indian Head" by David Craig, watercolor, Superintendent’s High School Art Show, 1984.}

Washington will Join the Arts Education Data Project

Who has access to arts education in our public schools and who does not? The Arts Education Data Project has helped states across the country to gather arts education data and publish it in interactive dashboards accessible to the public. This systemic, data-driven approach will promote better understanding of the current landscape of arts education in our state and will serve as a catalyst to increase participation in arts learning for Washington students.

Jonathan Batista Makes History

Pacific Northwest Ballet (PNB) recently promoted Jonathan Batista to Principal Dancer, making him the first Black artist to reach this status in the company’s 50-year history.  Batista was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and studied dance at the English National Ballet School in London.  He has been dancing professionally for ten years.  Learn more here.

_{Photo—Jonathan Batista by Angela Sterling}

Teaching Artist Training Lab Alumni Spotlight

Jasmine Iona Brown (TAT Lab 2012/2013) is a visual artist and the founder/lead teacher for the new Swan Creek Art Academy, which will teach digital art, spoken word and DJing for low-income teens. She specializes in working with low-income youth that don't have access to expensive art education options. Brown is also an accomplished visual artist and public artist, whose work has been seen at Photo Center NW, the Frye Museum, Seattle University and Amazon.  One of Brown’s biggest take-aways from TAT Lab was “working on translating my lessons into solid lesson plans helped when I was teaching full-time for Tacoma School district and teaching after school programs for various non-profits.” Read the full article here!  Visit the TAT Lab website to learn more.

Music Educators Toolbox     

Free resources for K-5 music learning including: lesson plans, activities, assessments, video examples, audio files and documented best practices were developed through Carnegie Hall’s residency in a New York City school. Grade specific resources address music fundamentals of rhythm and meter, form and design, expressive qualities, pitch, performing and more.

How Theatre Can Bridge Polarized Groups in Society  

Tune in to Why Change?  a podcast focused on how artists, educators and cultural practitioners can change the world. Produced by Creative Generation, this episode features an interview with Dr. Chen Alon, a teaching artist and professor in Israel/Palestine—discussing the evolution of Theatre of the Oppressed (Augusto Boal), bridging polarized communities, and hope.

_{Artwork—by Bridget Woodbury, Creative Generation}

Anna May Wong Quarter

Anna May Wong was the first Chinese American film star in Hollywood and now her image is on a new quarter, the fifth in the American Women Quarters Program.  Find out more about her work as an actress here.  This coin was designed by artists Laura Gardin Fraser, John P. McGraw and Emily Damstra.

Students Use Visual Art for Safety    

Elementary students in Massachusetts proposed the idea of painting an optical illusion crosswalk near their school to encourage drivers to slow down.  Read about their story that’s an intersection of visual arts, civics and safety.

_{Photo – Brooks Center of Citizenship and Social Responsibility}

Dance Teaching Ideas

The Dance Teacher Ideas website has free lesson plans, warm-up and icebreaker ideas, articles, tips and more for teaching dance in the early learning and elementary classroom.

Theatre Can Build Community    

This short article calls out three ways that theatre builds community and how it can be a valuable medium for teaching students about social justice.  Based on a conversation with high school performing arts teacher, Ruthie Pincus.

New Resource!  

Find tips, tools, videos and other resources here to learn about Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and its application in the arts classroom. UDL is a framework for teaching that reduces barriers to learning and offers students with multiple ways to engage and express their learning so that all can reach their potential.

Whole Educator Leadership Institute – Nov 4-5

Educators, paraprofessionals, administrators, support staff, and counselors are invited to participate in this free conference. The focus will be on trauma-invested practices for fostering resilient learning. Attend and be inspired, refreshed, and renewed in your commitment and preparation to promote the success of all students.  Click here to register.

Seattle Theatre Group Matinees

Seattle Theatre Group (STG) presents and produces several matinees each season for school and community groups. To expand learning, workshops and study materials are included with many of the performances.  In an effort to provide accessible arts opportunities for the community, no group will be turned away without trying to find solutions.  See this season’s line up here.

What’s It Like to be a Teenager? – Deadline Nov 16  

The New York Times Learning Network invites teenagers to express what it’s like to grow up now and to capture that in a visual art piece. Each submission will also require an artist’s statement that explains how it relates to the theme.  Click here for information, resources and how to submit.

Register NOW for Poetry Out Loud

Read. Recite. Develop youth voices using the works of great classic and contemporary poets. Learning is aligned with arts learning standards in theatre, and Common Core Standards for English/Language Arts. Poetry Out Loud is a national poetry recitation competition for high school students. Participation is free. Registration is open now through November 18, 2022.

_{Photo – by Jesse Gardner, 2017 Washington State Poetry Out Loud Finalist Amir Matheney.}

Free Professional Learning – Accessibility for All 

For a limited time, the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) is offering this self-paced online learning opportunity focused on designing materials for any learner.  The course will feature edtech tools that have built-in accessibility and usability features allowing learners to have personalized experiences when engaging with content. Register here.

Plan Ahead – Title IV, Part A Stronger Connections Grant

OSPI recently received additional funding for Title IV, Part A of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA) of June 2022. This funding is in addition to the Title IV, Part A funding already allocated to OSPI to make subgrants to local educational agencies (LEAs) during the 2022-23 school year.  With a focus on health and safety, arts learning experiences are eligible for support in this grant.  Reach out to your district’s federal programs contact to learn more.

Join the Conversation!  

The WA Arts Education Collaborative-- arts educators and teaching artists meet the third Wednesday of each month, 4 – 5 pm to discuss ideas and issues relevant to each arts discipline.  Check out the resource page with agendas, notes, and more. Free clock hours available.  Sign up for email notification at TheArts@k12.wa.us.

_{Art – “Mount Tahoma” by Leila Chavez, Superintendent’s High School Art Show, 2022}

National Call for Performing Arts Students

The U.S. Department of Education is issuing a call across the country for student performing artists who are currently enrolled in elementary, secondary or post-secondary education interested in showcasing their talent – virtually or in-person at internal and external Department-hosted events. Performances include, but are not limited to: bands, color guards, choirs, dancers, poets/spoken word artists, theatrical performers, soloists. Click here to learn more. Email questions to studentart@ed.gov.

Arts for All—Join the Movement!

OSPI, the Washington State Arts Commission (ArtsWA), Inspire Washington,  Arts Ed Washington and the Creative Advantage have formed the Arts for All (A4A) Coalition to ensure that all PreK-12 students in Washington State have access to quality arts learning.  A4A seeks to achieve this by developing statewide arts leadership, collecting and analyzing arts education data, and supporting educators and teaching artists through professional learning opportunities. Sign up to stay informed.

What No One Talks About – Deadline Mar 1 

The American Alliance for Theatre & Education (AATE) announces a national playwriting competition for ages 12 to adult.  This year’s theme, “What No One Talks About” encourages writers to address something that is important, but difficult to talk about.  The mission of Playwrights for Change is to “produce meaningful conversations that will ripple across our nation to provoke change.”

• Washington Art Education Association Fall Conference – Collaborate-Create-Connect-Community -- November 4-6th
• WA State Elementary Music Professional Development Calendar organized by the Washington Music Educators Association