I was walking down the hall one morning on my way to go check my mailbox when my principal, Clark, stopped me and said, "Chris, what do you do?" I looked at him blankly and said, "Um, what do you mean?" He repeated the question, "Chris, what do you do here?" I blurted out, "I teach music Clark. You hired me. Feeling ok today?" With a rye smile he grabbed my shoulders and stared deep into my eyes and said, "Chris, you do much more than teach music - you teach kids. Never forget that." 

That moment changed me. It changed my teaching. While I dedicated myself to learning as much as I could about my content area I never lost sight that my true purpose: to teach young hearts and minds through my discipline. 

We live in a time of complexity. I will always be thankful to Clark who always found a way to get right to the point and to focus on what matters most - the kids! Wishing you all clarity of thought and purpose as we continue to navigate complex times. 

Warmly,

Chris

Public Comment Ends TODAY (Oct 1) at 11:59 PM (CT) for MUSIC and THEATRE Wisconsin Standards Revision Process

The survey is part of the revision and review cycle that all Wisconsin academic standards go through. Your responses will be shared with the State Superintendent’s Academic Standards Review Council, who may or may not recommend revision to the State Superintendent. If the State Superintendent determines revisions are necessary, your responses will be further shared with a writing committee.

MUSIC

Music Intent to Review Notice

Music Standards Public Comment Survey (CLOSES OCT 1)

Music Standards Writing Team Interest Form 

THEATRE

Theatre Intent to Review Notice

Theatre Standards Public Comment Survey (CLOSES OCT 1)

Theatre Standards Writing Team Interest Form

Artists & Musicians Shine at State of Education Address

Mark Your Calendars - Wisconsin Arts Celebration Project 2025 "Connection" Goes LIVE on November 7!

Now in its third year, the Wisconsin Arts Celebration Project (WACP) continues to demonstrate the interconnectedness of the arts and the unique capacity it has to teach essential human capacities. The 2025 WACP centers on the theme of “Connection”. As researcher and author, Brene Brown stated, "Connection is why we're here. We are hardwired to connect with others, it's what gives purpose and meaning to our lives, and without it there is suffering." Wisconsin Poet Laureate, Nicholas Gulig, has crafted a poem entitled, "Yellow Birds of Morning" relates how words and music connect us to each other and the world. This deeply rich poem serves as a "touchpoint" for all of the other artistic creations including the following commissioned works. 

The project will "Go LIVE" on the Arts & Creativity Page of the DPI Website on November 7. To learn more and to see a list of our contributing artists and educators, head to our website: https://dpi.wi.gov/fine-arts/wisconsin-arts-celebration-project-2025-biographies

Behind the scenes view lets teens explore careers in the arts

A summer program called the Arts Career Exploration Spotlight program, or ACES, based at Madison’s Overture Center aims to widen the view of its teen participants. ACES takes young students backstage and behind the scenes at a number of the area’s arts organizations. The message is that there is a much greater diversity in arts-related careers than most people realize.

“There’s this whole ecosystem of careers that you could do that are involved in the arts,” said Heavyn Dyer-Jones, a program counselor.  Read More and Watch Their Amazing Video Here

Finding joy and confidence in writing with new ‘Whoopensocker’ collection

PBS Wisconsin Education, in partnership with the University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Education, recently launched Whoopensocker, a new educational resource collection for upper elementary learners that provides an on-ramp to writing through group games and scaffolded lessons. Read More Here

Susan Gingrasso selected for NDEO 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award

The National Dance Education Organization is awarding the Language of Dance Center Executive Director Susan Gingrasso the 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award: Living Artist/Educator. 

NDEO describes this honor as, “The most prestigious award conferred, the Lifetime Achievement Award is given for exemplary leadership, scholarship and/or artistry, and philanthropy or service to dance education.”

Susan’s outstanding career includes 32 remarkable years at University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point as both Professor and Program Head; writing for the Wisconsin Curriculum Guidelines and State Standards; and service to our field leading numerous initiatives for NDEO!

Medicine Meets Music: Listen to the Medical College of Wisconsin Orchestra

As if the research and education at the Medical College of Wisconsin weren't impressive enough, a group of talented medical professionals and students has formed a small band... well, actually it's rather large. It's called the Medical College of Wisconsin Orchestra. Read More Here

The 2026 Wisconsin/NASAO International Art Contest theme has been announced!!

“Fly to Save Lives” is the theme. Click here to find the brochure for the art contest. Wisconsin entries can be sent to the address listed on the brochure; entries are to be received by Jan 16, 2026. This art contest is open to youth ages 6-17.

