| |
|
Feb. 2, 2026
“How the Arts Transform Us” is the subtitle of Your Brain on Art by Ivy Ross and Susan Magsamen. In this book, the authors demonstrate that engaging with the arts is essential to human health, learning, and flourishing. They share groundbreaking research, insights from multidisciplinary pioneers, and compelling stories of individuals who are using the arts to enrich and transform their lives.
Why does this matter? Advocates for the arts have long articulated their relevance and significance in education. However, until recent technological and medical advances, the full scope of the arts’ impact has been difficult to quantify or communicate. We now understand that the arts are essential because they change us—physically, mentally, and spiritually. It is time to shift our perception of the arts from something that is “nice to have if time remains or budgets allow” to something that is fundamental to human development and, ultimately, to our collective survival.
You might be thinking, “Whoa—slow down. That sounds a bit overdramatic.” Yet I would argue that learning in and through the arts is precisely what our students—and our society—need. After hearing students perform in Japan in April of 1961, Pablo Casals remarked, “Perhaps it is music that will save the world.” While I love this sentiment, I would amend it slightly: perhaps the arts will save the world.
|
|
|
Only A Few Days Remaining: WACP Grant
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 examining 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.
APPLICATION CLOSES FEBRUARY 5
Click here to apply and learn more.
|
2026 Wisconsin Arts Celebration Project Planning Underway!
I am thrilled to announce that the planning for the 2026 WI Arts Celebration Project has already begun! The theme will be "Collaboration". Below is a list of just a few of the amazing folks involved in this next version of the project.
|
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!
|
 |
|
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
|
 UPDATE on Music and Theatre Standards
Based on the feedback provided during this fall's music standards and theatre standards surveys as well as input from educators across the state, the Wisconsin Music Standards have been approved to be revised while the Theatre Standards will remain as is until the next renewal cycle.
The music standards writing team was assembled to reflect a balance of experience, content expertise, geographic representation, and ethnicity. The writing 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.
Theatre as a Craft‑Based Learning Space
by Bruce Cohen
Wisconsin educators are increasingly asked to help students build real‑world skills through applied learning, academic and career planning, and hands‑on classroom experiences. While these goals often point toward technical education or work‑based learning, one of the most effective applied‑learning environments already exists in many districts: theatre production.
Although theatre is often described in terms of creativity and performance, the day‑to‑day work of putting on a show is fundamentally craft‑based learning. Students learn by doing, under supervision, in settings where accuracy, timing, safety, and repeatable processes matter. This structure mirrors the logic of many recognized craft fields and aligns closely with Wisconsin’s priorities for skill‑building, collaboration, and career‑connected instruction.
The craft logic behind theatre work
Every production requires students to engage in structured, hands‑on tasks. In scenic construction, they measure, cut, assemble, and finish materials. In costume construction, they pattern, stitch, alter, and repair garments. In backstage and run‑crew roles, they manage quick changes, maintain equipment, and coordinate time‑sensitive workflows. These tasks are not abstract. They require precision, problem‑solving, and teamwork under real deadlines. Read The Rest Of The Article Here
Bruce Cohen is an Associate Professor in the Theatre/Dance Department at the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater, where his work blends directing, dramaturgy, and applied theatre pedagogy with curriculum and program design. He coordinates and supervises the BSE Theatre Education track, guiding emerging theatre educators through coursework, field experiences, and licensure preparation. His teaching and creative practice focus on connecting the craft‑artistry of theatre to clear, student‑focused pathways that support educational and workforce readiness.
|
|
|
Appleton North HS has taken top drama honors for 27 years. Here's how.
For 26 years, Appleton North High School's drama program had taken home top awards in the Wisconsin High School Theatre Festival one-act play competition. For the competition's final round Nov. 22, 2025, at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, over 40 cast and crew members from Appleton were set to perform an adaptation of "Arabian Nights" by Mary Zimmerman. Read More Here
2025 SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 106
Congratulating Greendale HS Marching Band on Recent Accomplishments. Read the full resolution here. Congratulations Greendale!
St. Croix Valley Foundation awards $42,000 in Music Education Grants to schools across the valley
The grants will support music programs that expand student access, foster creativity and strengthen learning through the arts. Funded projects this year range from hands-on drumming and culturally rooted music experiences, to professional musician residencies, instrument access initiatives and student collaborations with composers and ensembles. Read More Here
Broadway star brings big dreams to Wausau students
WAUSAU, Wis. (WAOW) - A star of Broadway, TV, and film stopped in Wausau, Wednesday, bringing inspiration straight to the classroom.
