fine arts education EXPRESSIONS

Please share this newsletter with your fellow arts educator friends and colleagues. If you're not receiving this newsletter directly, be sure to sign up for the NDE Arts Ed Mailing List.

Changing schools for next year? Be sure to update your email address.

As the year comes to close, I hope you look forward to resting and rejuvenating over the summer. Many communities across Nebraska have summer arts activities. I hope you take some time and explore the arts in your neck of the woods. Don't forget to share these with your own family and your school families.

Here's just a few to get you started: Omaha Summer Arts Festival, HEAR Grand Island Summer Concert Series, River Point Concert Series in Norfolk, Flatwater Music Festival in Hastings, Bands on Broadway in Scottsbluff, Sheldon Statewide in Falls City, Kearney Area Arts Council Concerts in the Park, Jazz on the Green in Omaha, Seward Arts Council's Summer Events and 5th Street Summer Music Series, Art Cart and Concerts at Omaha's RiverFront, Nebraska State Fair Concerts and Exhibitions, Omaha Symphony's Fourth of July Celebration, and Jazz in June in Lincoln. Also check out your local library. There's lots going on at our Nebraska public libraries!

As an art educator, do you get asked the question, “What can my child do this summer that relates to the visual arts?” The Nebraska Art Teacher Association has curated a Community Arts Opportunities webpage for families to to explore visual arts opportunities in communities around Nebraska. This resource lists organizations with visual arts classes, workshops, tours, and events for families to access visual art opportunities outside of school time

Get ready for an unforgettable journey into the world of reading and learning with NebraskaREADS Summer Reading Adventure. This packet includes a treasure trove of carefully crafted early literacy resources to make learning fun and rewarding for students and families. From exciting books to literacy activities, there’s something for everyone to enjoy! This packet is for kindergarten to third-grade students who may benefit from extra support in reading or have an Individualized Reading Improvement Plan (IRIP). Our goal is to make learning an enjoyable adventure for every student. Visit NebraskaREADS to learn more.

On Thursdays mornings at 10 AM and 11 AM in June and July, meet Joslyn Staff at the RiverFront for Art JAM in the Park, weekly art-making activities. Look for the fun near 13th and Farnam in Omaha. Check out The Joslyn's new website for more information.

Staff are also excited to welcome you back to The Joslyn when the museum reopens on September 10, 2024!

Artificial Intelligence is redefining education. NDE and ESUCC invite you and your colleagues to attend Future Ready Nebraska's 2024 Conference, "Advancing Education in the Era of AI," June 10 and 11, 2024. Keynote presenters and featured speakers, Amanda Bickerstaff, Jamie Donnelley, Kristen Mattson, and Eric Curtis (Control Alt Achieve) offer their insight and expertise on tech integration and the use of AI in education. Nebraska Future Ready's Conference also includes strands for administrators and technology, elementary and secondary educators, media specialists, and Canvas users.

Register Now! The Future Ready Nebraska Conference is a hybrid conference. Join us in-person at the NDE Offices in Lincoln (limited availability) or remotely, from wherever you may be.

The Nebraska High School Theater Academy celebrates the power of the arts and supports high school and middle school theater programs across Nebraska. Students, teachers, and schools from across the state will be honored at this year's Tony Awards® inspired showcase on Thursday, June 13, 2024, at 7:30 PM at the Orpheum Theater. You're invited to check out this year's award winners on the NHSTA website and come celebrate their achievements! For more information visit TicketOmaha.

Calibraska summer registration is open! Workshops and courses cover a range of topics from animation, storyboarding, visual storytelling, 3D modeling, music videos, and FREE virtual workshops with Nickelodeon Animation. All are taught by industry professionals!

Calibraska is on the ground June 3rd - July 26th in Lincoln, Kearney, Scottsbluff, North Platte, and Wayne. Offerings are for all ages and scholarships are available.

