LAUSD and the Arts

The Los Angeles Unified School District recognizes that education in the arts make a unique and vital contribution to a child*s cognitive development. Therefore the District is committed to providing all students with opportunities to attain a substantive education in the visual and performing arts at all grade levels, an education that will prepare them to create, collaborate, problem solve, perform, and appreciate works of art.

On July 22, 1999, the Los Angeles Unified School District*s Board of Education unanimously passed a resolution to commence a 10-year effort to establish arts for all students, at all grade levels, in all schools, in all four art forms. To accomplish this goal, LAUSD*s Arts Education Branch began Arts Program Schools (APS) at the elementary level. In the first eight years of the program the number of schools participating has grown from 54 to 392 and it is projected that by 2010 all elementary schools in the District will have the opportunity to participate in the APS project.

In the 2007 - 2008 school year the Arts Education Branch launched a new project at the middle school level to meet the needs of middle and high school arts teachers. The Arts Bridging Teacher Project assigns various visual and performing arts teachers to feeder schools in order to build enrollment and experience in individual art forms .

In addition to the four arts content areas mentioned above, Dance, Music, Theatre and Visual Art, the Los Angeles Unified School District, Arts Education Branch (AEB) seeks to establish and support Media Arts as a fifth standards-based Arts Content discipline. Media Arts are an art form comprising of a range of creative and expressive uses of media and communications technologies, including, but not limited to , digital imaging, graphic and web design, video/film production, television, digital music, video gaming, mobile devices and interactive media.

Work has begun on the next 10-year District Arts Education Plan. The second 10-year plan must extend the critical and necessary components of a well-rounded, dynamic and rich arts education and will focus on a K - 12 continuous and articulated curriculum. The Los Angeles Unified School District recognize that the Arts programs benefit students from the entire spectrum of educational programs and demographics, including special education, at-risk, GATE, and English Learners. LAUSD further understands that the Arts, (all five) increase student engagement, empower students' creative voices, and promote active participation in an increasingly networked world.

Saturday, February 28, 2009

The Budget Plan for LAUSD in Plain Language

from the office of superintendent Ramón C. Cortines

OVERVIEW

1. Based on current projections from the State, our projected district shortfall is between $600 and $700 million and the prospects do not look any brighter for future years. We also do not know if we will have class size or categorical flexibility, so we must prepare for the worst case scenario.

2. My philosophy for moving forward will be the same as the 2000 Plan adopted by the Board

a) Central offices are to be right-sized and to focus on core operations, monitoring and oversight

b) The local districts are to provide support and service to schools

c) The schools are the heart of our District and are where teaching and learning takes place

3. Federal Stimulus money will provide some temporary relief, since the money is for one time expenses (spread over two years). Flexibility and use of this money still has not been determined.

a) Although the stimulus money has yet to be finalized, I will recommend that the majority of any unrestricted resources to be set aside to protect the schools.

To see the rest of this message go to:

http://nocalbudget.blogspot.com/2009/02/lausd-budget-update-as-of-21809.html

Friday, February 20, 2009

21st Century Skills

In keeping with the notion of needing 21st Century skills check out this website that speaks to the integration of technology in the classroom in a culturally responsive and relevant way. There are a myriad of uses for the iPod that would make presenting information and providing resources much easier. Check it out.

http://community.discoveryeducation.com/files/media_matters/iPodWebinarMACUL.pdf

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Idyllwild Arts - Summer Program

Idyllwild Arts Summer Program
YOUTH ART WORKSHOPS
Youth Painting and Drawing
July 12 - August 22, 2008


Idyllwild Arts Summer Program
Youth Painting and Drawing
P.O. Box 38, Idyllwild, CA 92549
PH: (951) 659-2171 ext: 2365
FX: (951) 659-4552
E-mail: summer@idyllwildarts.org
Web site: http://www.idyllwildarts.org

Please direct e-mail inquiries to the program's address (above); DO NOT use "Reply" button, it will send to ArtScene.
To view this announcement online:
http://artscenecal.com/0209/Idyllwild0209.html


Olivia Canak, pencil on paper, Masters' Class (Session III)

Idyllwild Arts Summer Program is now accepting applications for
Youth Painting and Drawing. This program is designed to provide instruction to the student interested in developing their skills and interests in the visual arts.

