Dear Friends and Members of ArtsEd Washington;

I’m writing my annual play with the students from The Center School. I’m looking to the Greeks for my inspiration and I’ve been thinking a lot about our girl Pandora. You know, the curious one who just couldn’t resist opening that stupid box and releasing all that evil? After all that yucky stuff got out, there was one thing left clinging to the side of the box: hope. Scholars debate whether that makes hope a good thing—an antidote to all the trouble—or a bad thing—what was hope doing in that bad box to begin with? Kind of a guilt-by-association thing. While I will admit to a penchant for wearing rose-colored glasses and making some BIG pitchers of lemonade, I happen to think hope is a good thing. In this time of caucuses and renewed political debates and discussions about the future of our nation, I think hope is such an essential element of what motivates and sustains us, even through the toughest of times.

I am sincerely grateful for the hope ArtsEd Washington has bred in me. When I began as a board member some 5 or 6 years ago now, I was one of those people who would throw up her hands about education in general, let alone arts education, and intone: “Some things will never change.” I didn’t want to be so cynical and I did continue to do good work with students, but it all seemed like such a small effort in the face of such a huge problem. My work with ArtsEd Washington has given me a chance to see the bigger picture, and to realize that I CAN make an impact. By banding together, we are making progress—particularly when we work collaboratively, supporting one another and our students. All of our students across the state.

Without being too Pollyanna (see above for my lemonade recipe), I want each of you to feel that sense of hope and the ability—the power—to make a difference in our schools and in our communities. Reading this newsletter is a good start. In it, you will find news of tangible steps forward that I hope will inspire you.

Becoming a member of ArtsEd Washington (if you haven’t already) is another important step you can take. Your membership not only provides ArtsEd Washington with crucial dollars to support its work in the field, but also strengthens its voice at the tables where decisions about arts education are made. As a member, you'll also get a priority invitation to our Annual Meeting, tentatively scheduled for Monday, May 5.

ArtsEd Washington is here to help you make a difference. We’re also here to help when you feel the cold nip of cynicism and helplessness overwhelming hope. For myself, I am more committed than ever to making the world a better place starting with our schools, now that I am a mom to Ulysses and Finnegan (who recently turned 7 months old). If you ever needed proof that the arts are an integral part of our human selves, you should come by my house in West Seattle and watch those boys bust a move as soon as music comes on.

Take care, hope for great things and take action on those hopes for more arts in our schools — the universe will hear you.

Andrea Allen, Board President

P.S. If you want to see how my play turns out, come by Seattle Rep in May!

Hello, ArtsEd colleagues!

Olympia Update
As January turns to February, we find ourselves in the middle of the 60-day, 2008 state legislative session. For those of us who work in or support arts education, this is the time of the year when our voices need to remind our legislators of the importance of arts in our schools and communities. Although it may seem intimidating to contact a state senator or representative, it really is what our democratic system is all about. State legislators need and want to hear from their constituents. During this time, WSAA sends out several “Action Alerts” to arts advocates regarding action on issues that need immediate response. Our first alert this session regarded House Bill 2500 and Senate Bill 6314.

Una and her team of writers prepared the messages that we distributed. Thank you for your good work in responding to this alert. Your messages have made a huge difference in Olympia. However, the session isn’t over and we still have much to do. You can visit the WSAA website at http://www.wsartsalliance.com and click through the action alerts listed. Your participation is greatly appreciated by your ArtsEd colleagues and, of course, all K-12 students across the state.

Arts Day is February 19
For information on how to further show your support to the legislators, please join other arts colleagues on Arts Day 2008 on February 19 at the Capitol Building in Olympia. In addition to meeting with your district senators and representatives or aides, there will be a program at noon in the Rotunda that includes the reading of Governor Gregoire’s Arts Day 2008 Proclamation, presentations by legislators, and readings by our new WA State Poet Laureate, Samuel Green. Visit the WSAA website http://www.wsartsalliance.com for more information. We hope you’ll join us as an effective advocate for the arts!

