For Immediate Release: August 26, 2008
Contact: Jeff Morgan
Public Relations
515.281.3858
Jeff.Morgan@iowa.gov
IAC and UNI to put more Teaching Artists in Iowa schools for “Creative Classrooms”
Arts education helps students attain higher levels of achievement in core subjects
(DES MOINES, Iowa)—The Iowa Arts Council and UNI’s Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center are teaming up this year to put more Teaching Artists in Iowa’s classrooms.
Iowa educators are encouraged to apply to the “Creative Classrooms” program, which places Teaching Artists in classrooms for five consecutive days with the same students throughout the week.
“Engaging students in participatory learning activities allows for greater understanding and results in closing the achievement gap,” GBPAC Director of Education Amy Hunzelman said. “This collaborative project will help give schools across the state access to Teaching Artists who can help educators strengthen their classroom curriculum.”
Creative Classroom sessions will be led by Teaching Artists from Iowa and surrounding states that have participated in the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts’ Seminar, “Planning Effective Arts-Integrated Residencies for Students.” The residency consists of five components with the artist and teacher(s): planning meeting with the lead teacher; artist performance; individual classroom sessions; student culminating event; and a residency evaluation.
Creative Classrooms help students grow in confidence, self-esteem and appreciation of their own and other students’ talents and abilities while assisting educators in implementing innovative strategies in the arts curriculum.
Artist-in-Residence applications can be downloaded at www.gbpac.org/outreach (click on Creative Classrooms) and must be mailed by Sept. 19, 2008, to Creative Classrooms, Gallagher-Bluedorn PAC, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, Iowa 50614-0801, or faxed to 319-273-7470.
The Gallagher-Bluedorn and IAC will support 75 percent of the artist fee. Schools will be responsible for $250, plus mileage. Grants to support the remaining cost may be possible through the Iowa Arts Council; visit www.iowaartscouncil.org for information.
For more information, contact UNI’s Amy Hunzelman at amy.hunzelman@uni.edu or 319-273-3695; or IAC’s Dawn Oropeza at Dawn.Oropeza@iowa.gov or 515-281-5773.
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The Iowa Arts Council is a division of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs and works to enrich the quality of life for Iowans through support of the arts. Funding for the Iowa Arts Council and its programs is provided by the State of Iowa and the National Endowment for the Arts. Please visit www.iowaartscouncil.org for more information.