[DOE-Arts] ARTS NEWSLETTER #18

[Nestor, Argy]

ARTS NEWSLETTER #18 - 16 October 2007
GREETINGS FROM ARGY'S CUBBY with a view of the STATE HOUSE DOME at the
Department of Education

ARTS NEWS
The most magnificent news is about the state-wide arts education
conference          
			AT THE CREATIVE CENTER
THE ARTS IN MAINE SCHOOLS
that was held on October 5 and 6th at the Samoset Resort in Rockport.
Three hundred educators attended and I am sorry to say that we turned
away another two hundred.  Some of the highlights:
o	Welcome by Commissioner Susan Gendron and First Lady Karen
Baldacci
o	Keynote by CT Arts Consultant, Scott Shuler
o	54 varied and dynamic workshops
o	Farnsworth Art Museum reception with performances by Karen
Montanaro and Camden Hill High School students
o	Downeast Brass Quintet and Planet Pan steel drums performances
o	Eric Hopkins' moving presentation
o	Opportunities to network with old friends and meet new people
o	Presentations on the Census project, the 21st Century proposal
and Maine Learning Results (more on these later in newsletter)
o	Exhibitors
o	Door prizes and fun for everyone
Anonymous quotes from conference participants:
o	" I made many personal and professional connections that have
reenergized my commitment to arts education. The amount of resources and
information was phenomenal". 
o	 "I come back with so many great ideas and inspirational words-
I am definitely charged up and ready to go again!" 
o	"It was such a pleasure to present to such tremendous educators.
I truly enjoyed the day---presenting, meeting with other teachers, key
note speaker, and going to Session I and II---"
o	"...without a doubt, and without exaggeration, this was the
single BEST conference I have ever attended.  Having the chance to get
together with other passionate arts people was especially powerful, I
think, because most of us work in isolation and are often seen as
"fringe" teachers.  This weekend put us in the center."
o	"I cannot thank you enough for bringing in Eric Hopkins as the
closing keynoter.  Not only is his artwork amazing and powerful, but
also the heartfelt narrative that accompanied his slides hit me, full
on, in my core.  I was in tears at the end, and I could barely breathe
from the internal impact of his message.  What an incredible person, and
an inspiring, important message to end the weekend on.  Thank you for
putting in front of us a man with such beautiful, awe-inspiring, natural
gifts and with a refreshing "lens" on life.  If only all DOE conferences
could have the same resonance."
o	"I certainly agree with Rob Westerberg's assessment of this as
"a landmark event"."
o	"I left feeling energized, the brain and the body were working
again.  Some "lightbulbs" went on at the end while watching and
listening to PLANET PAN. I saw a coach and players in a game. I'm sure
this realization is probably nothing new, but it hit me - We really are
a great group of people and are  an essential part of a child's life."
Thank you to the presenters who gave of their time, thanks to those who
attended and the emails of support that followed.  The conference
planning committee did an incredible job during the last several months.
A HUGE NOTE OF APPRECIATION FOR THEIR HOURS OF WORK AND PASSIONATE
DEDICATION THEY BROUGHT TO THE CONFERENCE...
o	Maine Alliance for Arts Education: Carol Trimble, Susan Potters
and Elizabeth Watson
o	Maine Music Educators: Mike Davis and Laura Artesani 
o	Maine Art Education Association: Suzanne Goulet and Shalimar
Poulin
o	VSAarts of Maine: Rachel Spatz
o	Dance Educators of Maine: Erma Colvin
o	Maine Drama Council: Doug Clapp and Rick Osann
The evaluations are still being collated.  If you have any comments on
the conference, ideas for the future or would like to help future
professional development opportunities, please contact me
argy.nestor at maine.gov

NEWSLETTER
WOW.... this electronic arts education newsletter is going to 540
readers.  This is an increase of 12 from the last newsletter.  If you
are interested in reviewing back issues of the newsletter click on:
http://mailman.informe.org/pipermail/doe-arts/
I know there many new teachers so please ask them to contact me
argy.nestor at maine.gov so they can receive the news.

MAINE LEARNING RESULTS - CHAPTER 132
The Maine State Board of Education met last week and unanimously
approved the comprehensive Learning Results:  Parameters for Essential
Instruction.  This document (Maine Department of Education Regulation
132) is in essence the replacement for the 1997 MLR (the purple book)
and includes the Visual and Performing Arts segment of the Maine
Learning Results.  Anita Bernhardt gave a short presentation at the
state-wide arts education conference and participants were asked to give
feedback and ask questions about the VPA segment.  To download the last
revisions from 08/16/07 please click on
http://www.maine.gov/education/lres/review/peigr.html


STATE-WIDE ARTS EDUCATION CENSUS PROJECT
At the conference, researcher and author, Dr. Dennie Palmer Wolf gave an
overview of the three-year census project that begins this fall.  Dr.
Wolf is the director of the Anneberg Institute for School Reform at
Brown University and lead consultant on Maine's census project.
Information will be collected to learn about Maine's arts education
programs.  Please read the attached document to learn more.  At the
state-wide arts conference participants were asked to give feed-back on
the questionnaire.  NJ just completed a census and their information is
posted at http://www.artsjournal.com/artfulmanager/main/074140.php

21ST CENTURY EDUCATION
On Sept. 27th Commissioner Gendron invited leaders from throughout Maine
for an educational summit. The summit was called "Refining Our Vision
for Maine's Secondary Education Forum on 21st Century Skills".  Leaders
from the arts education community attended to learn about the proposal
and give feedback.  This information was shared at the state-wide arts
education conference and feedback was collected.  The attached power
point is a shortened version (from Sept. 27th) for you to review.  Your
feedback is appreciated so please fill out the attached "feedback form"
and send it to me by Friday, October 19th argy.nestor at maine.gov Please
keep in mind that this is a proposal.