Save the Date(s) for the Cultural Congress
Don't miss the chance to attend the Cultural Congress 2008, a popular three-day arts conference at Sleeping Lady Mountain Retreat near Leavenworth, WA, scheduled for April 28-30 this year. More details on the WSAA website.

Best regards, Mary Langholz

SIGN UP FOR ACTION ALERTS!!  WSAA Action Alerts will give you the tools to contact your legislators from your office or home, on issues that you care about, and in a timely fashion. To sign up go to: http://capwiz.com/artsusa/wa/mlm/signup/

The Washington State Arts Alliance is the statewide advocacy organization that works to promote public funding, legislation and policy favorable to the arts. Visit their website at http://www.wsartsalliance.com/ for more information.

Professional Development and School Outreach Opportunities
Professional development opportunities through our member organizations are posted on our website. Visit the Professional Development Calendar to explore the options and plan your professional development in the arts this year.


Reports, News and Other Resources
We strive to collect the latest research reports, news and information impacting arts education, both locally, at state level and around the nation and to share with you in one central location. Visit our Resource HQ to read this month's latest listings.


Funding Opportunities
New funding opportunities have been added to our website. Click here to find the right fit for your arts education program.


ArtsEd Washington is your Resource Headquarters!
Bookmark the ArtsEd Washington website and check back regularly for news and information at the national, state and local level.

 

Local News and Selected Highlights:

INTIMAN Theatre Presents the Second Ruben Van Kempen Arts Educator Award
INTIMAN Theatre will present educator, director, and actor Thomas J. Armitage with its Ruben Van Kempen Arts Educator Award at the Theatre’s Annual Meeting on March 17. INTIMAN inaugurated this biennial award (which is named for its first recipient) in 2006 to honor performing arts teachers who help make the world a better place through their contributions to arts education and our community.

Armitage, the second recipient, is the Director of Theatre at North Central High School in Spokane, where he has taught and directed more than 50 plays and musicals since joining the faculty in 1979. Armitage was nominated for the honor by his former student Benjamin Stuart, who praised the unique production experiences he offers students, as well as his commitment to celebrating invention, creativity, and life.

Current and former students and colleagues are encouraged to contribute testimonials, thank-you's, memories or anecdotes, for a collection being organized in tribute to Armitage’s achievements as an educator and his career in the arts. Testimonials should be sent to thankyouarmo@gmail.com; the deadline to send submissions is Monday, March 31. For more information, visit http://www.intiman.org


Seattle Center Academy - Applications due by Friday, May 16
Seattle Center Academy is a unique, two-week arts program for 7th and 8th graders held Monday through Friday, July 28 – August 8. Students explore their creative interests through hands-on experience in the arts: they act, sing, dance, paint, sculpt, draw cartoons, play guitar, produce videos and radio programs, write songs and poetry, design the next fashion trends, and make new friends. An application and other information are available online at http://www.seattlecenter.com/academy/ For more information, contact the Academy at (206) 233-3959 or academysc@seattle.gov

Congressman Adam Smith's Art Show - Call for Entries
Every year, members of the U.S. Congress are allowed to display one piece of artwork by a high school student from their district in the U.S. Capitol for one year. To determine which piece of art from the 9th Congressional District receives this honor, U.S. Representative Adam Smith will hold his annual judged arts competition on Saturday, May 10, at the Tacoma Art Museum. Entries will be accepted from March 1 to April 4 in Rep. Smith’s district office in Tacoma, and will be on display at the Museum during the month of May. The selected student will win a $5,000 a year renewable scholarship from the Savannah College of Art and Design, and be invited to attend the opening ceremony on Wednesday, June 25, in Washington, D.C. For more information about the competition, please visit Rep. Smith’s website at http://www.house.gov/adamsmith/students/art.shtml


The Art of the Web
Online student art galleries are a win-win situation: Student artwork is highly visible and accessible, and districts don’t have to spend much to get started. Several school districts, including the Bellevue SD, have benefited from this new method of art presentation. “Publishing art online is a great way to emphasize the value of student work and display what we do as educators,” says Lisa Crubaugh, Bellevue’s Art Curriculum Director. Read the full article here http://www.districtadministration.com/viewarticle.aspx?articleid=1340

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