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January 6, 2026
Mel Pontious, longtime DPI Arts and Creativity Consultant, passed away on November 2, 2025. Mel served in the role I am honored to hold today for 25 years, and there is hardly a day that goes by when I don’t see the lasting imprint of his work and passion. He was a true champion for the arts in Wisconsin, who thought deeply about how to help every child realize their full potential. His writings remain as powerful and relevant today as they were decades ago.
I am deeply grateful for the many opportunities I had to learn from his teachings, stories, and the rich conversations we shared. I always walked away more curious—one of the hallmarks of a great teacher. His humility and kindness were unmatched.
If you have a moment, I encourage you to read his obituary linked here. What you will find is a life well lived. How fortunate we all were to have crossed paths with such an extraordinary man. I will forever cherish my memories of Mel and will work each day to honor his legacy through the work we do here at DPI.
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Apply For One of SIX $1,000 Arts Celebration Project Grants For Your School! (Application Now Open- Closes Feb 5)
Up to six Wisconsin schools/districts will be selected to each receive $1,000 grants. The funds are to be used to help support the implementation of cross-curricular work using the materials from one of the three current Wisconsin Arts Celebration Projects prior to May 15, 2026.
For example, a school (or multiple classrooms) would do a brief unit on creativity by examing the poem by Dasha Kelly Hamilton entitled, "Like The Wind." Beyond content, students would also explore how the poem was used to inspire the music by Erika Svanoe and motion graphic by Matt Wigdahl. Students would showcase what they learned during an evening concert featuring "Like The Wind" by Erika Svanoe.
A successful project needs to include the following in order to be considered for the grant:
- Utilize the materials from one of the three completed Wisconsin Arts Celebration Projects.
- Be cross disciplinary in nature involving no fewer than two disciplines but one discipline must include the arts.
- Create opportunities for students to demonstrate learning through projects and other demonstrations of learning that is shared publically.
- The submission of a final report to DPI detailing steps taken and the results. This report will be published on DPI's WISELearn platform so that others can replicate the project.
Payment of the $1,000 will be made to the school or district once the project has been completed and the report submitted to DPI by the May 15, 2026 deadline.
APPLY HERE (APPLICATION CLOSES FEB 5)
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Attention Visual Art Educators!
The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction is proud to celebrate the work of our young visual and media art students. Up to 50 Images of student artwork will be selected by a panel each year to be displayed on the Arts & Creativity page of the DPI Website.
NEW IN 2026: SPECIAL ADDITIONAL CATEGORY
April is designated as the Month of the Military Child, underscoring the important role military children play in the armed forces community. This year Art educators can submit two additional student pieces that are specifically created to honor military families and their children for the daily sacrifices and challenges they overcome.
Deadline to Submit is March 23, 2026
Click here to read more and learn how to participate!
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Wisconsin Music Academic Standards Revision Process Begins
Based on the feedback provided during this fall's music standards survey as well as input from music educators across the state, the Wisconsin Music Standards have been approved to be revised.
The revision process will begin with the selection of a writing team that brings together a diverse group of individuals from across the state who represent a variety of perspectives, backgrounds, experiences, and specialities. Once approved, the group will meet multiple times each month discussing, studying, and writing. The process will follow the department's review and revision process allowing for public input and feedback. Look for opportunities to weigh-in during the summer and fall after the initial work has been done.
The new music standards will be presented for approval in October 2026.
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"Like The Wind" in Madagascar!
"Like The Wind" by Erika Svanoe was commissioned by the Wisconsin Arts Board and DPI three years ago to commenorate the 50th Anniversary of the WI Arts Board. Recently a choir from Madagascar performed the work! Watch Here
Learn more about past projects on our website here.
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Hugh Jackman Visits Milwaukee High School of the Arts
The actor known for playing Wolverine in superhero movies made a visit to a Milwaukee high school this week. Hugh Jackman surprised students Dec. 2 at Milwaukee High School of the Arts as part of his visit to Milwaukee for the premiere of his newest movie "Song Sung Blue."
