Teachers as Artists

Article Featuring 2009 Fellows Karyn Brotman and Virginia Kropas

2009-06-26T11:51:00.002-04:00

The Allston-Brighton TAB just came out with a great article highlighting 2009 Teachers as Artists Fellows Karyn Brotman, Horace Mann School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and Virginia Kropas, Brighton High School. Read all about it!
Click here:
http://www.wickedlocal.com/allston/fun/entertainment/arts/x931197575/Brighton-teachers-get-teachers-as-artists-grants

Harbor School Visit

2009-05-21T13:25:00.004-04:00

Visiting the Harbor School...I don’t know where to begin…there’s so much to say. Last Friday I went to check out Jozeph Zaremba’s visual arts classroom at the Harbor School in Dorchester. Jozeph, a 2009-2010 TAA fellow, will be traveling to Florence this summer to participate in an arts and creative writing workshop. He’s so excited about his trip he’s already started trying out his new Renaissance curriculum for next year!

Class was already in progress by the time I arrived. Students were separated into four groups…or I should say four guilds; printmaking, anatomy investigation, frescos painting and clay sculpting. Students work in their particular groups and focus on their given medium. These groups or guilds provide an experiential way of learning so that students understand how artists of the Renaissance worked. Each student is an apprentice and must sign an apprentice contract; agreeing to the work that is to be done. Each week students will rotate to a new table to work with a new medium.

I visited each group and checked out the work they were doing. At some tables, like the printmaking and fresco groups, students looked at images of the Renaissance to inspire their work. Students working with clay were creating an image of ‘what learning means to them’ and the anatomy students were sketching fossils and various things from nature such as shells and branches and generating questions about the objects they examined. Mr. Z (…as the students call him!) hopes to parallel this curriculum next year with the Harlem Renaissance.

After grades were recorded(At the end of each class every student receives a grade; Mr. Z looks at each of the student’s work and together they determine the grade.) …Green Light! Yellow Light! Red Light! This is Mr. Z’s signal for: Stop what you’re doing and listen up! On the board were several questions about the Renaissance and students had to shout out the answer cohesively as a group over and over until everyone was saying the correct answers together. And they couldn’t go to their next class until everyone had it. But they got it done and off they went! Hopefully remembering the answers for next time…

After class, I got a tour of the “art department”, which is what it should be called because it’s such a huge, beautiful space. The students usually start in one large classroom to reflect on the previous class and discuss the lesson ahead. They then move to the next room where the art-making happens. Mr. Z showed me several student projects including journals where students keep a log of their art work and written reflections. I also was able to see some examples of the eighth grader’s portfolio covers. Students who are ready to graduate must prepare a portfolio of their work from their entire Harbor School career and present it in front of a panel in order to graduate. Students must design a cover that represents them for this portfolio. The covers are then judged by panelists and several are selected as winners; the judging criteria are not only artistic talent but also merit and effort. The incoming class of eighth graders were working on theirs so I got to a few more examples and one from a student who will be an incoming freshman at BAA next fall!

Several key highlights included:
• Observing a full inclusion classroom; I’ve never been a part of or observed a classroom such as this and it was such a positive and interesting experience.
• Learning about Mr. Z’s content driven curriculum; he works with fellow teachers to create fusion between the academic classes and his art class. For example, students were learning about Hurricane Katrina in one academic class and Greece in another; both topics were used as the trajectory and the subject matter for the students’ art making.
• Learning how Mr. Z calls parents or sends letters of commendation home to praise students for good work. I think that this action is commendable itself-a teacher sending home praise rather than criticism.

The Harbor School’s structure is comprehensive and it seems to be a great learning environment. I had a wonderful visit! So I say, thank you to the Harbor School, Mr. Z and his students!

McKinley Middle and Prep HS Exhibition!

2009-05-19T11:55:00.001-04:00

On Wednesday, May 13^th, I had the pleasure of attending a reception for an exhibition of student artwork from McKinley Middle School and Prep High School at the Blue Cross/Blue Shield offices in Landmark Center and it was great! I was invited by Lisa Mosher, who teaches visual art at McKinley Middle and she is also a 2009-2010 TAA fellow! She'll be going to Serbia this summer to study Balkan Folk Music. Not only a visual artist, but also a musician!

This was quite exciting event of both student generated art work and music! Students chose a work of art that inspired them from an artist of the past and then created their own rendition. Each student had one painting displayed and guests were invited to bid on the work. The money sold from the paintings will actually go directly back to the student artists; quite an incentive!

In addition to their paintings, students from the high school advertised a cd of original music that was produced by them! Upset by a tragic fire that destroyed several businesses in their community, students created this cd to benefit the victims of the fire. With the help of one of the math teachers and his recording equipment, the class wrote and recorded all the music on the cd in one of McKinley’s classrooms. Pretty amazing work!

There was really some beautiful work to be seen and heard. Students were excited and proud to be present and I was happy to participate in this lovely reception to celebrate these extraordinary students! Congratulations, McKinley! And thank you!

Open Call to Artists Gallery 263

2009-05-13T15:40:00.008-04:00

Saw this posting on hireculture.org today-Mass Culture Council's website for arts organization opportunities

OPEN CALL TO ARTISTS

Gallery 263
263 Pearl Street
Cambridgeport, MA 02139
gallery263.com

Description:
Gallery263 is having a juried show which will run July 9- August 1. The theme of the show is Re-Paint a Painting. By this we mean, pick up an old painting at a thrift shop or yard sale and use it as your surface.

