Arts for Learning & the Oregon Arts Commission

You can read more about our Arts for Learning project with the Beaverton School District, funded by the US Department of Education Investing in Innovation (I3) grant…

Arts Commission Releases Two New Monographs

The Oregon Arts Commission announces publication of two new monographs, Arts Build Communities, which highlights twenty-eight Arts Build Communities projects, undertaken across the state between January and December, 2010; and  Proficiency in the Arts and Beyond: Arts Learning in Oregon, which highlights Oregon-based best practices and notable accomplishments in arts education, and profiles eight individuals and organizations making a positive impact in their educational community.

The Commission created the Arts Build Communities program in Oregon in 1996, using federal funds from the National Endowment for the Arts to better connect the arts with issues important to Oregonians: downtown revitalization, small business development, community and folk traditions and projects engaging youth.  The 2010-funded projects benefited more than 300,000 people in Oregon.

Read or download both reports: http://www.oregonartscommission.org/about/oregon_arts_commission_publications.php

source: Oregon Arts Commission

Investing in Innovation (I3) Update

Arts for Learning

What an exciting school year it has been! As soon as our funding was finalized in September 2010, we began working on designing, devising and executing our 5 year project. Project partners met in Portland, OR, and then continued to collaborate from around the country to ensure success on all fronts. Our work was made possible because of community support and belief in this program. And it is because of that we were able to meet such tremendous milestones

A total of 48 classroom teachers in 16 schools piloted curriculum-aligned Units, reaching over 1,300 students. Working directly with teachers, through several professional development opportunities and implementation support, along with forums for feedback and reflection, we have laid the groundwork for what is to come.

The Arts for Learning Lessons, in previous implementations elsewhere, have successfully reached all types of learners, particularly English Language Learners, economically disadvantaged students, and students with disabilities. We were able to witness that success in each of the 48 classrooms in Beaverton: Teachers reported students’ increased engagement level, collaboration skills, and confidence in reading and writing. Teachers marveled at the students’ written work as students began to find their voice and write dynamic stories and poems. One teacher after another asked: Why didn’t we have this sooner?

As we look ahead to the significant increase in scope and scale of next fall, we recognize the diligence, perseverance, and dedication of these lead 48 teachers who will carry us through to another successful school year. Increasing from one teacher in each of grades 3-5 per school to all teachers in grades 3-5, we’ll have just under 200 teachers involved— reaching over 5,000 students.

We are so pleased to share the wonderful progress that we’ve made!

source: Allison Tigard, A4L Project Coordinator