To make the surprise visit happen, Milwaukee High School of the Arts choral director Raymond Roberts said he told his students they were going to be recording a song for a Milwaukee Public Schools' commercial. He thought that would be plausible enough for the students to believe since they had recorded a song for a commercial earlier in the fall. . .To set up Jackman's entrance, Roberts said the movie's director Craig Brewer spoke before students watched a video of Jackman sharing a message of support and encouragement to them and that there would be new instruments. Jackman donated $10,000 to allow the school to purchase new instruments and another $5,000 to help the school make upgrades to its auditorium, Roberts said. Read More Here
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The Greendale High School marching band performs in the 2026 Rose Parade in Pasadena
Greendale High School was again selected as one of the 20 marching bands that participated in the 2026 Rose Parade. This will be their second time at the New Year's Day event, having first attended in 2020.Watch Them Perform Here
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DeForest High School band director selected to perform in Rose Parade
Doug Hoeft, who has been a band instructor for approximately 15 years, is one of 300 band teachers selected to participate in the Band Directors Marching Band during the 5.5-mile parade in Pasadena, California. Learn More Here
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Mount Horeb music students depart to perform in London after yearlong prep
More than 200 Mount Horeb High School students are heading overseas to perform in London’s New Year’s Day Parade, marking months of preparation and a long-standing tradition within the district’s music programs.
The group includes students from band, choir and orchestra, with rehearsals and logistics beginning more than a year ago. Read More Here
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Medical Sciences Orchestra at University of Wisconsin-Madison Finds the Art in Science
Musicians in the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s School of Medicine and Public Health perform classical music with surgical precision as part of the Medical Sciences Orchestra. Founded in 2018 by fourth-year medical student Joohee Son, the orchestra provides a chance for new operations for students, faculty and alumni in the medical field…. Read More Here
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LaCrosse Central High School Performs for Tree Lighting
On Dec. 4, the LaCrosse Central High School Holiday Brass performed at the Governor's Tree Lighting Ceremony. The group and their music educator/director, Jason Harden presented Gov. Evers with a Holiday Brass shirt.
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Music Conference Planning Session
Help plan the 2026 Wisconsin State Music Conference by joining other music educators from around the state and providing input in the conference planning session on Jan. 10, 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. Register through Zoom »
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Student Composition Project
The WSMA Student Composition Project encourages and recognizes the efforts of Wisconsin’s student composers. The program provides student composers in grades 4-12 the opportunity to receive written feedback from a Wisconsin composer regarding the positive qualities of their piece as well as provide ways to improve as a composer in the future.
Spring submissions will be open from February 2 to April 17, 2026. Feedback will be returned within 4-6 weeks of submission. Each participating student will receive a certificate from WSMA recognizing their achievement.
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Visioneer Design Challenge
The Visioneer Design Challenge is a statewide competition for middle and high school students interested in design arts and connecting with professionals from each of the challenge fields. Date: Friday, April 24, 2026 Learn More Here
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Wisconsin Schools Film Festival
Contest entries are accepted online. No qualification process is required to enter; it’s an open contest for any school who is a member – or becomes a member – of WISDAA. Learn More Here
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2026 NDEO National Conference Call for Conference Sessions
The National Dance Education Organization invites dance educators in all sectors, genres, and career stages to apply to present sessions centered around this year’s theme: SYNERGY: Uniting to Progress the Field of Dance Education.
Share your visions, successes, challenges, and works in progress. In a period of turbulence for our country and our field, we need each other more than ever. Now is the time to join forces and buoy each other up with support and collaboration. Join us next September as we convene in Albuquerque, New Mexico to progress the field of dance education.
Learn More and Submit a Session Here by February 3, 2026.
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Deadline Extended: Share How Your Schools Funded Arts Education in 2024–2025!
The Arts Education Alliance and NAMM’s SupportMusic Coalition have extended the deadline for the 2024–25 Federal Funds Survey to January 16. K–12 arts educators and leaders: we want to hear how your school or district used federal funds (Titles I, II, IV-A) to support music, dance, theatre, media arts, and visual arts last year—or how your program was funded if you received little or no federal support. Regardless, your input helps us track impact, identify needs, and strengthen advocacy for arts education nationwide. The survey takes about 20 minutes; for some questions, you’ll need to consult with district staff familiar with federal funding data to ensure accuracy. Take the survey today!
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Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge for High School Students
The Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge, presented by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) in partnership with the National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT), in collaboration with Concord Theatricals, Disney Theatrical Group, NMPA S.O.N.G.S. Foundation and the Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation, is a unique educational and professional development opportunity for high school students all across the country to write and showcase musical compositions that could be part of a musical theater production. A submission is one song.
The Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge is open to High School Students from all 50 states, Washington D.C. and U.S. Territories. Learn more about Eligibility & Guidelines.
Submissions are currently open for the 2025-2026 Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge and will close on February 2, 2026. Learn more about Submitting to the Songwriting Challenge for High School Students!
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NEA Foundation Learning and Leadership Grant (By March 2)
Learning and Leadership Grants are available to individual educators or groups of educators who are pursuing high-quality professional learning experiences that will enhance their classroom teaching, leadership skills, or professional partnerships. Learn More Here
NEA Student Success Grant (By March 2)
Student Success Grants are available to public school educators, specialized instructional support personnel, and education support professionals who are interested in enhancing students’ learning experiences.
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Wisconsin First Nations Education Resources
The resources included on this webpage have been selected to illustrate ways in which teachers can integrate and infuse American Indian Studies (Wisconsin Act 31) content into their instruction and practice. The information from each of these resources can be woven into a school district’s curriculum through a balanced, comprehensive, and aligned framework adaptable to local circumstances. Learn More Here!
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- CMP Winter Workshop
- January 23-24
Looking to connect with colleagues, reflect on your teaching to date and recharge your batteries for second semester? Our Comprehensive Musicianship through Performance (CMP) Winter Workshop is just for YOU! Mentor facilitators and incredible colleagues await you to bring reflective joy into your next few months with students of your studio, elementary and secondary general music classroom, band, choir or orchestra. Participants will explore the points of the model (selection, analysis, strategies, outcomes, and/or assessment) and come together in community. Learn more and register here.
- Hip-Hop Pedagogy Virtual Music Educator Workshop
- February 7
Plan to attend the Hip-Hop Pedagogy Virtual Music Educator workshop, which includes power-packed sessions for band, choir, orchestra and general music. Watch for more information to come.
- Re/sound: Songs of Wisconsin
Refresh your second semester lessons, rehearsals and classroom resources with over one hundred searchable video, educator guide, recorded workshops, student and teacher resources connected to the Re/sound: Songs of Wisconsin project. This partnership between WSMA and PBS Wisconsin Education provide authentic, accurate and easily accessible resources for you and your students to connect culture, music, identity and expression. View these valuable resources via the Re/sound resources pages.
Dance in Communities: Partnerships, Advocacy, and Audience Building
May 19 - June 29 (6 weeks)
Professor: Ali Duffy
1.5 NDEO-Endorsed PDCs
Dance in Communities: Partnerships, Advocacy, and Audience Building will center wholly on advocacy and activism through community- or socially-engaged work. This course will focus on civic infrastructure, audience development, grant writing/fundraising, partnerships, and advocacy. The stakes of and public discussion around dance as an economic and political force in the United States widens the scope of the course to bridge local action with national and international impact. The course includes creation of a personally-relevant community engagement and advocacy plan.
Learn More Here
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2026 Dance Education Summit
2026 Wisconsin Dance Education Summit
April 27, 2026 from 7-8 PM online
Featured Guest - Susan Gingrasso!
Register and Learn More Here
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In his final book, Imagine If... Sir Ken Robinson writes, "We live not in one world, but in two. The first is the world around us: the exterior world of the cities and lands we live in, the people around us, material objects, events, and circumstances. The second world is the world within you: the interior world of your personal consciousness. The world around you exists whether or not you do. It was there when you came into it and it will be there when you have gone. At least we hope. The world within you exists only because you do. It came into being when you did and as far as we know it will cease when you do. Our lives are formed by the constant interactions between these two worlds" (Robinson 35).
It is imperative that our children understand both of the worlds. I believe that the role of education should be to expand our consousness, skills, capacities, and understandings. The arts, by there very nature, create a bridge allowing learners to understand both worlds. The key is to design instruction that not only reflects this understanding, but cultivates, protects and inspires it.
As we begin 2026, let's embrace the opportunities we have to explore new worlds.
Chris
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Chris Gleason- Arts & Creativity Consultant
Teaching and Learning Team 201 West Washington Avenue P.O. Box 7841, Madison, WI 53707-7841 Phone (608) 264-9554 dpi.wi.gov/fine-arts
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The DPI does not sponsor or endorse external resources or events. They are provided for your consideration only.
Do not reply to this email. The teach@info.dpi.wi.gov inbox is not monitored.
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