Qualifications:
Requirements: Maximum size 3' x 4'; no minimum size. All media welcome, i.e. oil, acrylic, spray paint, collage. Abstract or representational, whatever inspires you.

How To Apply:
$15 submission fee. Submit work via our website at http://gallery263.com/juried.php. Submission deadline of June 21st with notification by June 28th. All work must be for sale. Artists receive 70% of sales.

Apply by:
6/21/2009

About this Organization:
The gallery's mission is simple and comes from a desire to create a community of artists in Cambridge, MA. Established in the fall of 2008 by local artists Annie Newbold and David Craft, Gallery 263 is a place for celebrating the arts that brings all cultures and people together. It is recognized as a vital and energetic cultural gathering place and as an educational resource for the community. Many artists living in the area represent its constituency. Gallery 263 provides a vibrant atmosphere for artists of all mediums to show and sell their works and to interact with the community during openings, talks and workshops. In addition to the fixed gallery viewing hours, Gallery 263 achieves the larger goals of facilitating community interaction and education by offering film screenings and music events, artist workshops, youth programs, lectures and panel discussions as well as a creative space for area businesses and schools to rent for off-site functions. Through its outstanding programs and collaborations the gallery hopes to attract a broad and growing audience from the Boston area.

North American premiere of the Vilancicos Negros

2009-05-12T15:16:00.004-04:00

We hope you will be able to join us for this special evening.

As part of Trinity Church’s Music for All series, Boston Arts Academy presents the North American premiere of the Vilancicos Negros from the Portuguese Monastery of Santa Cruz de Coimbra under the direction of Portuguese conductor Jorge Matta.

Please join us on Thursday, May 28, 2009 at Trinity Church for a special pre-concert talk with guest conductor Jorge Matta, followed by a public performance.

6 – 7:00 p.m. Pre-Concert Talk in the Trinity Church Undercroft

7:30 p.m. Public performance in Trinity Church

Program
Folk music from Africa performed by Boston Arts Academy Lyric Choir.
Jeffrey Colby, conductor

Baroque and Classical selections performed by Boston Arts Academy Instrumental Chamber Ensembles.
Bryan Brash, director of string chamber ensemble
Chris Parris, director of wind chamber ensemble

Intermission

Vilancicos Negros from the Portuguese Monastery of Santa Cruz de Coimbra performed by Boston Arts Academy Select Choir and chamber musicians, with support from members of the Chorus and Orchestra of Emmanuel Music. Jorge Matta, guest conductor

About Vilancicos Negros
Breaking musicological and educational ground, BAA vocal and instrumental students will offer the North American Premiere of the Vilancicos Negros from the Portuguese Monastery of Santa Cruz de Coimbra under the direction of Portuguese conductor Jorge Matta.

Highlighting the fusion of Iberian and African cultures in Portugal during the 17th Century, Vilancicos Negros fuses Baroque musical style with African-influenced dialect in the Portuguese vernacular, bringing movement and drama into the sacred setting in a way that was unprecedented on the continent.

Tickets
$5 and $15 tickets may be purchased online at
http://www.trinityinspires.org/building/music/index.html

For More Information
Please contact Susan Werbe at swerbe@bostonartsacademy.org

www.bostonartsacademy.org
www.trinityinspires.org
www.emmanuelmusic.org

My visit to Horace Mann...

2009-04-28T12:17:00.005-04:00

Before April vacation I stopped into the Horace Mann School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing for a visit with Karyn Brotman, visual arts teacher and 2009-2010 TAA Fellow. Ms. Brotman provides arts education for students ranging from preschool all the way to high school.

The Horace Mann is a special school community for deaf education. Students vary in ability level; therefore some may attend speech and therapy classes in addition to academic classes. Because of the unique environment, most students remain at the school until high school graduation. Ms. Brotman says she enjoys watching the students grow; ‘it creates a comfortable atmosphere where the teachers really get to know their students well and vice versa.’ Some students move on to other schools but Ms. Brotman said, ‘The transition into other schools is difficult, but some students have been successful.’

I was interested in learning more about the school’s community and a particularly interesting issue came up- MCAS. Students are expected to pass MCAS as any other student; which I find baffling. At Boston Arts Academy there is a sizable deaf community; therefore I understand that ASL is actually a very different language from written and spoken English. I can only imagine that taking a standardized test such as MCAS must be extremely challenging (and unjust) for deaf and hard of hearing students. Talking with Ms. Brotman about this made me realize how truly unique her students are and I was eager to meet them.

After being guided through the maze of hallways and staircases (If you’ve ever been to Horace Mann…you know what I’m talking about!), we arrived at Ms. Brotman’s art room. The classroom looked as an art room should- decorated floor to ceiling with artwork and materials for projects everywhere. Soon grade three arrived; four students minus one, who had to go to speech class. Ms. Brotman introduced me to the students as a special guest by both signing and speaking. Then she gave the assignment, choose any materials from the table and use white glue to create. And off the students went.

