A monthly spotlight on ideas, strategies, and resources to support and advocate for arts education in Sonoma County.
This newsletter includes:
SONOMA COUNTY RESOURCES AND NEWS
Student Arts Spotlight
Student Arts Spotlight shares the good news of the arts making a difference in students’ lives in a monthly feature. The Sonoma County Arts Education Alliance is pleased to share the work of El Molino Dance Company, as this month’s Arts Education Alliance Student Arts Spotlight.
The video was choreographed by Kali Holdren, senior at El Molino High. Dance film has been a new adventure during these challenging times, invoking creativity and a socially distant outlet. Congratulations, El Molino High School!
Learn about the Student Arts Spotlight and share your students’ accomplishments HERE.
Film A/V Cart
This new feature from the Alexander Valley Film Society offers a free film for students to view outside of class as well as the option for synchronous discussion with a subject-area expert during one or more virtual class sessions. The experts will discuss the film and thematic issues. This is a FREE program being offered to the educators and students of Sonoma County. The films and experts will change every few months so that you can take advantage of our A/V Cart multiple times a year. Get more information HERE.
Over 15 Online Arts Classes for Grades K-8
Starting January 19, the Rincon Valley Education Foundation is offering online classes in theater, visual art, yoga, graphic design and MORE! Take a sneak peak at these classes on January 9 by clicking HERE.
Any student in Sonoma County is welcome to explore a new skill and face a new fun challenge! View the catalog HERE.
Art Rewards the Student (A.R.T.S)
Art Rewards the Student (A.R.T.S.) program brings, free to the schools, experienced teaching artists to Sonoma Valley fourth- and fifth-grade students. Through virtual instruction via school classrooms, students experience art-making projects aimed towards celebrating “The Many Colors of Us” and exploring how art is for everyone, can be created by anyone, and can even change the world. Get more information HERE.
Sonoma County Arts Education Program Directory
Creative Sonoma is adding a new online directory to its website this winter – the Arts Education Program Directory. This directory will list include all types of arts education offerings by Sonoma County cultural organizations, private arts schools/studios, and individual artists to our schools, community centers, families, and any other entities interested in arts education opportunities for young people.
Once published, Creative Sonoma and the Sonoma County Arts Education Alliance will utilize the directory to help schools expand both arts education and arts integration through easier access to experienced arts educators in our community. If you are a Sonoma County-based TK-12 teaching artist or an arts organization and business that provides youth arts education and would like to be listed in the directory, contact Debbie.Yarrow@sonoma-county.org for more information.
AEA Arts Education Leadership Cohort
Congratulations to the participants of the AEA Arts Education Leadership Cohort for completion of professional development in creating, supporting, and advocating arts education programming. Learn more about the Cohort HERE.
GENERAL RESOURCES AND NEWS
Our Kids Need Arts Education Now More Than Ever. Here’s What Is Lost Without It
Young people who study the arts consistently demonstrate higher levels of empathy, social tolerance, and civic engagement, and aren’t those qualities needed now more than ever? The arts are necessary for a transformation of education that empowers our students, creates school community, and connects across disciplines. More funding and leadership at every level are needed to ensure students receive arts in their everyday lives.
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- Read the article from Time Magazine HERE.
Arts Education Policy Trends to Look for in 2021
Trends for arts education include implementation into programming that address isolation, social justice, and racial equity. Resources within the article take a deeper look into how the arts can be used to bring awareness to support communities, schools, and families. Examples provided of strategic advocacy that can bring about meaningful change to advance arts education.
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- Read the article from the Education Commission for the States HERE.
Visit the Creative Sonoma Arts Education page to learn more about arts education projects and opportunities in Sonoma County.