Creative endeavors are calling— so my time at OSPI will come to a close at the end of the year. It’s been an honor to work with you and to serve students and educators across the state in the name of arts education. I know that you will continue this good work to benefit all students in Washington.

I will be in the office through November.  To reach me after this time, janet@janethayakawa.com.

Into the future, please refer any arts education related questions to Denise Davis, denise.davis@k12.wa.us.

With gratitude and appreciation,

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

Blaire Penry is the 2024 Teacher of the Year

Congratulations to Blaire Penry, fine arts and CTE teacher at Auburn Online School in the Auburn School District. “Blaire is especially skilled at building engaging, student-centered learning communities, providing consistent and caring guidance and elevating students’ positive sense of self,” said Nola Wilson, Principal of Auburn Online School. As the state’s Teacher of the Year, Blaire is Washington’s nominee for the National Teacher of the Year.

Health Benefits of the Arts

A recently published report, Arts on Prescription: A Field Guide for US Communities reveals, “the arts can positively affect health, speed recovery and, importantly, find meaning in misfortune and celebrate moments of connection and joy.” Background information, program development and resources are provided to guide those interested in promoting well being through the arts and nature.

Seattle Artist Creates New USPS Stamps

In September, the U.S. Postal Service released a series of four piñata stamps designed by Victor Melèndez. The artist grew up in Mexico City and fondly remembers the piñata, “There’s anticipation, and then finally, the reveal of that candy and confetti.” Melèndez’s works are among 31 stamp issues in 2023. Learn more here.

Artwork – Piñata stamp designed by Victor Melèndez for the U.S. Postal Service, 2023.

 Intersection of Race, Disability Justice & Hip Hop

Meet the Emmy Award-winning Krip-Hop Institute (KHI), a cultural and inclusive platform meeting place for the community. Specializing in the accurate representation of those who are marginalized, especially those who are disabled and Black. KHI was founded by Keith Jones, Leroy Moore and Rob Temple. KHI seeks to increase voices that are missing from within and in popular culture, and challenge mainstream and all media on ways they frame disability. Read this article by Keith Jones, a recognized leader within social justice and disability rights movement to learn more.

Wildlife Photographer of the Year Winners

The Natural History Museum in London has released the 2023 winners of this annual competition. An international panel of expert judges reviewed almost 50,000 entries from 95 countries to select 19 category winners. Awards were based on originality, narrative, technical excellence and ethical practice. See photos and read more here.

Photo – “The Ancient Mariner” by Laurent Ballesta, Wildlife Photographer of the Year, 2023.

Create Media with Early Learners     

This free, self-paced professional learning opportunity for PreK-2 teachers explores how digital tools and non-digital materials can support media creation and media literacy. Click here for more information and to register.

 Dance Lesson Plans for Grades 1 – 6

The Utah based Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company provides free lesson plans in English and Spanish that address dance fundamentals.

Explore Latinx Works in Your Theatre Curriculum

Read this article by the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA) to include more Latinx works in your theatre program’s repertoire and classroom studies. Included are links to speakers, playwrights, performers, and a list of musicals.

Dance is as Important as Math  

The late Sir Ken Robinson (1950 – 2020), author, speaker and international advisor on education in the arts explains why dance is as important as math in the education of the whole child. Excerpted from the book, You, Your Child and School: Navigate Your Way the Best Education by Sir Ken Robinson and Lou Aronica, 2018.

Street Art for Hope and Peace

View this TED Talk to learn from artist, eL Seed. Inspired by street art and graffiti, the artist paints art based in Arabic calligraphy and poetry on buildings throughout the world. eL Seed seeks “to create art so beautiful it needs no translation.” Born and raised in Paris to Tunisian parents, the artist understands the juggle of multiple cultures, languages and identities.

Artwork—by eL Seed

 Academic Learning is Social and Emotional

This self-paced, interactive course with supporting resources will help educators build knowledge and skills to use equity focused Social Emotional Learning (SEL) practices in their classroom instruction. Free clock hours available. This program was developed by OSPI with the American Institutes for Research. Register here.

OSPI Resources 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) & The Arts – articles, lesson plans, videos and tools

Universal Design for Learning & The Arts – background information, videos, tips and tools

Arts Collection on the Washington Open Educational Resources (OER) Hub—standards-aligned lesson plans and resources.