On the table were a variety of materials, such as string, sticks, cylinders, and cardboard pieces. The students decided what they needed and soon the creation was underway. Ms. Brotman believes that it’s important for students to just use their imagination and create. One project that her students enjoy very much is using large boxes. Each student is given a box and they decide what their box will be; a house, a spaceship, a boat, a time capsule.It was very interesting to observe each student’s process which was different from the next!

At the end of class students were picked up by another teacher and filed out. I, too, had to have Ms. Brotman escort me out; otherwise I might still be at the Horace Mann trying to find the exit! It was great experience to visit this school and learn about their unique learning community. It was a wonderful visit and I thank Ms. Brotman, her students and the Horace Mann for letting come to their school. Thank you!

Opportunity for Visual Artists $$$

2009-04-27T10:25:00.006-04:00

Artadia Awards application cycle opened! Opportunity for visual artists to receive funding; two awards of $15,000 and five of $3,000. For more information, click on the images above or visit:
http://www.artadia.org/forartists/

My visit to Middle School Academy ...

2009-04-09T16:12:00.005-04:00

Tuesday I had the pleasure of visiting Ms. Connie Bigony’s classroom at Middle School Academy. Ms. Bigony is a sixteen year veteran of the Boston Public Schools (And also a 2009-2010 TAA Fellow!). But, this is her first year at Middle School Academy, where she teaches visual arts to students grades six through eight. Middle School Academy is an alternative school located in Dorchester near Franklin Park. The school strives to ‘incorporate academics and behavioral/social components to meet the needs of all students.’ It’s a small school with a population of eighty students.

Upon arrival to the school I was greeted by a sign that read, “Welcome to Nicole Prefontaine Boston Arts Academy”, which immediately made me feel like an honored guest. The sign also instructed that I report to the office on the second floor. The secretary kindly directed me to the room…right next door. And there was Ms. Bigony with about six, eighth grade students; engaged in plaster mask making. A very messy situation! The room was adorned with various kinds vibrant artwork done by students; this was an exciting place to be.

While the students worked away, Ms. Bigony and I chatted about the school and the different challenges the students face. She enjoys being in her new school environment, where the class sizes are small; allowing her to make a more direct connection with students. Ms. Bigony says that the staff and other faculty are a wonderful group, who go above and beyond to help the school succeed. I can attest to this having met Ms. Yvonne Vest, principal of the school, who attended the TAA Fellows announcement to support Ms. Bigony and made an appearance during class just to say hello.

I snapped a few pictures of the students at work and several of them showed me their portfolios. One of the students even showed me another’s first! The portfolios were filled with beautiful artwork such as self portraits, paintings of Obama, prints, graffiti tags, and collages. One of the students, however, was unable to show me his work because it’s currently hanging in City Hall (for the BPS Visual Arts Festival). Wow! Ms.Bigony says students enjoy creating artwork in tribute to their favorite musicians and recently made cd covers for them.

Soon enough it was time for students to go to lunch…at 10:15 am. I suppose if I was in class starting at 7:30, I’d be hungry, too. I welcomed the students to visit me at Boston Arts Academy and come see the senior visual arts exhibition and I hope they do! Ms. Bigony and I talked a little bit afterward about class and she expressed the desire to expose them to more artistic and cultural opportunities. She has taken them to see the arts in the outside world by going to places like the ICA. She is very excited to be able to travel to Mexico through her TAA fellowship and share that experience with her students when she returns to her classroom in the fall.

We had a few visitors pop in, one sixth grader who is not only an aspiring visual artist but also a saxophone player. He is interested in possibly going to BAA… But, before we knew it, it was time for the next class and time for me to get back to the office. Overall, it was a wonderful experience to visit Ms. Bigony and her students at Middle School Academy. I look forward to visiting in the future, hopefully for an exhibition of their work. To Ms. Bigony, her students, Ms. Vest and Middle School Academy, I had a great time. Thank you very much for having me!!!

-Nicole

Community Arts and Wellness Fair for BPS Students!!!

2009-04-07T12:19:00.002-04:00

Kiara Thomas, senior theatre major at Boston Arts Academy, has organized a Community Arts and Wellness Fair for her senior grant project. The Fair will take place at Origination Cultural Arts Center in Roxbury THIS SATURDAY 4:30-7:00pm. There will different arts organizations that offer summer and year long opportunities for students, demonostrations and more! Teachers bring your students. Students bring your friends. If you're interested in the arts, Come check it out!

For more information, contact Miss Kiara Thomas k.i.t@comcast.net

Fellows Announcement

2009-04-02T15:36:00.007-04:00

Just a thank you to all who joined in celebrating the 2009-2010 Teachers as Artists Fellows. It was a wonderful event to recognize the important work of arts teachers. I had a great time sharing in the excitement of the awarded fellows. Check out the slide show on the right-click on a picture to enlarge it. The lighting was terrible in the room so I did my best to doctor the pictures up. Hope they give you an idea of the positive energy in the room. Such a great event to mark the beginning of a program that I hope will create future artistic opportunities and collaborations. I hope that those who weren't able to join us this time, will join for the next BIG event! Mark your calender for the TAA Arts Symposium happening in September...details to follow soon. For now, Congratulations to all the fellows!!! Also, I want to extend a warm thank you to all who applied. I appreciate your investment and commitment to the arts and to this program. And remember to all eligible applicants, the 2010-2011 application will be available soon (which more or less looks the same as last year's and is still available on bostonartsacademy.org or by clicking on the TAA webpage link on the right of this page). So next up, school visits! I'll be visiting each of the fellows' classrooms and you can read all about it here on the TAA blog.
Again, thanks to all who made yesterday's announcement a huge success!
-Nicole

TAA Fellows Announcement TODAY!!!