This six week program is divided into 3 two-week sessions:

Youth Painting and Drawing I: Introductory Session. July 12 - July 25
Description: An Introduction to Freshman College Level Drawing and Painting.
Drawing: approaches and techniques using the model
Painting: application of acrylic paint and critical analysis of conceptual development and content
John Brosio
University of California, BFA
Pasadena Art Center College of Design
Richard Godfrey
San Francisco Art Institute, MFA
San Francisco Art Institute, BFA

Youth Painting and Drawing II: Intermediate Session. July 26 - August 8
Description: Advanced Drawing and Painting.
Both drawing and painting will consist of exercises using diverse media and advanced techniques in life drawing and oil painting. Classes are designed to produce work for college entrance portfolios
Richard Godfrey
San Francisco Art Institute, MFA
San Francisco Art Institute, BFA
Sarah Lehrer-Graiwer
Pasadena Art Center College of Design, MA
Harvard University, BA

Master Class - Portfolio Preparation: Advanced Session. August 9 - August 22
Description: Portfolio preparation, compilation, and presentation
For advanced students that are interested in developing a portfolio for college entrance. Each student will be assigned various 'in class' as well as independent study exercises to enhance their portfolio. Workshops focusing on resumes, artist statements, and application procedures. The session will culminate with a one person show of individual students at the Parkman Exhibition Center.
Richard Godfrey
San Francisco Art Institute, MFA
San Francisco Art Institute, BFA
Rachel Welch
California Polytech, San Luis Obispo, BFA
Accademia di Bel la Arte, Florence, Italy

Workshops can be taken separately or collectively and are open to individuals 14-18 years of age.
Tuition: $2450 (includes room and board)
For more information visit our website: http://www.idyllwildarts.org or call (951) 659-2171 ext: 2365 to request a catalog.

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Job Offering

The HeArt Project brings arts education to Los Angeles teenagers,
providing them with ongoing workshops led by professional artists and
opportunities to present their work in major cultural institutions.
Working with 25 alternative high schools, the program currently serves
over 500 students annually. The HeArt Project is seeking a workshop
coordinator who will work in HP classrooms along with the teaching
artists. Workshop coordinators are a unique and critical part of The
HeArt Project's philosophy. They help ensure that each classroom
boasts an effective learning atmosphere. They are assigned to specific
classrooms and build relationships with teachers and students. They are
essential to helping our students participate in HP's progressively
challenging ladder of opportunities. Key responsibilities of the
workshop coordinator include:

• Attend weekly workshops at 5 assigned schools
• Support teaching artist by managing classroom during workshops
• Act as liaison with artist, teacher, students
• Manage purchase and distribution of art supplies
• Administer HP evaluation tools
• Maintain a roster of student attendance
• Keep a weekly journal of class observations
• Prep student speakers for workshop public presentations
• Manage student art – including transport and labeling --
for workshop public presentations
• Document art-making by students

Qualified candidates will possess previous classroom experience, ideally
with teenagers; familiarity, knowledge, experience in the arts (visual,
performing, media, and/or music); proficiency with digital creative
software tools, such as Photoshop, Illustrator, PowerPoint, Final Cut
Pro; good organization and communication skills, and the ability to
speak at least conversational Spanish. Successful candidate will work as
part of a strong organizational team; communicate effectively both
verbally and in writing; add to the diverse backgrounds and experiences
currently represented in the staff; and enjoy working for the benefit of
young people. Must have a car with insurance.

Part-time, 20-hours/week position with health benefits. To apply,
please submit a cover letter and resume to:

Margit Edwards, Program Director
The HeArt Project
1047 W. 24th St.
Los Angeles, CA 90007
Fax: (213) 747-5280
Email: margit@theheartproject.org

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Witness to a Dream


A free, special screening of "Witness to A Dream," a documentary about the 2003 graduating class of choir members from the Foshay Learning Center is scheduled February 11 at USC's Galen Center.
You can RSVP to: http://usc.edu/esvp and type in FOSHAY.
Join us for this inspirational movie.