Wishing You Time
Hello all,
As I get older, I appreciate and value TIME more. It is the one thing we can't "save" or "store up." You can't buy more of it, trade it, or give it away. And, as I have found out on more than one occasion, you can certainly "waste" it. My wish to all of you this season is that you savor those moments with family and friends. Protect the TIME you need to care for yourself and your loved ones. Wishing you all the best as we head toward 2024!
Gratefully,
Chris
Schools Planning To Use "Like The Wind" Resources!
Many thanks to all of the schools who have reached out regarding the Wisconsin Arts Celebration Project celebrating the Wisconsin Arts Board's 50th Anniversary. Plans are well underway for a number of schools to implement the lesson plans, poem, and music into their curriculums. Below is a list of the schools that have notified me recently about their plans. Many thanks to these educators and students (and all those I haven't heard from yet) who plan to participate. I would LOVE to add you to this list! The goal is to connect to the poem, use the resources, and then share some artifacts with me prior to the end of the school year. Once I start getting more artifacts (classroom examples, videos & recordings) in I will post it on the DPI website. To access the project CLICK HERE.
Visual Art Classrooms
St. Thomas More High School - Jodi Brzezinski, art educator
Janesville, Jackson Elementary School - Chelsea Brown, art educator
New Holstein High School - Susan Roepke, art educator
Milwaukee Ronald Reagan IB School - Chad Sperzel-Wuchterl, art educator
Northwestern Elementary School - Amy Mack, art educator
Adams-Friendship School District - Leah Keller, art educator
Black River Falls High School - Jennifer Dahl, art educator
Media Art Classrooms
New Holstein High School - Susan Roepke, art educator
Music Classrooms - "Like The Wind" by Erika Svanoe Planned Performances
Kaukauna High School Choir - Joy Paffenroth, music educator
Kaukauna High School Band - Jacob Martin, music educator
South Milwauke High School Choir - Aimee Swanson, music educator
Wausau West High School Band - Dan Emerson, music educator
Westby Area High School Band - Kory Dahlen, music educator
Durand-Arkansaw School Band - Andrew Smits, music educator
Juda High School Band - Aly Olson, music educator
Clintonville High School Choir - Leah Armstrong, music educator
Theatre Classrooms
Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln High School - Sara Danke Lukaszewicz, theatre educator
Dance Classrooms
Madison Metropolitan School District - Chell Parkins, dance educator
Take the DPI's Strategic Planning Survey and Attend a Community Engagement Session!
The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction is currently engaged in the creation of a five-year strategic plan. The Strategic Plan aims to align the work of the agency and the needs of all learners in our schools and libraries. Our strategic planning process features three phases, culminating in a final strategic plan being released in fall 2024. The development of the strategic plan requires inclusive opportunities to engage, listen and co-create.
Take the DPI Strategic Planning survey now!
Your input is important and crucial to shaping our initiatives for schools and libraries. This survey is anonymous. Names and email addresses will not be collected.
Community Engagement Sessions:
The DPI is also hosting a series of Strategic Planning Community Engagement Sessions throughout the state. During each session, DPI staff will engage in facilitated conversations to gather additional perspectives within various communities.
Space is limited! If you're interested in attending a community engagement session, please register for the option below nearest to you (or whichever one works best in your schedule if you're willing to travel). We hope to see you soon! Please know we will use the information from the registration form to anticipate attendance, make accommodations, and to follow up after the event if there is an email provided on the form. The DPI will not use personal identification or personal attributions in our notes and analysis.
Northern Wisconsin (CESA 12)
Location TBD
Dec. 4, 2023, 5:30-7 p.m.
Spooner
Spooner High School - 801 Cty Hwy A, Choir Room, Spooner, WI
Dec. 5, 2023, 5-6:30 p.m.
Crivitz
Crivitz School District - 400 South Ave, Crivitz, WI
Dec. 13, 2023, 5-6:30 p.m.
Virtual Session
A link to the session will be emailed to you closer to the date of the event.