2009-04-01T14:04:00.003-04:00

Please join us this afternoon in celebrating the 2009-2010 Teachers as Artists fellows! A press conference and reception will be held at the Boston Foundation, 75 Arlington St. Boston, MA 4-6p.m. Linda Nathan, Paul Grogan and Dr. Carol Johnson will be giving remarks. A program of events is provided above, as well as the names of the awarded fellows and their fellowship descriptions.
All are welcome!
Hope to see you there!
Congratulations to the 2009-2010 Teachers as Artists Fellows!!!

STAGE ONE: Theatrical Training for Teens, 14-18

2009-03-27T11:57:00.009-04:00

Great Opportunity for BPS TEENS (ages 14-18) interested in Theatre!!! Check out Company One's summer theatrical training program taught by area professionals.
SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE!!!

Stage One 2009 will be offered in four 2-week sessions, with morning and afternoon options: July 20th through August 14th, at the Boston Center for the Arts, 539 Tremont St in Boston’s South End.

STAGE ONE: Theatrical Training for Teens is Company One's summer program consisting of four 2-week sessions that give students an expanded view of various techniques and offers each young artist a one-of-a-kind theatrical experience.

The program is designed to foster each young actor's personal growth and theatrical development. Company One seeks to involve any student who is interested in enriching his or her creativity and artistic education through a rewarding and exciting learning experience.

Session A: INTRO TO IMPROVISATION

July 20th – July 31st (9am – 12pm)

Session B: CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT
July 20th – July 31st (1pm – 4pm)

Session C: ADVANCED IMPROVISATION
August 3rd – August 14th (9am – 12pm)

Session D: SCENE CREATION
August 3rd – August 14th (1pm – 4pm)

Click on this link for more information: StageOne

StageOne@companyone.org
COMPANY ONE
539 Tremont St.
Boston MA, 02116
617.292.7110

LA PIÑATA's 20th Anniversary Celebration!!!

2009-03-25T13:47:00.007-04:00

Rosalba Solis, performing arts teacher at the Rafael Hernandez School and Founder/Artistic Director of LA PIÑATA, invites you to La Loteria /bilingual Musical, a special 20th Anniversary Celebration.

LA PIÑATA: Latin American Cultural Family Network

Dear Friends,

La Piñata extends a warm invitation to your organization to our 20th Anniversary Celebration: La Loteria /bilingual Musical to be performed @ Kresgee Auditorium - MIT on Sunday, April 19, 2009 - 2 pm.

a play by Blanca Bonilla (BAA) and directed by Rosalba Solis (Hernandez School).

Our Performing Troupe is going to take you, your family & friends on a Latin America Journey through the magical rhythms of music & dance.

We are already receiving inquiries from all over Boston about our show, because this is open to the public, we expect attendance to be the highest ever, we expect to be sold out! So we suggest to order your tickets in advance @ 617-522-6430. Please accept the enclosed offer for groups of 15 or more for only $6 per person.

In closing, we would be pleased and honored with your presence & support. We look forward to seeing you on Sunday, April 19, 2009 - 2 pm. @ Kresgee Auditorium - MIT.

Yours sincerely,

La Piñata.

This bilingual musical is perfect for all of those that are studying Spanish language and/or Latin American culture . . . .
Love the joy of the performing arts . . . .
And want to support our youth . . . .

lapinata@hotmail.com 6 1 7 - 5 2 2 - 6 4 3 0 www.lapinataboston.org

BPS Arts Expansion Fund Grant Information Session

2009-03-12T10:19:00.006-04:00

To: All BPS Schools, Nonprofit Arts Organizations, and Teaching Artists

SAVE THE DATE!

BPS Arts Expansion Fund

Grant Guidelines Information Session for the 2009-2010 School Year Grants

Please join us at the upcoming information session to:

Get answers to any questions regarding the 2009-2010 grants. Guidelines will be released the week of March 16^th.
Meet schools, arts organizations, and teaching artists looking to create partnerships.
Learn from other schools working to expand arts offerings for their students.

All potential applicants are strongly encouraged to attend.

Monday, March 30^th 4-6pm

140 Clarendon Street

2^nd Floor Kuumba Library

4:00 – 4:45 Explanation of Guidelines, Q&A

4:45 – 5:30 Panel: Creating a Successful School-Arts Partnership

5:30 – 6:00 Networking

Please RSVP to curtis@edvestors.org by Monday, March 23^rd and include a completed information

sheet if you wish to be included in a catalogue of schools, nonprofit arts organizations and

teaching artists. The catalogue will be distributed at the Information Session to aid attendees in networking and identifying potential partners.

All attendees must RSVP and will be added to our database to receive information on future grant opportunities.

Click on the images below to download information sheets-arts organizations (top), schools/arts teachers (bottom)

Individual Artists: How and where to find the $$

2009-03-12T10:09:00.003-04:00

Fractured Atlas: How and where to find the $$

Thurs. March 19, 2009 at 6:30 pm
Trustees Room, Tower Building, 11th Floor MassArt

This presentation is designed for emerging individual artists to address the crucial issue of raising money to support their creative endeavors.