INTERESTED IN TRAVELING TO JAPAN AT NO COST?
The Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund (JFMF) Teacher Program is seeking
educators to apply for an all expense three-week trip to Japan during
'08.  If selected you would travel to Japan with other US educators and
learn about the educational system, culture and history.  You would
visit schools, see Japanese performances, and have a short family stay.
I participated in 2000 and urge you to apply and would be glad to answer
your questions.  You can seek more information and apply on line at
www.iie.org/jfmf - the deadline is December 10th.

CONFERENCES
o	"Crossroads for Community Arts" conference: Thursday, October
18th in downtown Lewiston. This is the first conference for Community
Arts field in recent memory.  For more information please go to
www.fiveriversartsalliance.org <http://www.fiveriversartsalliance.org/> 
o	"Too Cool For School?" conference: Saturday, October 27th at
Cony High School, Augusta, 8-2:00. The Maine Council for English
Language Arts (MCELA) is the hosting the annual event.  If you have
questions, please contact Patsy Dunton at patsy.dunton at maine.gov For
more information please go to http://www.usm.maine.edu/smp/meetings.htm 
o	"No Citizen Left Behind" one-day conference, two different
locations,  Thursday and Friday, November 1st and 2nd.  For more
information please go to
http://www.maine.gov/education/calendar/calendar-full.shtml
	
o	"Juice: Powering the Creative Economy" conference: November 16th
and 17th in Rockland and Camden.  For more information please go to
www.juiceconference.org
	
PORTA PORTAL
Interested in looking at a variety of websites on many different arts
related topics?  Please check out my Porta Portal.  I recently added
several sites and categories.  It is filled with websites of arts and
education resources and continues to be a 'work in progress'.  Please
feel free to use it as a guest by going to http://portaportal.com  On
the right side of the screen under the words "Guest Access" type in:
meartsed. 

MAINE ART TEACHERS FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM
Design an individualized course of study that will provide you the
opportunity to immerse yourself in your creative work.  This opportunity
is sponsored by the Maine Alliance for Arts Education and the Maine
Community Foundation.  Potential applicants must call MAAE between now
and November 16th to discuss your idea.  Please find more information on
the MAAE website http://www.maineartseducation.org/

MAINE ARTS COMMISSION
o	The Maine Arts Commission is the sponsor of the Poetry Out Loud
contest for high school students. Please find the information at
http://mainearts.maine.gov/organizations/education/PoetryOutloud.shtml
		If you have questions please contact Tina Mann
tina.p.mann at maine.gov 
o	Paul Faria, Arts in Education Associate, is on medical leave.
If you'd like to send Paul a card, please contact me for his mailing
address.

MAINE STATE LIBRARY
Recently the Maine State Library was presented a request proposal to
purchase the annual portfolio from Hand Papermaking journal.  The
collection contains 20 artists' works, statements and explanations of
techniques and processes of calligraphy on handmade paper.  Please
contact the state coordinator louise.hinckley at maine.gov if you think
this art resource would be of value to you in your teaching.  If you
have questions please contact Chris Higgins, art teacher, Cony High
School at chiggins at augustaschools.org

TEACH VISUAL ART?
o	The Farnsworth Art Museum is currently looking for art educators
for our
	upcoming art camps.  Instructors will work with students age
7-11 during
	vacation weeks in February and April.  Interested art educators
should
	contact the Education Department at 207-594-4299 for more
information or
	email Erin Brainerd at ebrainerd at farnsworthmuseum.org
o	Bangor School Department is looking for a ceramic artist to work
with 
	   PreK- grade 3 students.  If interested or you'd like more
information please
	   contact Wendy Libby wlibby at bangorschools.nte

OPPORTUNITY
Recently a letter was forwarded to me describing a non-profit
organization that has just received funding to expand their work into
Maine.  I looked at the website http://www.donorschoose.org and you
might want to as well.  They are dedicated to addressing the scarcity
and inequitable distribution of learning materials and experiences in
public schools.  You can apply for funds or it might be of interest for
a community service project.

DANCER
Jessamyn Schmidt is passionate about dance and movement. She is
available to teach, perform and choreograph.  She has had experience
teaching modern dance, improvisation, creative movement, jazz, Flamenco,
and African to movers of all ages in a variety of settings including
local studios, preschools, high schools, and universities.   Currently,
Jessamyn resides in Portland and teaches at University of Southern Maine
and New Dance Studio.  For more information, please visit
http://mainearts.maine.gov/directory/directory.asp and search "Jessamyn
Schmidt".

WORKSHOPS
Rebecca Goodale will be teaching a one day workshop in Freeport on
Saturday,
October 20th.  Cost will be $95.00 which includes all materials.  For
more information please contact cat at studioonthehill.biz or call Cat at
865-0605.

MAYHEM POETS
Opportunities are still available for the Mayhem Poets to work in the
schools on November 16th and potentially on November 15th if there is
enough interest.  For more information please contact Barri Lynn Moreau
barri.lynn.moreau at juno.com

QUOTE OF THE NEWSLETTER
African proverb: "A single bracelet does not jingle".

Make it a great day,
Argy
Argy Nestor
Visual and Performing Arts Specialist
Maine Department of Education
23 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0023
207-624-6825
fax: 207-624-6821
argy.nestor at maine.gov

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