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2010 ARTS ON FIRE - FOCUS ON THE IOWA CORE CURRICULUM

Experience how the arts can engage students of all abilities at all
grade levels across the curriculum.  You will depart this course with resources and practical applications based on differential learning and multiple intelligences.  Integrating the arts into your classroom along
with modifications for at-risk students and those with disabilities is not
only effective teaching, but also an exciting venture into learning. 

The arts meet academics…who knew!

The Class: VSA Iowa designed a new class, “Arts on Fire - Focus on the Iowa Core Curriculum” to ignite student interest and enrich academic classes.  Visual arts, music, poetry, and movement activities will invite students to embrace fire.  To set the stage for an inclusive setting, strategies will be analyzed as participants explore adaptations to meet a variety of individual needs. 

Facilitated by art and music consultants experienced in using the arts with children of all abilities, this class offers a unique opportunity to participate in hands-on art activities while networking with colleagues.  Handouts of alternative ideas and a bibliography provide rich resources to foster in-depth levels of learning and promote creativity.  Infusing academics such as science, reading, social studies, and writing with lessons that connect the arts to air and wind components opens new avenues in the pursuit of learning and honing social skills.

The Benefit: Following the course, participants may hire a VSA Iowa artist to visit their classroom or facility.  Teachers select from a roster of twenty-five artists with disabilities.  The artist then visits the classroom for two to three hours teaching their art form and alternately serving as a positive role model.  The cost for an “artist workshop” is $15 per hour/per artist.  VSA Iowa covers the remaining salary plus materials and all other expenses. 

The Success: Last year, we served over 11,000 students and over 175 teachers throughout Iowa.  Our AEA partnership benefits educators by providing new techniques and teaching lessons for children of all abilities while earning staff development and graduate credit.  A VSA artist in the classroom provides
students not only with disability awareness, but also enriched learning through the arts.

For questions, please contact:
Kathy Kooyman, Arts For Children Coordinator
at kathy.kooyman@iowa.gov or 515.281-3715

Stephanie Jessen, Executive Director
at steph.jessen@iowa.gov or 515.281-5839

ARTIST TRAINING WORKSHOPS

Throughout the year, VSA Iowa offers a variety of workshops to assist artists in developing their art forms and business practices. These workshops include topics such as matting and framing artwork, marketing yourself and your business, pricing your artwork, the benefits of self-employment, etc. Please review the list of opportunities below to find out how to get involved.

There are no upcoming workshops at this time. Please check back soon.