RSVP to rsvpcareers@massart.edu with Fractured Atlas as the
subject of your email. Include your full name (and the full name of
any guests) with your phone number in your email.

For more information, click on the image above or visit:
www.fracturedatlas.org

Talk at BAA by Dr.Gaztambide-Fernández

2009-03-04T11:19:00.002-05:00

Talk at BAA by Dr.Gaztambide-Fernández, Monday, March 9th 8am-9:30am
Please join us on Monday, March 9th from 8:00am-9:30am in BAA's Assembly Hall, Dr. Rubén Gaztambide-Fernández, an educator making important strides in the field of arts in education, will be giving a talk to BAA Faculty and Staff entitled:

Artists, Schools and Democracy--Some Reflections on the Public Purpose of Arts High Schools

Dr. Gaztambide-Fernández is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Curriculum, Teaching and Learning at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education of the University of Toronto. He teaches courses in curriculum theory, the arts in education, and popular culture. His articles have been published in education journals like the Harvard Educational Review, The Review of Education, Pedagogy, and Cultural Studies, and the Journal of Curriculum and Pedagogy. Dr. Gaztambide-Fernández teaches a graduate seminar which surveys the field of the arts in education, with a focus on developing frameworks for studying a range of issues in various educational contexts. For Initial Teacher Education candidates Dr. Gaztambide-Fernández teaches a course on the arts in urban schools and a course on youth popular culture with a focus on media literacy.

Dr. Gaztambide-Fernández's previous research considered how students at an elite boarding school in the country identified as "elite" students, and the role of race, class, and gender in such processes of identification. The work for this research will be published by Harvard University Press. Currently, he is in the initial stages of two arts- related research projects, one of which focuses on the experiences of young artists attending urban arts high schools in Toronto.

In 2001, he published a chapter entitled "Boston Arts Academy: Collaborative spirit, huge challenge, respect for who everybody is and who everybody wants to be" in the book Passion and Industry: Schools That Focus on the Arts, edited by BAA Council of Advocates member Jessica Hoffmann Davis, who will introduce him on Monday. We are thrilled to have him back at BAA for the first time in seven years!

Please RSVP to Liz Hayes at: lhayes@bostonartsacademy.org by Friday, March 6th.

New Gallery Exhibition @ BAA

2009-03-03T11:13:00.007-05:00

SpectrumBoston

2009-03-03T10:22:00.004-05:00

Offering opportunities for students & adults!

SpectrumBoston An exciting new initiative reflecting and engaging diverse audiences development SpectrumBoston constitutes a series of events

Click on the link below to learn more about SpectrumBoston's various arts opportunities:
SpectrumBoston

Umass African Drum and Dance Field Study

2009-03-03T09:48:00.003-05:00

This World Music and Umass Ahmest present a 3-week cultural immersion course in the coastal village of Kopeyia, Ghana, offering 135 pdp points. Students will be introduced to a wide range of topics related to African culture, philosophy, and daily life. Led by UMass adjunct faculty member and ThisWorldMusic Founder Jeremy Cohen, the group will live for 2 weeks in the Dagbe Center's clean, comfortable, dormitory-style accommodations, receiving hands-on training from indigenous artists in drumming, dancing, singing and visual arts. Dagbe's rigorous instruction and authentic natural surroundings make for an experience unlike any other.

Click on the image above or here for more information: Umass African Drum and Dance Field Study

To register, please call Jeremy Cohen, Founder/Director, This World Music @ 617.833.5207

Writing Workshop for Visual Artists

2009-03-03T09:44:00.004-05:00

Writing Workshop for Visual Artists happening Tuesday, March 10th Time: 5:30pm - 7:30pm Cost: $25.00 Location: Goodwin Procter, Exchange Place 53 State Street, Boston
Sponsored by The Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston (A&BC/Boston). Click on the image above for more details.

Or click here for A&BC's posting: Writing Workshop for Visual Artists

Mayor's Office of Arts E-NEWS!

2009-02-26T10:43:00.010-05:00

Here's the latest edition of AHTS e-news
from the Mayor's Office of Arts.
Read below to check out some great arts opportunities,
like SpectrumBoston offering some great THEATRE workshops for students and ADULTS!!!

Mayor's Office of Arts, Tourism & Special Events - February 2009

Julie A. Burns, Director

Call to Artists Attention artists! Calls to Artists for (ahts): The Boston Arts Festival, New Media exhibit at City Hall, PaintBox and Public Ahtists are available on-line for download.

Closing Dates:

· New Media, February 28th

· PaintBox, March 8th

· Public Ahtists, March 30th

· (ahts): The Boston Arts Festival, May 1st

For further information/ questions, contact John Crowley .

___________________________________________________________________

Ain’t Misbehavin’ at the Strand Theatre April 10 to 12 comes the hit show Ain’t Misbehavin’ starring 2003 American Idol Winner Ruben Studdard and Frenchie Davis, 2003 American Idol contestant and star of RENT on Broadway to the Strand Theatre.

The outrageously prodigious comic and musical soul of 1930’s Harlem is showcased in this rollicking, swinging, finger-snapping revue that is still considered one of Broadway’s most well-crafted shows of all time – sometimes sassy, sometimes sultry, with moments of heartwarming beauty. Ain’t Misbehavin’ is simply unforgettable!