The top three entries in each age group will advance to the national competition and receive an award certificate along with gift card, art supplies, and an airplane ride for the winner and a guest!

Winners will be announced and contacted in February! Let’s spark that aviation interest through art and hopefully inspire some youth with the magic of flight!

Art Above: 1st Place: Sofia Garcia-Vazquez | North Carolina, Age 13

The Wisconsin Science Festival is a statewide celebration of science, technology, engineering, art, and math with activities for people of all ages, backgrounds, and interests throughout Wisconsin. Events include hands-on science exhibitions, demonstrations, performances, tours, pub nights, workshops and more.

Founded in 2011 on the premise that art and science go hand-in-hand, the festival has grown from a few days of events in Madison to a full week of activities spanning over a hundred cities. The Wisconsin Science Festival continues to grow, welcoming new event hosts and attendees every year. Join us October 16-26, 2025 to unleash your curiosity! Click Here To Learn More!

The application process for WEDC’s Fabrication Laboratories (Fab Labs) Grant Program will be reopening soon for a new round of grants.  The grant program goals and selection criteria are now available for fiscal year 2026 so your district can determine whether you wish to apply and begin to plan your application. We will begin accepting applications Oct. 13, 2025.  Applications will be due Jan. 15, 2026. Visit WEDC’s Fab Labs Grant Program webpage to learn more about the program, including definitions and eligibility criteria, and find information on the application process.

Finding Connections

Sharon Tang is a multidisciplinary artist, muralist, and scientist who was born in Hong Kong and raised in Queens, NY. After completing her undergraduate degree in studio art and Russian studies, she taught kindergarten in Washington, D.C. and then earned her master’s degree in speech-language pathology. She currently lives in Madison, WI and balances art making with her doctoral program in cell and molecular biology.

Sharon often draws on her experience in education, communication, and the sciences to drive her creative practice and connect with the public. She has worked as a community artist with Dane Arts Mural Arts (DAMA) where she also developed curriculum and facilitated DAMA’s mural making fundamentals course. As a 2022-2024 Kohler Art Fellow at the Wisconsin Institute of Discovery, she created an interactive, multimodal, traveling art installation in collaboration with a geneticist to promote informal scientific learning and educational access. She is broadly driven by the intersections found in curiosity and connection and strives to combine these elements through public art to help communities engage in the spaces around them. Learn More About Sharon and Her Work Here!

The Arts as a
Nonpartisan Issue

The arts strengthen the fabric of America's communities, help our national and local
economies to flourish, improve education outcomes, contribute to good health, and preserve our cherished traditions. Because these are consensus values, the arts are a nonpartisan issue that enjoys support across the political spectrum. Read More Here!

New Research Brief Released By NEA

The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has released a new research brief: Arts Education in U.S. Public Schools: Insights from the November 2024 School Pulse Panel Survey

In 2024, 93 percent of public schools in the U.S. offered at least one standalone arts class during the school day, according to a survey by the National Center for Education Statistics at the U.S. Department of Education. This new research brief dives deeper into the survey results, examining the types of arts education courses offered, instructional time, staffing, and extracurricular and partnership opportunities. The report considers how these characteristics vary by school level, school size, region, locale, school neighborhood poverty level, and other factors.

Why dancing can be more powerful than antidepressants

A recent meta-analysis of 218 trials found that dancing, particularly group dance, is more effective at reducing symptoms of depression than walking, yoga, and even traditional treatments like medication or therapy. Experts believe dance's unique "neurochemical symphony" of physical activity, joy, self-expression, and social connection contributes to its powerful effect. Read More Here

New Music Education Advocacy Platform Launches

Music IS Education brings together state and national music education organizations to support effective advocacy at the state and local levels. Sharing trusted resources and new technologies in support of advocacy, we showcase best practices; stories of success; links to arts education data, policies, and research; and opportunities to connect with fellow advocates across the country. Come join the conversation, learn what opportunities are on the horizon, and get prepared for the coming year of advocacy in support of high-quality music and arts education for all students in your district, your state, and across the nation.

The Music IS Education Coalition is made up of many education and industry partners, including the American Choral Directors Association, the American String Teachers Association, Music for All, the National Association for Music Education, the National Federation of State High School Associations, NAMM, the NAMM Foundation, Percussive Arts Society, Quadrant Research, Save the Music Foundation, Young Audiences: Arts for Learning and many others. Learn More Here