Call for Applications—Deadline: Nov 13

Arts educators in visual/media arts, music, theatre, and dance from across the country are invited to apply to be part of a Connected Arts Networks (CAN) Professional Learning Community (PLC). These virtual PLCs will meet monthly (school year) January 2024 – June 2026. There will be a focus on equity, diversity, and inclusion; social emotional learning; and teacher leadership through standards-based arts instruction.  See application questions here. Apply here. Learn and represent WA!

Academic Learning is Social and Emotional Webinar—Nov. 16, 4 – 5 pm

Attend this webinar to learn more about this self-paced, interactive course with supporting resources will help educators build knowledge and skills to use equity focused Social Emotional Learning (SEL) practices in their classroom instruction. Free clock hours available. This program was developed by OSPI with the American Institutes for Research. Register here.

Registration Deadline: Nov 17

High school students in grades 9 – 12 are invited to participate in the 2023-2024 Washington State Poetry Out Loud (POL) program. Supported by the National Endowment for the Arts and The Poetry Foundation, POL is a national poetry recitation competition. Participants develop self-confidence and public speaking skills while connecting with literature in new ways.

Photo—Matthew Valentine, 2023 Washington State Poetry Out Loud Champion from Olympia High School, by Pavel Verbovski.

ABLE Conversation Symposium—Nov 18, 8:00 – 11:30 am

The Berklee College of Music presents this free professional development opportunity to share best practices and explore new research in arts education and individuals with disabilities. The symposium includes presentations, performances and facilitated discussion. Featured keynotes: Maria R. Palacios (“Goddess on Wheels”) and Peter Shankman.  Advance registration required.

WA Arts Educator Collaborative -- Nov. 29, 4-5 pm

Meet with colleagues (arts educators, teaching artists, and administrators) to discuss current issues in arts education. Monthly, virtual convenings.  Earn one clock hour for each session. To get notifications and updates email TheArts@k12.wa.us. 

Submit an Original Song—Deadline: Dec 4

The National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with the National Alliance for Musical Theatre is accepting submissions for the Musical Theatre Songwriting Challenge. This year, there will be more opportunities for high school students to develop and showcase musical compositions that could be part of a musical theater production. Two WA students, Elsa Miller and Tyler Kinnaman were winners in the last competition in 2021.

Registration Open for Immersive Student Learning  

Located in Port Townsend, Centrum in partnership with OSPI, gathers artists and scientists with students and teachers for a series of intensive, residential learning experiences. Highly capable students are encouraged to apply. Scholarships available. Register early, space is limited. Opportunities in 2024 include:

Explorations – Grades 7-9, March 3-8, 2024-- a multi-genre exploration in the arts.

Water World – Grades 5-6, May 5- 10, 2024-- a study of the marine environment through the lens of art and science.

Dance This! – Grades 9-12, August 4-11, 2024-- an in-depth opportunity to learn a wide range of dance styles, techniques and choreography.

Submit Student Art to Your ESD 

It’s time to work with high school visual art students to create original artworks (2-dimensional and 3-dimensional) for your local Education Service District (ESD) Art Show. In early 2024, finalists from the ESD art shows will be submitted to the Superintendent’s High School Art Show, where statewide awards will be given.  To see winners from previous years, click here. To enter student work in a regional art show, contact your local ESD, deadlines vary.

Call for Student Performing Artists

The U.S. Department of Education is issuing a “call” across the United States and its territories for student performing artists who are currently enrolled in elementary, secondary, or post-secondary schools or accredited trade schools, who exemplify resilience, diversity, and excellence and are interested in showcasing their talent, virtually or in-person, at internal and external Department-hosted events.  Student performances can be, but are not limited to, bands/marching bands, color guards, soloists, choirs, dancers, poets/spoken word artists, and theatrical performers. Learn more and start a submission here.

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.

  Save these Dates!

• Art of Belonging 2024 – Art & Migrant Education State Conference, August 15-16, Yakima Convention Center
• WA State Elementary Music Professional Development Calendar organized by the Washington Music Educators Association
• Superintendent’s High School Art Show Awards Ceremony – May 28, 2024 @ OSPI