There will be four shows from April 10 to 12. For more information and tickets visit, the website.

___________________________________________________________________

”Magic Flute” at the Strand Boston Lyric Opera introduce Magical instruments... A wicked queen…An imprisoned princess... A courageous prince… Will Prince Tamino’s magic flute be enough to protect him on his quest to save the lovely Princess Pamina?

Performed in English, fully staged in one hour, with sets, costumes, and BLO’s orchestra
Fairy tale elements celebrate courage, virtue, and wisdom
Appropriate for kids ages 6-12 and their parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles!

Taking place at the Strand Theatre on Sundays from March 1 to March 22, tickets are now available for purchase by visiting the Boston Lyric Opera website.

___________________________________________________________________

SpectrumBoston An exciting new initiative reflecting and engaging diverse audiences development SpectrumBoston constitutes a series of events such as the aforementioned Ain’t Misbehavin’ at the Strand.

A recent event was the successful MLK Celebration Concert, which took place on MLK Day in Faneuil Hall and featured a wonderful performance by The Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra.

Upcoming highlights include theater workshops at branch libraries and various internships. For more SpectrumBoston events, visit the website.

Amercia's Got Talent! Casting Call

2009-02-26T10:27:00.002-05:00

America’s Got Talent is currently planning a massive nationwide audition tour. The auditions will be traveling across America to over nine major cities including Boston March 7 - 8, 2009. The auditions will be held at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, 415 Summer Street, Boston. Click on the image above to read more!

For the latest info on the show, to pre-register for an audition and submit home videos please visit http://americasgottalentauditions.com/new/ or http://www.nbc.com/Americas_Got_Talent/

"Your Comminty, Your World" Contest

2009-02-26T10:05:00.012-05:00

Hostelling International New England is sponsoring the "Your Community, Your World" contest for high school students. If your student wins, teachers you could win, too! Click on the image above read more!

Or Click here: Your Community, Your World

Boston Foundation Survey on BPS Arts Education

2009-02-13T15:14:00.003-05:00

The Boston Foundation just released its report on arts education in the BPS.
Click on the link below to check out more information and download the survey:
THE ARTS ADVANTAGE

Also, there will be $1.5 million Arts Expansion Fund to implement the recommendations of the report. Very exciting news for the BPS! AND BPS ARTS EDUCATORS!!!

Some ARTS Opportunities from City of Boston

2009-02-10T10:53:00.012-05:00

Click on the links below to check out some opportunities for Boston Artists!
New Media
The Boston Arts Festival 2009
PaintBox

Click on this link to read the Fall/Winter Mayor's Office of Arts, Tourism & Special Events magazine to find out about arts events happening around the city!
Ahts

100K ArtScience Innovation Prize

2009-02-10T10:27:00.002-05:00

Mayor Menino and The Cloud Foundation announced last month 100K ArtScience Innovation Prize. Click below to read more...
ArtScience Innovation Prize

Theatre Fest @ BAA this week!

2009-02-10T09:56:00.000-05:00

TRAVEL Opportunity for Teachers

2009-02-09T09:47:00.005-05:00

This is an exciting travel opportunity for middle school and high school teachers with five or more years of teaching experience!

A two-week professional exchange program in Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Colombia, El Salvador, Georgia, Ghana, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Nicaragua, Senegal, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Ukraine.
Click on the image above to find out more information.

We NEED the ARTS!!!

2009-02-05T11:34:00.007-05:00

Check out these articles in today's Globe

"Stimulus funding for the arts hits a nerve" by Michael Kranish

"Why should we care about the arts?" by Ed Siegel

Let me know what you think...

Free Art & Performance Wkshps. for Teens

2009-02-03T15:10:00.004-05:00

The Cloud Foundation seeks teens (ages 14 -19) attending Boston-area public high schools who want to explore performance, visual art, film, and media
and who are ready to try something new!

CLASSES START NEXT WEEK...
there is still time to apply!

Free art and performance workshops for teens are led by
local, professional artists in the Cloud Place studio, media, and performance spaces at 647 Bolyston St. Boston

Application deadline extended until February 6th @ 5p.m.

For more information, please click here: The Cloud Foundation

To apply: download an application form and email to info@cloudfoundation.org or fax it to 617-262-2848

Classes:

Game Design: Making, Breaking & Bending the Rules
Mondays, 3:30 - 6:00 | February 9 - May 18, 2009
Students will create a series of original, handmade games culminating in the design of a final board, video, or hypertext game using studio and digital art techniques. The class will explore the creative processes behind designing games that make you think!

Contemporary Dance
Tuesdays & Thursdays, 4:00 - 6:00 | February 10 - May 28, 2009
Contemporary Dance includes lessons in technique from various disciplines including ballet, jazz, and hip-hop, and opportunities to create original choreography for public performance.

Digital Photography for Dramatic Visual Storytelling
Thursdays, 3:30 - 6:00 | February 12 - May 28, 2009
Students will examine comic books, movies, and art photography to translate the visual language of comics and film into fine art through work with dramatic lighting, actors, costumes, and more.

Mixed Media Printmaking
Fridays, 3:30 - 6:00 | February 27 - May 22, 2009
While learning to operate a hand-cranked printing press, students will have an opportunity to experiment with a variety of printmaking techniques, offering a range of visual tools for the creation of a personal portfolio.