Apply now for a chance to receive $750 funding for your club or organization to explore Nebraska virtually through NDE's Walk 2 Unlock Nebraska. The virtual trails on W2UN offer checkpoints that feature overviews of various Nebraska sights, as well as hands-on activities to engage participants and enhance their experience. From exploring MONA & Willow Point Gallery and Museum to learning about the history and culture of Nebraska, each checkpoint provides a unique and interactive experience for users. The mini-grant can be used to enhance your virtual trail experience or increase youth physical activity. Learn more and sign up at walk2unlock.ne.gov.

The Institute for Holocaust Education, along with its partners, is presenting a Holocaust Education Workshop on Monday, June 3, 2024, from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM in Omaha. This free in-service introduces educators to resources for teaching about the Holocaust to help them build their students’ content knowledge, empathy, and critical thinking skills. Educators will learn about primary sources and other resources they can integrate into their curriculum. This workshop is open to all content areas that incorporate Holocaust education in their teaching or those who seek to incorporate Holocaust education in the future. The afternoon session will feature Not Too Far Distant, a theatrical piece written by BLIXT Art Lab's Becky Boesen.

Visit the International Quilt Museum (IQM) during East Campus Discovery Days for FREE on Saturday, June 8, 2024! Come for free admission and a free art project for all ages from 10 AM to 4 PM. Special guests from the Asian Community and Cultural Center will also be part of the celebration.

MONA is preparing for its reopening! Interested to see what's coming? View this video to see the future of MONA. Bring your kids to MONA beginning Spring 2025. Miles to MONA will be available to assist with transportation expenses. Visit MONA's website or call (308) 865-8559 for more information.

Omaha Metro Transit is once again inviting area student artists to share their artwork for a chance to see it rolling across town on a 35-foot bus. Area middle school and high school students are invited to submit original hand drawn or digital designs that celebrate Omaha while highlighting the benefits public transit brings to the community. Those selected will see their artwork become a bus wrap. Visit Metro Transit's Wheel Appeal website to learn more.

If you are moving schools, or changing positions, be sure to update your email. That way you won't miss out on arts education updates next year.

Are you retiring? First off all, CONGRATULATIONS! You're welcome to change your email to a personal email so you can stay connected with arts ed in Nebraska.

Nebraska Arts Council grant applications for the 2024-25 school year are now open. The Artists in Schools/Communities grant program covers costs for NAC rostered teaching artists. Applications are due at least six weeks in advance. School Bus Arts grants cover costs associated with field trips to professional arts exhibits or performances. Applications are due at least four weeks in advance. Please contact the Nebraska Arts Council with any questions by emailing nac.info@nebraska.gov.

Information from Nebraska's Arts Education Organizations is provided as a resource and is not an endorsement of the NDE.

The Great Plains Orff Chapter (GPOC) is hosting a FREE summer workshop at the University of Nebraska-Kearney on Saturday, June, 1, 2024, from 10 AM to 2 PM. The workshop will feature a day of music making with presentations from members of the GPOC board. Topics include strategies for introducing ukulele, utilizing children's literature in a music lesson unit, models for leading improvisation with students, and process teaching of a piece of music from the Orff volumes.

For more information on this workshop and future events at GPOC's Workshops Page.

Save the date! The Midwestern Division of the American Organization of Kodály Educators will host their fall conference in Omaha, October 18-20, 2024. The conference will feature a children's choir conducted by Dr. Kati Cox, a variety of teacher sessions, and two featured presenters Dr. Leigh Ann Garner and folk dance expert, Sue Hulsether! Visit MKMEA's website for more information.

The Nebraska Art Teachers Association (NATA) champions art education across Nebraska through creative growth and innovation and offers tools and resources for high-quality visual arts, design, and media arts education.

NATA is planning for the 2024 Fall Conference in McCook, NE, October 11-12, 2024. McCook has a Certified Creative District recognized by the Nebraska Arts Council. The conference will offer many opportunities for visual art educators to learn, network, and celebrate the work they do daily with Nebraska learners.