Dec. 18, 2023, 9-10:30 a.m.
Virtual Session
A link to the session will be emailed to you closer to the date of the event.
Jan. 31, 2023, 5:30-7 p.m.
School and District Accountability Report Cards for the 2022-23 School Year Now Available
With the publication of the school report cards, it is a good time to review the Arts Education Data that is included in these reports. To learn more about the Arts Education Data reporting process watch this video.
The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction published school and district accountability report cards for the 2022-23 school year. The DPI publishes school and district report cards annually, as required by Wis. Stat. 115.385. Report cards include data for multiple school years across four priority areas: Achievement, Growth, Target Group Outcomes, and On-Track to Graduation. The Achievement and Growth priority areas are weighted based on a district or school percentage of economically disadvantaged pupils, as required by state law. A district or school’s overall accountability score places it into one of five overall accountability ratings: Significantly Exceeds Expectations (five stars), Exceeds Expectations (four stars), Meets Expectations (three stars), Meets Few Expectations (two stars), and Fails to Meet Expectations (one star). Report cards use up to three years of data, including achievement data from 2020-21, 2021-22, and 2022-23.
Visit the DPI’s website for a full news release regarding accountability report cards. For detailed district and school report cards, go to the DPI’s report cards website.
The DPI recommends careful review of not only the report card front page, but of the multiple pages of student performance data broken down by student group and across years to highlight trends and deepen analysis of group, school, and district performance. Additional information on report cards can also be found on the DPI’s Office of Educational Accountability webpage.
We asked Wisconsin teachers to send in student artwork. See the result: over 400 pieces
This fall, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel endeavored to complete a seemingly simple project: to showcase artwork from elementary and middle school students across Wisconsin.
To that end, we asked art teachers to submit examples of their students' art.
The response was overwhelming.
The Journal Sentinel received more than 400 pieces from teachers in public and private schools, plus parents of homeschooled students. The submissions were created this school year by students in kindergarten through eighth grade, ages 5 to 14.
Students decorate paper ornaments for Milwaukee Co. Courthouse Christmas tree
The Milwaukee County Courthouse Christmas tree has some color now.
The group Arts @ Large teamed up with county workers to decorate the big Evergreen Monday, with lots of lights and almost 2,000 paper ornaments.
The ornaments were decorated by elementary school students in the county who were asked to show what makes Milwaukee County feel like home to them.
Door County theater teacher named to state hall of fame as her students win festival awards
Gibraltar High School performing arts director Lizbeth Thomas joined a statewide hall of fame for her work in high school theater while her students were winning seven awards in a scholastic theater festival this past weekend.
Greendale High School Band dazzles nation at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
Decked out in their absolute best, the Greendale High School Band definitely made quite the impression on the national stage, when they strutted their stuff during this year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
“It is their moment. Get ready to see why the Greendale High School Marching Band, led by Tom Reifenberg and Liz Parsons, is a 19-time Wisconsin state champion!” said Hoda Kotb.
Wisconsin teacher wins national award for her impact on students
HARTLAND, Wis. — A Hartland teacher with a love for performing arts has been nationally recognized for her work.
Maralynn Markano has been a teacher at Arrowhead High School for 24 years. She teaches English, speech and acting at the school. Markano is also the theater director for Arrowhead High School. Over the years, she’s directed dozens of shows.
2024 Aviation Art Contest - "Air Sports For A Peaceful World"
We at WisDOT hope you are enjoying the holiday season. As we head into the new year, we would like to invite your students and others you think would be interested to participate in this year's aviation art contest. Official brochure/entry form is attached, you will find the address to send entries located on the front of the brochure.
We received fantastic entries last year and are looking forward to another year of creative entries! Again this year, we have awards for the top three entries in each age group (a $100 gift card or discovery flight for 1st place, $75 gift card for 2nd place, and $50 gift card for 3rd place).