Art as Process
Saturdays, 10:30 - 3:30 | February 14 - May 23, 2009
A transformative visual art workshop for young people who want the challenge of investigating new and unique ways of making art and expressing their own ideas visually. This workshop explores painting, drawing, sculpture, and other media with an eye toward combining materials in unusual ways.

Read more...

Closing Reception for Kindred by Ekua Holmes

2009-02-02T16:19:00.001-05:00

If you haven't had the opportunity to experience Kindred by Ekua Holmes, please join us tomorrow at Boston Arts Academy in the Sandra and Philip Gordon Gallery. The Closing Reception will be an interactive performance and exhibition, including words from the artist, spoken word poetry, music performance and some special guests!
Hope you can make it!

Closing Reception for:
February 3rd, 2009 5-7pm
Kindred by Ekua Holmes
The Sandra and Gordon Gallery @ Boston Arts Academy

Check out the info above or visit our website for directions: BostonArtsAcademy

Theatre Fest @ BAA

2009-01-29T13:52:00.002-05:00

Stand Up and Be Counted! MA Artist Survey

2009-01-29T13:42:00.001-05:00

Massachusetts Artists—
Four Days Left to be Counted

Dear Friends,

If you are a Massachusetts artist, please fill out the Survey for Massachusetts Artists of all Disciplines. You must complete this survey by Saturday, January 31 to be included. Click on the following link:

http://www.artistsfoundation.org/survey.html

Your answers on this brief survey conducted by the Artists Foundation will help MAASH, AF, the MCC and others advocate for better policy on your behalf.

Already 2000 artists have completed the survey. If you are an artist of any discipline—music, visual art, video, literature, craft, etc—please take a moment to complete the survey. Your answers strengthen our advocacy.

Please spread the word to other artists of all disciplines in Massachusetts to stand up and be counted. There is strength in numbers.

The survey ends on January 31, 2009.

Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,
Dan Hunter Hathalee Higgs
Executive Director Development Director

Mass. Advocates for the Arts, Sciences & Humanities (MAASH)

Petition for the Secretary of the Arts

2009-01-13T10:38:00.003-05:00

I'm sure some of you have heard about this. Someone passed along this info to me in an email. Please take a minute to follow the link below and sign this petition. I did! Don't forget to tell your friends!

Quincy Jones has started a petition to ask President-Elect Obama to
appoint a Secretary of the Arts. While many other countries have
had Ministers of Art or Culture for centuries, The United States
has never created such a position. We in the arts need this and
the country needs the arts--now more than ever.

Please take a moment to sign this petition and then pass it on to
your friends and colleagues.

CLICK HERE:Sign the Secretary of Arts Petition

Thank you!

Winterfest at BAA!!! This week...

2008-12-15T10:19:00.005-05:00

Arts Article

2008-12-11T13:15:00.001-05:00

This was an interesting article in today's Globe.

Amid fiscal gloom, Harvard spotlights arts

Applications are in!

2008-12-02T12:22:00.001-05:00

The TAA applications are in.
We have 17 applicants from 4 different disciplines; visual arts, music, performing arts (dance/theatre) and technology/digital arts.
From these 17 applicants there are 16 different schools represented.
Good luck to those who have submitted an application!
To those who did not submit this year, I hope you will consider submitting next year.
Stay tuned for the results!

Free! Visual Arts Opportunity for High School Students

2008-12-01T15:11:00.002-05:00

Study Abroad Opportunity!!!

2008-12-01T15:10:00.001-05:00

City of Boston Arts Events

2008-12-01T14:54:00.001-05:00

or click here: City of Boston Arts

NEW DROP BOX SPOT

2008-11-24T09:56:00.002-05:00

TODAY IS THE TAA APPLICATION DEADLINE!!!

Please postmark all applications by today, November 24th, 2008 or drop them off at Boston Arts Academy.

Please note the drop box spot has changed and is now located directly in the front lobby-in front of the assembly hall. If you'd like please call 617-635-6470 x331 and I will meet you downstairs and accept your application.

THANK YOU! GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!

Application Drop off box

2008-11-20T10:30:00.003-05:00

For those who are going to drop off/hand deliver their TAA completed applications, there will be a box at the front desk (@BAA). Please check in with the security officer on duty and they will put your application in the box.

Boston Arts Academy
174 Ipswich St.
Boston, Ma 02215

Closest to the Fenway, Kenmore and Hynes Green line stops and the Ruggles Orangle stop. Closest buses #55 and #39.

Completed Applications should include:
1. Application Cover Letter
2. Proposal Part I
3. Proposal Part II
4. Attachments:

Resume
Artistic and Teaching Evidence
Info from Fellowship Venue and/or Fellowship Mentor Artist
Copy of Application to Fellowship Venue or Letter of Request to Mentor Artist
Letter of Confirmation from Principal (This is not a reccommendation just a confirmation that the Principal will attend the Post Fellowship Arts Symposium-Fall 2009 @ Boston Arts Academy).

Ekua Holmes showing @ BAA

2008-11-20T10:06:00.011-05:00

Don't miss the opportunity to see this show!

Ekua Holmes
Kindred

The Sandra and Philip Gordon Gallery
Boston Arts Academy
174 Ipswich St.
Boston, Ma 02215

December 2nd, 2008 through February 5th, 2009

Gallery hours Monday - Friday 9a.m. - 4p.m.

