Artists-in-Residence Site: WELS-South Program, Dist. 191

70 West County Road B2, Little Canada (Con. Dist. 4)

Collaborating Teacher: Erin Phelps-Stark

Teaching Artists: Bonnie Kaye; Laura Henrickson, assistant, In the Company of Kids

Art Form: Movement & Music

Project Overview

Micah and staff practice their routine.

Students participated in various music and movement activities designed to increase engagement and strengthen social skills through group interaction.

Project Highlights

“Thank you VSA Minnesota for giving Micah and his classmates this opportunity. It’s so unfortunate that they do not have arts programming. They need more arts!” -- Parent.

“This week has been so fun for all involved and the performance was a huge hit! The smile on the faces of the students said it all. They were happy and eager to take part in their dance class.” -- Bonnie Kaye, Artist.

“The students were required to observe and follow the direction of the instructor. They were also encouraged to try new steps that they had never done before. Many students struggle with waiting for their turn and 25 of the 28 achieved that goal on performance day.” – Erin Phelps-Stark, Teacher.

This program has been made possible in part by the Department of VSA and Accessibility at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Minnesota State Arts Board, the Minnesota Department of Education and support funds from residency sites.

Artists-in-Residence Site: Orono Intermediate School

685 N Old Crystal Bay Rd, Long Lake (Con. Dist. 3)

A student weaving using an adaptable SAORI loom.

Collaborating Teacher: Jo-Anne Kirkman

Teaching Artist: Chiaki O’Brien

Art Form: Visual Arts

Project Overview

During the five day residency, students learned how fabrics are made by hand using looms and accessories as well as the philosophy of Japanese SAORI weaving while working with Chiaki. Each student created their own weaving, making personal choices on color, texture, fiber and materials while using an adaptable SAORI loom. Students also worked collaboratively with peers, staff and the artist to create a woven banner. In addition, students had the opportunity to create a personal book. VSA Minnesota AIE Coordinator, Jenea Rewertz-Targui, spent one session guiding students to create a Japanese stab bound book that will include their weaving on the cover. The banner and books will be presented to the community during the school festival on May 4, 2012 and then permanently displayed at the school. Samples of student work can be found on: http://www.artsonia.com/schools/school.asp?id=73961

Project Highlights

Jo-Anne observed a change in students with ADHD and other Learning Disabilities who were more focused during the activities. She said students built communication and cooperation skills while partnering with their peers. During “show and tell” students were able to reflect and communicate positively on their own work.

Artists-in-Residence Site: Bridges Transition Program

13735 Round Lake Blvd. Suite 110, Andover (Con. Dist. 6)

Collaborating Teacher: Lisa Vogel

Teaching Artist: Christopher Lutter-Gardella

Art form: Theater

Project Overview

During the week students developed an understanding of puppetry and storytelling by designing and building their own puppet with Chris Lutter-Gardella, Artistic Director of Puppet Farm Arts. In addition, they learned that puppeteers use puppets to tell stories by creating their own story and dialogue with their puppets. Students fostered their collaborative and imaginative skills by participating in creative play with their puppets including: improvisation, storytelling, and physical and vocal characterizations. The final performance was on April 20 in the multi-purpose room at Bridges Program.

Project Highlights

“Thank you - it was a great experience! Many students asked if Chris would be back next year and they were excited with what they had accomplished in the making of the puppets.” – Lisa Vogel, Teacher.

“Students retained full retention throughout--maintained the participation of even the most difficult students. The residency engaged aspects of their personalities not otherwise accessible in the day-to-day.” – Chris Lutter-Gardella, Artist.

“I recognized my son’s puppet immediately (inspired by his dog). He has had the dog since he was young and always talks about him.” – Father of participating student at final performance.

Artists-in-Residence Site: Lake Marion Elementary Early Childhood Special Education

19875 Dodd Boulevard, Lakeville (Con. Dist. 2)

Collaborating Teacher: Julee Gackle

Teaching Artists: WonderWeavers- Tina Rohde and Colleen Shaskin

Art Form: Storytelling

Project Overview

Students explored the basic elements of storytelling. They worked collaboratively with peers, staff and the artists through creative storytelling, performance and visual art activities, including but not limited to making a storybook, creating their own puppet, and learning basic dramatic movement. Music was also included throughout the residency with the use of songs and instruments. Students had the opportunity to perform for their peers at the end of the residency.

