What...Me…What...Me…Start...Continue…and...Develop Start...Continue…and...Develop

an Excellent Cultural Arts Program an Excellent Cultural Arts Program in my Kid's School??in my Kid's School??

You Bet!! You Bet!!

Trudy Cravatta-DiNardo, M.A.

PTO TODAYPhiladelphia Conference

Crowne Plaza Valley ForgeKing of Prussia, PA

May 2, 2005

Course Description

The "Arts" are the essence of great learning. Our children are being taught, and they don't realize it! Most of us believe we know what a great Cultural Arts Program is in a school setting…or do we? What are important question pertaining to an excellent Cultural Arts Program in any school?

Questions to Address

• Who should the "Arts"involve in order to bring the "best" programs for our children in our schools?

• What is an example of a "good" Cultural Arts performance?

• Where does one "look" for information about different performers?

• Where does one find the funds for such programs?

• Are there "support groups" out there for parents who want to share ideas about the "Arts"?

My Background

• Introduction to Trudy DiNardo

• Who am I?

• Why should you listen to me?

WHO should be involved?

• Parents

• Teachers

• Administrators

WHAT is a "good"Cultural Arts Program?

• Involves:

Parents

Teachers

Administrators

Curriculum Based

Entertainment Based

WHAT is a "good"Cultural Arts Performance?

• Concise and visually attractive• Involves children on many levels• Excellent teacher lesson plans• Program length ~ 45 to 60 minutes

depending on children's ages

WHERE do you find good Cultural Arts Performances?

• School Districts• Curriculum Director• Arts Director

• Principals• Mail

• Librarians• Wish lists

• PTO Organization• Chairperson of Cultural Arts

• Showcases• Arts Organizations• Friends' Experiences• Your own Experiences

Talent Agencies

• www.arts-are-essential.org

• www.baylinartists.com

• www.loydartists.com

Performers

• Local talent• Libraries and other schools

• Out of region talent

Arts Organizations

• Pennsylvania Council on the Arts• http://www.pacouncilonthearts.org/

• http://www.artscounciloferie.org/pennsylvania_partners_in_the_a.html

• http://www.innernet.net/councilforthearts

• http://www.innernet.net/councilforthearts/

• Great Valley CommunityEducation Foundation• http://www.gvcef.org/

WHERE do you get funding?

• Elementary (PTO)• Middle School (PTO)• Middle School Student Council• School District

• Ask for funds for proposed residency programs

• Use curriculum or "hot topics"

WHERE do you get funding?

• Educational Foundations• Cultural Arts Endowments• Partnership with local companies• Grant Writing

• Pennsylvania Council of the Arts, Local Companies, etc.

• Library Research• Good Old Bake Sales

DELTA DISTRICT EDUCATING AND LEARNING THROUGH THE ARTS

A Cultural Arts Support Group• Monthly meetings• By-Laws• Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, etc.• District Shows• Exchange of Information about

Authors and Performers• Block Bookings: Authors /

Performers• Guest Authors or Performers• Database for Resource Information

DELTA Database

Example Programs

• Hillside Elementary School• Valley Forge Middle School

• Pick a theme / connection to curriculum

• How much does program cost?• How much time?• How many people involved?• Related activities

Music and Storytelling

Music and Sign Language

Art: Chinese Paper Cutting

Writers and Illustrators

Puppetry

Art: VanGo!

Theatre

Math (and Science)

Cultural Exposure

Additional Websites

• State Standards - PA• http://www.pde.state.pa.us/

stateboard_ed/cwp/view.asp?A=3&Q=76716

• National Standards• http://artsedge.kennedy-center.org/teach/

standards.cfm

Long Live The Arts In Our Schools...With Our Help…

People say that children are our future. Children are not our future.

They are our present.

If we take care of the present, the future will take care of itself.