Letters from the Executive Director
Can you imagine a classroom in which every child is engaged and focused? One in which students value the work of their classmates and are confident about their own? An environment that encourages students both to look inside themselves for inspiration and to be curious about a world outside their own experience? This kind of classroom isn't merely imaginary — it exists wherever the arts play a significant role in learning. As a teacher, I see how important it is for my students to be truly engaged. When they make a model or play-act an event, they become invested in the process — they visualize context, notice details, and figure out new ways to solve problems. Art has the power to make learning real. Although most children won't become artists, most are visual learners whose exposure to visual language brings the world around them into focus. Art education reaches every student: the scholar and the athlete; the techie and the dreamer; the self-starter in the front row and the child hiding in the back, waiting to see a language that finally makes sense. Yet some educators dismiss the arts as frill. Ninety-eight percent of teachers say they lack confidence to teach art, and many schools cut art instruction so they can focus on "the basics." At Art in Action, we believe that art is basic. I founded Art in Action when my daughter was in kindergarten because I didn't want budget cuts to rob her or her classmates of the very real benefits of a quality art curriculum. Twenty-eight years later, Art in Action is a leading art educator, fulfilling the dream of parents and educators who believe that all children should have an excellent, well-rounded education. Great schools have great art programs; Art in Action seeks to make every school — and every student — great. |
Judy Sleeth |
From the Art in Action monthly newsletter:
September 2010: Congress declares "Arts in Education Week"
Congress has named the second week of September "Arts in Education Week." Most people agree that art is a critical part of every child's education, yet, when funds are limited, art is often the first thing cut from school budgets. Congress recognizes that arts education develops creativity, imagination, and cross-cultural understanding, and that arts are "the critical link between those skills and preparing our children for gaining a competitive edge in the global economy." Art in Action brings high quality art education to our students, teaching art appreciation, art history, and art skills. Art in Action is a nonprofit organization, creating affordable and sustainable programs that engage students in their learning in every subject area. Through partnerships with schools, parents and donors, we are able to provide this critical link to their futures.August 2010: Seeing Masterpieces Close Up
Recently I stood awestruck in a room at the de Young Museum in San Francisco surrounded by paintings by Renoir, Degas, Monet and Cezanne. It has been a rare experience and one that I would wish for you and your children. In our Program Level 3 we feature The Dance Class by Degas; this painting is actually hanging at the de Young for a short while just waiting for Art in Action students to marvel at it. Viewing these paintings might be one of those amazing experiences that your children will remember forever. After all, isn't instilling the appreciation of art through art history a reason why we value art and participate in the Art in Action Program? With only a few more weeks of summer left, make time to share art experiences like this one with your family.
July 2010: Fill Your Summer with Art
Transform summer with an exciting art project that will engage the whole family. Start with inspiration. Visit an art exhibit such as Impressionism at the de Young Museum or Shanghai at the Asian Art Museum. Then pick a favorite artist or style to learn about. For each artist, make a scrapbook or PowerPoint collection. Learn about their life, their art, and their world through books, websites, and visiting other museums that have "real" art by your special artists. Draw and paint in the artist's style; for example, try plein air (outdoor) painting, or Chinese brush painting. Learn a few art words from their language, and find clothing styles in the artist's time. Enjoy a celebration event to present the projects, such as cooking a French dinner or eating at a Chinese restaurant.
June 2010: Pride in Art
Congratulations on your wonderful Art in Action Art Shows! Children grow from seeing their artwork displayed. A child feels pride when she sees that you like what she has done enough to share it. Pride in performance encourages effort. He is rewarded for his achievement. He had to solve some problems such as drawing details, mixing colors, or balancing the composition in order to successfully complete his artwork. Success through hard work helps students set high standards. When her art is part of a show, a student discovers how her creative ideas bring pleasure to others. Creative art projects foster independent and resourceful thinking. Displaying student art in public places builds student pride and connects the entire community. Thanks to all the Art in Action schools for bringing quality art education and beautiful art shows to your students.
May 2010: Transforming the School Environment
Art in the hallways is a sure sign that your school is special. It gives evidence of engaged students in an exciting learning environment. Art celebrates both the students' creative talents and the school's stimulating environment. Visit the annual art show at an Art in Action school and you will see a vibrant art community where parents have transformed a room into a museum of self-portraits, collage figures, abstract paintings, and clay sculptures. Learning through art transforms the way children think. They observe more closely, imagine other possibilities, and recognize divergent solutions. The Art in Action Program inspires all learning styles. Lessons develop creativity, problem solving skills, and critical thinking skills essential for success in the classroom and the workplace. As art transforms your school, notice how adults and children discover new possibilities and begin to think in new ways.
