A monthly spotlight on ideas, strategies, and resources to support and advocate for arts education in Sonoma County.
This newsletter includes:
Announcing the “Student Arts Spotlight” for Sonoma County
The Sonoma County Arts Education Alliance (AEA) is calling for student artwork and performance submissions for a new monthly feature called “Student Arts Spotlight.” The purpose of this feature is to demonstrate, acknowledge, and celebrate students learning in and through the arts. The feature is intended to create good news about arts education in our community and represent a variety of students, ages, geographic locations, and art forms. Samples selected will be featured in this blog and in the Creative Sonoma communication channels.
ELIGIBILITY
Applicants may include students K-12 from any Sonoma County school. Submissions can come from arts teachers, classroom teachers, arts organizations, or teaching artists, to name a few. The submission can feature one or many students, as well as feature the work of the student(s), not that of the teacher. Preference is given for activities that occur during the school day.
EVALUATION CRITERIA
The submissions will be assessed on the following criteria: the amount of engagement demonstrated in the submission; demonstration of innovation, diversity, and/or quality of work in one or several art forms will be noted, and submission of sample comes with permissions from all parties.
HOW TO APPLY
The entry form can be found HERE. An image or video sample must be uploaded in the Google form. Questions? Contact debbie.yarrow@sonoma-county.org.
Funding in the Arts in the New Reality, LCAP, Title I, and Beyond
The AEA presents a virtual meetup on Wednesday, December 2, 2020, 4:00-5:00pm, for Sonoma County district and school administrators, curriculum and instruction directors, trustees, and education funders to learn about “Funding the Arts in the New Reality, LCAP, Title I and Beyond,” to explore another example of a local district’s “Promising Practices in the Arts,” and network with other advocates.
The special guest presenter is Tom DeCaigny, Executive Director of the California Alliance for Arts Education. Register HERE.
Teaching Drama in Distance Learning
Theater is an effective teaching tool that allows students to express themselves during in-person, and online classrooms. After selecting a script by having students read and experience the story, cast the show by asking students to choose favorite roles and the reasons for choosing them.
For the teacher, this can provide insight into students’ fears and emotions. Have students try out emotions, so they can better understand how emotions tie with behaviors. How are these emotions and behaviors found in our everyday lives? Costumers, design, and sound add opportunities for creativity and expression. Theater allows for safe risk, and an opportunity to try out empathy, community, and teamwork, especially important in an online classroom.
- Read the article from Edutopia HERE.
Parents’ Guide to Arts Education in California Public Schools
This Guide was created with parents, guardians and families of students in the California public school system in mind. By using the guide, they show that all students – not just the talented – should have the opportunity to express their unique individuality through creating and learning in and through the arts. This reader-friendly guide provides an overview of what children across the state should learn in the arts disciplines of dance, music, theatre, media arts and visual arts by the end of each grade level.
- Read more from the California State PTA HERE.
Visit the Creative Sonoma Arts Education page to learn more about arts education projects and opportunities in Sonoma County.