Project Highlights

“All the students were able to put on a puppet many overcoming tactile issues. Each student showed progress with communication attempts by the end of the residency. Many students had personal successes that staff did not expect. The involvement of the teachers and support staff was amazing and greatly enhanced the effectiveness of the residency. As teaching artists we learned from the teachers and support staff, as they modeled appropriate teaching skills that worked with this population of children.” -- Tina Rohde, Artist.

“One student in particular blossomed with the storytelling experience. He is usually very introverted and quiet during large group or circle time and will actually turn his back from the group. It was very exciting to see him want to participate in the storytelling activities. He was especially motivated by the puppets they made and was observed using them to talk to his peers and became very animated. We have seen this carry over into other classroom environments and into the typical preschool setting.” – Julee Gackle, Teacher.

Students use puppets to tell their story with the WonderWeavers – Tina & Colleen.

VSA Institute: Arts & Inclusive Learning – Feb 12

Description

VSA Minnesota will host the “VSA Institute: Arts & Inclusive Learning,” a one-day interactive professional development workshop, sponsored by VSA – the International Organization on Arts and Disability located in Washington D. C. The sessions will focus on designing and delivering arts learning experiences that reach students of all abilities. Throughout the day participants will gain an understanding of the foundations of inclusive education and arts-based learning, discuss theories and methods for teaching in inclusive environments, and engage in hands-on techniques that ensure progress for all students.

Registration is FULL. If you are still interested in attending, please visit: http://www.vsamn.org/new.html#institute for more details.

Location

Perpich Center for Arts Education 6125 Olson Memorial Highway, Golden Valley, MN

Date/time

Saturday, February 12. Sessions will take place from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

For more information, contact:

Jenea Rewertz-Targui,
Arts in Education Coordinator
VSA Minnesota
528 Hennepin Ave., Suite 305
Minneapolis, MN 55403
Tel: (612) 332-3888 V/TTY or (800) 801-3883
Fax: (612) 305-0132
Email: jenea@vsamn.org

VSA -- Calls for Art

2011 VSA International Young Soloists Award Call for Entries

For more information: www.vsamn.org/new.html#soloists

Individual musicians who have a disability (physical, cognitive, sensory, learning, emotional or medical), age 25 and under is eligible to apply. Deadline for Minnesota applicants is Friday, December 3, 2010.

2011 VSA Call for Writing

For more information: http://www.vsaarts.org/x889.xml

The call is open to students with disabilities and students who have a connection to people with disabilities. Students must be between the ages of 11 and 18 years. Students up to age 21 receiving special education services are eligible to participate. Deadline for Minnesota applicants is Wednesday, December 1, 2010.

Professional Development Day August 19 – a valuable learning experience!

Professional Development Day– a valuable learning experience!

Twenty-seven people came together at the Perpich Center for Arts Education on August 19 to learn more about the VSA Minnesota Teaching Artist Roster, a community of teaching artists working to create engaging lessons and environments that meet the diverse learning needs of all students.

Participants:

became more familiar with VSA Minnesota’s Artists-in-Residence Grant Program as well as how to become a rostered teaching artist.
experienced a hands-on visual art workshop designed for working with learners with various disabilities.
engaged in a hands-on theater activity taught during an artist residency with students with Autism.
explored the Perpich Center for Arts Education Artful Tools by describing what they experienced using facilitated reflection protocols.
reviewed various disabilities and teaching strategies for each.

Many thanks to the Perpich Center for Arts Education for the use of Glass Box Conference Room and to our fantastic presenters including Lori Brink, Visual Artist/Teaching Artist/Peer Coach; Barbara Hackett Cox, Arts Education Partnership Coordinator, Perpich Center for Arts Education; Steve Busa, Theater Artist/Teaching Artist/Peer Coach; Katie Lipe, Southwest High School Autism Program; and Mary Z. McGrath, Educator/Professional Speaker/Author, Reflections Resources Ltd.