Please join us for the Opening Reception

December 3rd, 2008 5 - 7 p.m.

¡Merengue! Visual Rhythms/Ritmos Visuales

2008-11-20T10:01:00.002-05:00

Merengue! Visual Rhythms/Ritmos Visuales at the Museum of the National Center for Afro American Artists

Thru November 23, 2008
Come view a major traveling exhibition featuring more than forty works by 28 historical and contemporary artists from the Dominican Republic for its only New England stop. The paintings visualize merengue music, a seminal cultural force in the Dominican Republic.
Hours: Tues-Sun, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Address: 300 Walnut Avenue, Roxbury, MA
Costs: Free for schools; $4 gen adm; $3 seniors/students
Contact: Maria Moreno, 617-442-8614

TAA Deadline Fast Approaching!

2008-11-18T14:40:00.001-05:00

Here's a quick reminder TAA completed applications are due Monday, November 24th. Good luck!

Institute for Teaching Artists-Visual Arts

2008-11-18T14:33:00.003-05:00

Lesley University is holding an institute over three different days (12/1, 1/16 and 4/17) for teaching artists in the visual arts. Please click on the images to the right to find out more info or visit their webpage at: www.lesley.edu/info/artists

ThisWorldMusic Dance and Music Workshops

2008-11-13T13:19:00.003-05:00

2008-11-13T13:19:00.001-05:00

ThisWorldMusic Arts Opportunity

2008-11-13T13:18:00.001-05:00

Extra Resources for Artists

2008-11-13T12:37:00.001-05:00

These are some resources for artists interested in finding other grants, opportunities and arts events!

Some TIPS from Surdna Arts Teachers Fellows...

2008-11-13T12:34:00.001-05:00

Writing a Successful Proposal

2008-11-13T12:14:00.009-05:00

Need some help writing your Fellowship proposal? Interested in finding out what the panel of judges will be looking for?
Click on the links below for helpful hints for writing a successful Fellowship proposal

RSVP TODAY!!!

2008-11-07T09:34:00.002-05:00

Potential applicants interested in attending the Grant writing workshop, please RSVP today no later than 5p.m. This is a chance for you to receive personal assistance in writing your Fellowship proposal.
Time slots are filling up fast! If you're interested, please contact me:
Nicole Prefontaine
(617)635-6470 x331
nprefontaine@bostonartsacademy.org
I'll get in touch with you with a time slot and more info.
THANKS!

2008-11-06T11:02:00.004-05:00

I came across this great website today!

http://www.communityarts.net/

It's has wonderful articles and information on various community arts happenings nationally and internationally. You can find information and links for community arts organizations, places to study and opportunities. It has lots of interesting stuff for the artist, educator, activists/advocates out there!

RSVP for the Grant Writing Wkshp.

2008-11-03T13:59:00.002-05:00

Hey all you potential applicants out there! The Grant Writing Workshop is coming up. Please RSVP by this Friday, November 7th.
Hope to see you there!

BAA Theatre Expo THIS WEEK!

2008-11-03T13:56:00.002-05:00

BAA VA Blogs-check check check it out.

2008-10-29T14:40:00.004-04:00

See what the Visual Art Dept. at BAA is up to, see some student work and get links for student blogs.

The Fellowship Experience in Ghana!

2008-10-29T14:18:00.008-04:00

Ms. Kathleen Marsh, Visual Arts Dept. Chair and teacher, at Boston Arts Academy was recently named a Surdna Arts Teachers Fellow, 2008. For her Fellowship, she traveled to Ghana with her family to study various forms of art making. You can read all about her experience on her blog:
http://surdnaghana.blogspot.com/

This might give you an idea of what the TAA experience is and you may even get some ideas for your own Fellowship project. Check it out!

A little background info-Surdna Arts Teachers Fellowship Program is a national Fellowship program for arts teachers working in arts focused schools. Whereas, TAA is a local expansion program of the Surdna Foundation for arts educators working in the BPS in non-arts focused schools.

Fellowship Ideas...

2008-10-28T16:01:00.002-04:00

If you're looking for some ideas for your Fellowship, here's a few websites to check out:

http://washingtonart.com/beltway/resid1.html

http://www.artistcommunities.org/

http://resartis.org/

2008-10-27T16:42:00.000-04:00

WELCOME!!!

2008-10-27T15:05:00.010-04:00

This is the first post for the Teachers as Artists blog. For those of you who don't know about Teachers as Artists, here's a little info:

Teachers as Artists is a competitive local fellowship program that awards up to eight $5,000 fellowships to arts educators working in the Boston Public Schools. Through this program, outstanding arts educators explore their individual artistic goals and dreams, while connecting with new practices and resources in their disciplines; in an effort to enhance the arts in the Boston Public Schools.

For detailed information, application materials and resources for our program, please visit our webpage: Teachers as Artists

If you have any questions regarding Teachers as Artists, please contact the TAA Program Coordinator, Nicole Prefontaine at (617)635-6470 x331 or nprefontaine@bostonartsacademy.org

Teachers as Artists aspires to create a community of like-minded artists, scholars and educators who work together as collaborators and colleagues. SO please let us know about your upcoming artistic events and opportunities!!!