The Nebraska Music Education Association (NMEA) provides continuing education opportunities, recognition, and scholarships for music educators, as well as performance opportunities for students.

NMEA will host a Summer Elementary Workshop on July 8, 2024, from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm at the University of Nebraska-Kearney. This one-day workshop will be led by Amy Abbott and will focus on Kodály in the elementary classroom. Registration is now open.

Save the date for the annual NMEA conference/clinic and All-State ensembles, November 20-22, 2024, in Lincoln.

The Nebraska State Bandmasters Association (NSBA) will host the NSBA Young Band Director’s Bootcamp on Friday, June 28, 2024, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM at Papillion La Vista South High School in Papillion. This is open to all music ed students and directors in their first 5 years, and costs nothing to participants! A great group of clinicians is lined up and ready to share their knowledge with you. Visit NSBA's website to learn more.

It's not too early to start thinking about the 2024 Marching Season. The NSBA Marching Schedule is out. Registration is currently open.

High School theatre students are invited to come and learn more about being leaders in their program at the Nebraska Thespians Leadership Retreat August 10, 2024, at Millard West High School.

The Nebraska Thespian Festival is January 2-4, 2025, at the Holland Center and Hilton in Downtown Omaha. Applications to present a show at the festival are now open. Registration for the festival will open in September. Email board@nebstatethespian.com for more information.

Nebraskans for the Arts (NFTA) advocates for the arts and education in Nebraska. NFTA is seeking arts educators to collaborate on projects, send resources, receive feedback, and build relationships with people most influential in supporting the arts and arts education in Nebraska. Contact NFTA's new Executive Director, Lance at lance@nebraskansforthearts.org, to learn more about NFTA, become involved, or join the mailing list.

Nebraskans for the Arts is proud to announce the creation Strengthening the Arts in School and Community, a workshop that can be brought to your school district, organization, or ESU. This workshop helps arts educators set goals, make action plans, and find support for where they want to take the arts education program at their school. Contact lance@nebraskansforthearts.org

for more information.

Do you know of another organization not listed? If so, have them contact Cody at cody.talarico@nebraska.gov.

• ESU Professional Development Staff, District Supervisors, Department Chairs, and Organization Leadership: Please send this information to the fine arts teachers in your service area, district, or organization.
• Fine Arts Teachers: Please share with your colleagues and friends.
• If you're receiving this newsletter from someone else and want to receive it directly, be sure to sign up to be on the NDE Arts Education mailing list. You'll receive newsletters, invitations to events, and special announcements.

Let's connect and work together for all kids in Nebraska to have access and opportunities in arts education.

• Sign Up to be on the NDE Fine Arts Education mailing list. You'll receive newsletters, invitations to events, and special announcements.
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• Find out more about Fine Arts Education in Nebraska and view past editions of the NDE Fine Arts Expressions Newsletter.

500 South 84th Street, Lincoln, NE 68510-2611

Mailing: PO Box 94987, Lincoln, NE 68509-4987

Email: cody.talarico@nebraska.gov

Website: education.ne.gov/finearts
Phone: 402.314.7822
X: @NDE_FineArts

Links to third-party websites do not constitute an endorsement of the content, viewpoint, accuracy, opinions, policies, products, services, or accessibility of the sites.

Decisions about curriculum and instructional materials are made locally by individual school districts and classroom teachers. The Nebraska Department of Education does not mandate the curriculum used within a local school. The digital tools shared in this newsletter are shared with teachers to increase their knowledge on how the application or site could be used in the classroom. Students should only use digital tools and resources, and only those tools and resources, that have been approved by the teacher’s school district for student use.

Pictures from prexels.com (no attribution required), taken at professional learning sessions, or provided by the school or organization and used with permission. Organization logos used with permission.