To participate:
- Please visit the WisDOT Aviation Art Contest website (includes detailed information and the contest brochure)
- Students are invited to create artwork connected to this year's theme: "Air Sports For A Peaceful World"
- Schools/students should send entries to the WisDOT Bureau of Aeronautics by Friday, January 9, 2024.
Participate in the 7th Arts Olympiad
Schools are invited to participate in the 7th Arts Olympiad of the International Child Art Foundation. The Arts Olympiad introduces students ages 8-12 to the "Artist-Athlete Ideal" of the creativity mind and healthy body. This revised self-image solidifies when students depict themselves as "artist-athletes" in their artwork on the theme "My Favorite Sport."
The Arts Olympiad is free of charge for public schools. Teachers select one or two Arts Olympiad winners based on originality and creativity of their paintings, drawings or digital art. These winners are invited to represent their school community as official delegates to the 7th World Children's Festival at The National Mall across the U.S. Capitol from June 30 - July 2, 2024.
Green Bay West High School wins Austin Straubel Airport tree decorating contest
Announced back in October, the tree-decorating contest was supposed to have just one winner. But the contest judges were impressed by the amount of exceptional ideas proposed and decided to name two second-place winners, who will get $1,000 to decorate a 10-foot tree with their idea.
New program gives EHS students access to artistic professionals
A new collaboration between Étude High School and the John Michael Kohler Arts Center will give students new artistic insights for special projects. The newly created fellowship program gives a small group of students who excel at project-based learning access to the JMKAC experts for projects that integrate academic concepts with art forms. Led by teachers Molly King, Michael Hanlon and Principal Ted Hamm, the inaugural program involves seven students who are planning special projects that tie in to the Arts Centers current theme: Kin.
Six students from Eau Claire Memorial High School to march in NYC
As we get closer to Thanksgiving, many people start to think of the food and desserts going with the big meal. Yet, some students from Eau Claire Memorial High School are thinking about apples or the big apple.
Wisconsin Dance Council Presents Awards
Andrea Harris – Recipient of the 2023 WDC Research and Journalism Award
Christal Wagner – Recipient of the 2023 WDC Choreography and Performance Award
Sandra Jordan – Recipient of the WDC 2023 Margaret H’Doubler Award
Catey Ott-Thompson - Recipient of the 2023 WDC Choreography and Performance Award -
Paul Kosidowski – Recipient of the 2023 WDC Research and Journalism Award
Pamela Frautschi – Recipient of the 2023 WDC Friend of Dance Award
Cedric Gardner – Recipient of the 2023 WDC Choreography and Performance Award
National Computer-Generated Animation Competition for Girls in grades 3-12. Deadline: Friday, Feb 2, 2024
The same way an artist uses pencil, paint, or clay to express themselves, computer programming also allows artists to create visual, auditory & interactive artwork with seemingly endless possibilities!
Eligibility
Participants must be female-identifying or gender non-binary students in 3rd-12th grade who reside in the United States or the District of Columbia.
Objective
Write a computer program to generate an Animated Art piece and provide a working link to view both the artwork and the code. An animation could feature patterns, shapes, characters, landscapes, etc. and should have movement that starts automatically or when the play button is clicked.
Milwaukee Students Win Inaugural Vocal Award
Two students from the Milwaukee High School of the Arts vocal music program have been selected as winners of the inaugural Ravenscroft Jazz Prize, a national competition recognizing developing young jazz singers, aged 17-19.
Dystince Robertson, senior- has been awarded 1st place and will receive a cash prize of $1,000
Damien Blair, class of '22- has been awarded 2nd place and will receive a cash prize of $500
KEEP WILDLIFE WILD POSTER CONTEST NOW OPEN
MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced that the 2024 Keep Wildlife Wild poster contest is now open. Students in fourth, fifth and sixth grades enrolled in public, private, parochial or home schools in Wisconsin are eligible to participate.
The Keep Wildlife Wild program began in 2014 to spread the word about our shared role in keeping all wildlife healthy in its natural habitat. The contest's goal is to create a poster that teaches the importance of enjoying and observing wildlife in the wild and not keeping wildlife in homes or as pets.