April 2010: The Importance of Parental Involvement
Remember how excited your child was to have you help in the classroom? When Mrs. Nelson taught the Art in Action lessons, her son David started to pay attention in class. He was proud of having his mom there. And she learned how David related to his classmates, how the teacher motivated him, and whom he liked to play with. Studies show that when parents are involved in school activities, their child achieves more, has a more positive attitude, and shows greater pride. The Art in Action Program is structured so anyone can teach the lessons - no experience needed. The lessons provide an art experience that enriches both children and parents. They develop skills and a love of art that families build on by visiting museums and creating art together. Parents report that they learn as much as their child when they teach Art in Action. Thank you parents for being involved.
March 2010: Arts Education Month
March is Arts Education month. You and I know how important the arts are in giving a child a complete, both-sides-of-the-brain education. But sometimes art is seen as a frill, and is too easily cut from the program. How can you help get more art into our financially troubled schools? Try this: Tell your friends how art has made a difference in your life, and ask them why art is important to them. Art encourages creative thinking, problem solving, and learning through multiple intelligences. Tell other parents, teachers, and the principal how art has enriched your child, and make sure the school has a quality, sequential art program. With the current emphasis on testing and convergent thinking, we need to keep the art program active in order to develop divergent thinkers and imaginative children. Start a wave of support for the arts by sharing your own experiences as you advocate for the best possible education for your children and our future.
February 2010: The Conceptual Age
We are entering the Conceptual Age. Skills important in the Conceptual Age are finding creative solutions, conceptualizing ideas, and evaluating possibilities. To develop these skills, both sides of the brain need to work together. According to Daniel Pink in A Whole New Mind, "The future belongs to a very different kind of person with a very different kind of mind - creators and empathizers, pattern recognizers and meaning makers. These people...will now reap society's richest rewards and share its greatest joys." Art in Action is dedicated to making sure your students are prepared for the future by giving them the necessary skills - innovation, creativity, and imagination to ensure they are successful in the emerging Conceptual Age.
January 2010: The Arts as Fuel
All children need an art education as part of their basic school experience. In his book Can We Rescue the Arts for America's Children? Dr. Charles Fowler states, "The need for literacy in English language, mathematics, science, and history is critical. But this objective should not allow us to overlook the importance of the arts and what they can do for the mind and spirit of every child. Educational administrators and school boards need to be reminded that schools have a fundamental obligation to provide the fuel that will ignite the mind, spark the aspirations, and illuminate the total being. The arts can often serve as that fuel." Visual art is the inspiration for writing creatively, illustrating science, documenting history, and constructing mathematical principles. The Art in Action Program helps teachers integrate the arts into their classrooms in a meaningful way. For example, history comes alive in 8th grade as students learn about the immigrant experience and then create their own mixed media personal narrative inspired by Chinese-American Artist Flo Oy Wong. Art in Action is committed to making art education a part of every child's school experience.
December 2009: Thank You All!
A great year at Art in Action is coming to fulfillment. We are so thankful to our Art in Action family and friends for all you have contributed to bringing art to children! We appreciate opportunities to work with so many wonderful parents, teachers, principals and volunteers. We are grateful for partnerships with public libraries for displaying art, to businesses for sponsoring our events, and to banks for hosting events and art shows. We thank foundations, corporations, and generous individual donors. Most of all, we are grateful for the wide-eyed wonder, curiosity, and excitement from children as they immerse themselves in Art in Action lessons. Thanks to all of you for the work you do! Your enthusiasm and thoughtful contributions bring vibrancy and quality to the Art in Action Program. We wish you all a happy and healthy holiday season and New Year.
November 2009: Art Education Makes a Difference
More than 10 million American children don't have access to art education. The arts are important in developing the whole brain and the whole child. Through art, children see the world around them in new ways. They think differently, and they engage in their learning with a unique energy and focus. Evidence shows that students with strong art programs do better academically and are more involved in their community. Today's students need to develop their imaginations to become tomorrow's leaders. Art in Action believes every child should have access to a quality art education. The new Online Lessons are rich with information and animations. They engage students and enable teachers to incorporate the power of art into the classroom. Help Art in Action bring art to more students by telling your friends about the program, volunteering in your child's classroom, and making a donation to Art in Action. Give a gift that grows with a child, enriching their lives and providing tools for success.
October 2009: Children Deserve an Art Education
You are making a real difference in children's lives when you teach art! I believe that all children deserve to have a great art program as part of their education, because art engages their full minds, ignites their creativity, and develops their critical thinking. At Art in Action, we are changing the way art is taught with our new Online Lessons with thousands of pages on our new website to support the teaching of art appreciation, art history, and art skills. I am delighted that we can provide this amazing resource. Together, let's make sure that all children get a wonderful art education!
September 2009: The Cutting Edge of Art Education
Art in Action is blooming. As we enter the 2009-10 school year, we have exciting new dimensions to help you bring art to your children. Inspiring workshops, empowering training, and stunning student art shows will enrich your experience. I'm thrilled to share our new website that you helped design, where the Art in Action Program has been brought to life for you online! You asked for on-demand training - here it is. You said you would like to add content - an Art in Action Wiki is in every lesson! You suggested a discussion board - please share your success stories and get ideas from others! Create your account and join us at the cutting edge of art education - illustrated to inspire your inner artist!