8th graders Aryana and Cayden sat front row to see popular actor Eric Peterson as he shared his journey to the big screen. Both members of the school’s drama and theatre club say the experience was a lesson in growth, perseverance, and possibility. “Having Eric here today opened my mind more. It helped me figure out certain things to do as an actor,” says Aryana. Read More Here
|
|
WMEA Capitol Concerts Announced
The Wisconsin Music Educators Association (WMEA) Capitol Concerts occur in March in the State Capitol Rotunda, featuring diverse, selected school music ensembles to celebrate Music In Our Schools Month. The 2026 series includes performances from school groups from across the state beginning on the scheduled dates at Noon. Concerts are free and open to the public.
|
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
|
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
|
|
 |
Spotlighting Wisconsin
This series spotlights arts organizations across the state (including some of our wonderful grantees), and showcases the amazing work they do in their communities, along with sharing the "why" or what drives them as an organization to do the work they do. Learn More Here
|
2026 National Conference - Call for Presenters - DEADLINE EXTENDED THROUGH 2/10/26
NDEO 2026 National Conference - SYNERGY: Uniting to Progress the Field of Dance Education
Thursday, September 24 - Sunday September 27, 2026
Pre-Conference Intensives on Thursday, September 24
Albuquerque Convention Center | Albuquerque, NM
We invite 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 Here
|
|
|
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. Learn More Here
|
|
Wisconsin STEAM Externship Opportunity Launches! Application Due Feb. 15
What is a STEAM Teacher Externship? STEAM teacher externs are given the opportunity to work alongside local workplace professionals for 7 weeks during the summer to gain career knowledge and experience to take back to their classroom. Teachers are carefully placed with workplace partners based on interest and skills to make the experience beneficial for both host and teacher.
Learn More and Apply Here
|
|
Why Theatre Training Could Be the Future of K-12 Education
PsychED | Psychology Today
The concept of the BANI World was proposed by Jamais Cascio in 2018 and further refined in 2020 to describe four major characteristics of future society: Brittle, Anxious, Nonlinear, and Incomprehensible. Compared to the previous VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity) World, the BANI World more accurately depicts the increasingly complex and volatile global situation and trends. Read More Here
Karl B: Your Personal Advocacy Assistant
Karl Bruhn is recognized as the father of the modern-day music and arts education advocacy movement. After a long career as a senior executive at Yamaha Corporation, Karl was NAMM’s first director of Market Development, where he imagined and then led the National Commission for Music Education in 1990, the predecessor to the National Coalition for Music Education, whose work ultimately led to the arts being named a core subject in 1994.
Our “Karl B.” advocacy assistant was inspired by the work of this legendary music advocate and is based on many of his advocacy strategies that have withstood the test of time and continue to have an impact on millions of students.
Learn More and Access Karl B Here
|
February 5, 2026 Webinar: Model State Legislation and Peer Networking!
The next Music IS Education webinar will be held on February 5, 2026 at 7 PM. Topic: Model State Legislation and Peer Networking. Also, new resources! For previous webinars, visit our webinars page located here!
Register for the Webinar Here
|
|
|
Hip Hop is a uniquely American story, and today it is the most influential music genre across the globe. Learn how to leverage hip hop music in the traditional music classroom–band, choir, orchestra, general music– from hip hop performers, creators and visionaries. Date and Time: Saturday, February 28 from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Central
Music Will Professional Development Opportunities
Music Will is a non-profit music education organization that strives to make music education available to all students and reflective of the cultures of the students served. Music Will recognizes that many music educators don’t have access to resources or professional development training. Music Will supports teachers through free virtual and in-person workshops, curricular resources, and creating a community for teachers to inspire and learn from each other as they strive to positively impact their students.
Through this online opportunity, Music Will hopes to reach all teachers, especially rural teachers, where traveling to professional learning opportunities may be a barrier.
If you or your team have any questions about modern band or are interested in exploring professional development opportunities within your district, Music Will is happy to connect. Discover all of Music Will’s upcoming professional development opportunities.
Modern Band 101
Music Will is hosting Modern Band 101, a free, online professional development workshop for P-12 teachers on Saturday, February 7, 2026, from 10 AM CT to 4 PM CT. Music Will is one of the nation’s largest music education nonprofits. Music Will specializes in modern band, meaning the professional development and curricular resources that empower teachers and students to explore and perform a variety of popular music genres, including pop, rock, Latin, R&B, hip hop, and country. Register for Modern Band 101 on Saturday, February 7, 2026. In addition to this free, online professional learning, Teachers who attend their first Modern Band 101 become eligible to apply for instrument donations for their classroom through Music Will’s National Instrument Fund.
Additionally, Music Will provides free curricular resources. JamZone offers lessons, practice tracks, and song charts for various instruments, including guitar, keyboard, drums, bass guitar, ukulele, music tech, vocals, and songwriting. Music Will Academy features interactive asynchronous professional learning courses on guitar, drums, keyboard, songwriting, hip hop, technology as an instrument, and more designed to teachers build their skills through joyful music making. All of these resources are completely free, and they can be utilized in both curricular and extracurricular settings.
The Play Make Learn Conference is a place for collaboration and discovery in the design, research and practice of playful learning, games for learning and positive social impact, making and makerspaces, STEAM education, and arts in education. PML creates an inspirational space for preK-12 educators, designers, developers, innovators, librarians, museum professionals, makers, and researchers to tinker together, share knowledge, and celebrate one another’s work.
Submit Your Proposal Here: go.wisc.edu/PMLsubmit
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