VALLEY ARTS GRANTS
The St. Croix Valley Foundation (SCVF) recognizes that participation in arts and cultural activities enriches the region’s quality of life, promotes interaction among residents, and builds community across diverse groups. Therefore, the Valley Arts Initiative grant program intends to fund high-quality arts experiences – supporting artists and nonprofits, engaging the community, and ultimately fostering a rich and diverse arts ecosystem in the St. Croix Valley.
Shubert Foundation invites applications from nonprofit theaters
Established in 1945, the Shubert Foundation is America’s oldest professional theatre company and the largest theatre owner on Broadway.
The foundation invites applications from a broad spectrum of arts organizations, from large to small, covering a wide range of locations, from urban to rural. The foundation is especially interested in supporting professional resident theatre and dance companies that develop and produce new American work. Not-for-profit, professional theaters in the United States are the primary recipients of Shubert Foundation general operating support grants.
BEST COMMUNITIES FOR MUSIC EDUCATION
The Best Communities for Music Education survey acknowledges schools and districts across the United States for their commitment to and support of music education.
Grants for Humanities Programs
Wisconsin Humanities awards grants to support locally-initiated public humanities programs. Grants for humanities programs are awarded to encourage greater public participation in humanities programming, spark imagination, and promote thoughtful conversation across the state. We especially encourage organizations in underserved communities to apply.
Applications open for 'Let the Music Play' grants to support local music education
There is an ongoing effort to provide a financial boost to a wide array of music education programs, including band, orchestra, musical theater, dance and more, aiming to enrich the local youth music scene.
ArtsHERE Initiative and Grant Opportunity
The National Endowment for the Arts recently announced a new initiative, ArtsHERE. This initiative will provide non-matching grant support for organizations that have demonstrated a commitment to equity within their practices and programming. Grants will fund specific projects that will strengthen grantees’ capacity to sustain meaningful community engagement and increase arts participation for underserved groups or communities. ArtsHERE is also a knowledge-sharing endeavor, with peer-learning and technical assistance opportunities for grantees.
50 Artists for 50 Years
Did you know that in celebration of the Wisconsin Arts Board's 50th Anniversary they are highlighting 50 of Wisconsin's amazing artists and their work here? Consider using this information to share with your students OR do some research on Wisconsin artists and nominate someone!
2023 Elections and Changes to State Education Leadership
Each election cycle brings in new leadership that can impact the education policy landscape. Education Commission of the States, AEP's parent organization, created two resources to help you digest the results. Check out the annual one-pager that highlights key changes in state leadership and looks ahead to statewide offices up for election next year.
VICTORY FOR THE ARTS IN THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES!
On November 3, two attempts to eliminate federal funding for the arts and humanities in the Fiscal Year 2024 Interior Appropriations were both soundly defeated!
Freedom Caucus Chairman Scott Perry (R-PA-10) sponsored two floor amendments:
- Amendment #60 to eliminate all funding for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) was defeated by a vote of 292-129
- Amendment #61 to eliminate all funding to the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) was defeated by a vote of 292 to 132.
100% of Democrats voted against both amendments and were joined by a strong 39% of Republicans to make it a bipartisan declaration that Congress supports the arts and culture. You can now see your House member voted on the NEA vote and the NEH vote.
Addressing Equity in Afterschool and Summer Programs
Wallace’s vice president of research, Bronwyn Bevan, recently talked with two professors about how to address equity in afterschool and summer programs. Through their research, they sought to understand how school districts that addressed equity during the school day pushed for equity in afterschool and summer programs. Read the whole interview here.
New Reports on Arts Participation During COVID-19
Two new NEA research publications are now available: Arts Participation Patterns in 2022: Highlights from the Survey of Public Participation in the Arts and Online Audiences for Arts Programming: A Survey of Virtual Participation Amid COVID-19. The reports are based on data from the Survey on Public Participation of the Arts (SPPA) and an arts module released through the General Social Survey, both administered in 2022. Additional demographic tables accompany the SPPA report, for an in depth look at arts activities by sex, race/ethnicity, age, and educational attainment. Next year, our office will publish a more detailed report of the 2022 SPPA data. Data is available on the U.S. Census Bureau website and will soon be available on National Archive of Data on Arts & Culture.
Children’s brains develop faster with music training
Music instruction appears to accelerate brain development in young children, particularly in the areas of the brain responsible for processing sound, language development, speech perception and reading skills, according to initial results of a five-year study by USC neuroscientists.
The Brain and Creativity Institute (BCI) at USC began the five-year study in 2012 in partnership with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association and the Heart of Los Angeles (HOLA) to examine the impact of music instruction on children’s social, emotional and cognitive development.
Computer Science + Dance
Join us for an inspiring web series that explores the exciting fusion of computer science and other areas of interest (CS+). Hear students, educators, researchers, and professionals talk about their work in areas such as art, music, medicine, and other fields and how computer science is embedded in what they do.
Whether you’re a current student curious about future possibilities, a recent graduate seeking career inspiration, or an aspiring professional looking for guidance, these webinars are designed to empower you with knowledge, guidance, and a sense of belonging in these innovative fields.
Dance and Early Childhood Workshops
Luna Dance & Creativity have two upcoming workshops for dance educators working with young learners!
- Early Childhood Dance & Literacy | Dec. 9 - Discover how dance intersects with language learning and literacy skills and stands as a language on its own.
- Love, Move, Play: Dance in Early Childhood | Winter 2024 - Investigate early childhood development and neurocellular patterns in an embodied way, and explore how the elements of dance can be used to support young children’s need to move.
NIH/NEA Sponsored Workshop on Music as Medicine
The workshop “Music as Medicine: The Science and Clinical Practice,” taking place December 14–15, 2023, aims to highlight accomplishments from the last 6 years in advancing scientific research on music and health, develop a blueprint for the next phase of research, and further build the research community. The workshop is sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the NEA and jointly organized by NIH, the NEA, the Renée Fleming Foundation, and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The workshop is cochaired by Dr. Francis Collins, former NIH director, and Ms. Renée Fleming, the renowned soprano and arts and health advocate, both of whom will deliver keynote speeches. Reserve a spot
Celebrate Computer Science ED Week with Code/Art!
We invite you to celebrate CS ED Week with Code/Art! Join us for two FREE virtual PDs happening on Saturday, December 2nd. You will learn fun and creative coding lessons to do with your students during Hour of Code or anytime throughout the year.
The first PD is "Animated Art with JavaScript," and the second (after an hour break in between) is "Game Design with Scratch." Both sessions are open to K-12 School Teachers, and no prior coding experience is required to participate. Register for one or both to learn these two (2) easy-to-teach creative coding lessons and gain access to additional resources! Lessons are aligned to Code/Art's national coding competitions.
Event Details
- Date: December 2, 2023
- Workshop 1: Animated Art with JavaScript (9:00 am to 12:00 pm ET) - https://airtable.com/appqjaoaJWhJORQFo/shrfzHtSbGGVwsTM1
- Workshop 2: Game Design with Scratch (1:00 pm to 4:00 pm ET) - https://airtable.com/appqjaoaJWhJORQFo/shrFmVZKaG6zUw3SD
- Location: Zoom
- You can register for one workshop or both!
Benefits
- $50 gift card per session *upon proof of implementation*
- 2 hours of in class TA support
Register as soon as possible. Spots are limited.
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Chris Gleason
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
This publication and previous issues are available from: Division of Academic Excellence> Teaching and Learning Team> Arts and Creativity. https://dpi.wi.gov/fine-arts/newsletter
The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, creed, age, national origin, ancestry, pregnancy, marital status or parental status, sexual orientation, or ability.
Email: christopher.gleason@dpi.wi.gov
Website: https://dpi.wi.gov/fine-arts
Location: 125 South Webster Street, Madison, WI, USA
Phone: 608-264-9554