fine arts education EXPRESSIONS

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Welcome to School Year 2023-2024! Whether or not you've adjusted your summer routines, here it is! Kids, teachers, administrators, and parents are all heading back to school. August has always been one of my favorite months because of the excitement, hope, and anticipation that a new school year and new adventure brings.

When working with a group of arts educators this summer, we dug into Harvard Project Zero's The Qualities of Quality. In the study, Rika Burnham quotes James Cuno saying, "when you leave a work of art you should walk away at a different angle on the world" (Seidel, et.al., 2006). As arts educators, we have an amazing capacity to help our kids explore and expand their world, their creativity, and their response and connection to the world as they experience, perform, present, or create works of music, visual art, dance, theatre, and more. In the words of Pablo Picaso, "Art washes away from the soul the dust from every day life."

I wish you all the best for a fantastic 2023-2024!

The Fine Arts Exchange is back for this fall! The Fine Arts Exchange is a way to connect arts educators with arts organizations (non-profits and state agencies) who have opportunities to extend, enhance, and enrich arts learning. The participating organizations are from all across Nebraska and offer a mix of in-person, digital, and virtual opportunities.

Over the next few weeks, you'll receive six special edition emails with the arts organizations participating in this year's Fine Arts Exchange. Most organizations have a video for you to learn about them. New this year, the event will end with an opportunity to meet with organization staff members via Zoom. Watch for your first FA Exchange email the week of August 25, 2023.

The Nebraska Department of Education and Nebraska Arts Council are excited to announce their partnership to bring the Arts NOW Grants to Nebraska's public schools.

Arts NOW Grants are for arts education projects in Nebraska schools. This special grant program will only be available for SY 2023-2024. Arts NOW is a competitive grant program supporting arts education projects that help students in grades K through 12 achieve artistic excellence while implementing Nebraska's Fine Arts Standards.

Each school district in Nebraska is invited to submit one application describing their project and the impact it will have on their students and arts education in their school. Public schools districts may apply in one of three funding tiers based on the number of students impacted.

We, at NDE and NAC, are excited to offer support to our Nebraska schools, arts educators, and kids who learn and participate in arts education programs. Arts NOW Grants differ from other NAC grants as this grant program provides allowability to schools districts to purchase items to enhance arts instruction that can be used for the arts education grant project. Together, NDE and NAC can't wait to see the many different projects that can strengthen arts education in Nebraska and provide even greater arts learning experiences for young Nebraskans. That's why the program has been titled, "Arts NOW!"

Check out the Arts NOW Grant Program Announcement for more information. Complete program details are available on the Arts NOW Grant Program Page of the NDE Fine Arts Education Website. The application deadline is Friday, October 13, 2023, at 11:59 PM CT.

Discover free, interactive videoconferences to support teaching art, history, critical thinking, and creativity skills. Check out the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Artful Connections program for descriptions of eleven topics and scheduling information.

Searching for a great reading resource to extend or add to your lessons? Check out the International Quilt Museum on ReadWorks.

ReadWorks is a easy-to-use app created to improve reading comprehension at any age, and is free for educators. The International Quilt Museum’s articles published on ReadWorks are all about quilting in relationship to math, social studies, and multicultural education. Teachers can pair them with various topics or lessons.

Walk 2 Unlock Nebraska supports the whole child, working to provide activities to support body and mind. The program features an interactive map of Nebraska. As students travel across the virtual trails, they encounter checkpoints, "stopping" to learn more about the state with lessons in agriculture, nature, historical, social studies, fine arts, and other subjects. Check out other trails for the arts integrated lessons and "virtually stop" at arts and cultural centers like the Willow Point Gallery and Museum or Pawnee Village.

Walk2Unlock Nebraska's Central Trail is launching in September. One of the checkpoints is MONA (Museum of Nebraska Art) in Kearney! We are looking to recruit schools and clubs to pilot this trail. Contact Erika for more information.

2023-24 NebraskARTS Award Application NOW OPEN! Each year, Nebraskans for the Arts honors two Nebraska schools or school districts that have supported and encouraged achievement in media arts, visual arts, dance, music, or theatre. Winners receive a special trophy, a legislative resolution, and a celebration ceremony at their location.

Applications are due on Friday, October 13, 2023, by 11:59 PM. The two winners for 2023-24 will be notified by Monday, December 11, 2023. Visit Nebraskans for the Arts for complete program information and to download the application. Nominate your school or a school you know!

All Nebraska high schools are invited to participate in Poetry Out Loud (POL). POL is a fun and dynamic way for students to learn about great poetry and compete for scholarships. This program helps students master public speaking skills and build self-confidence. Nebraska Arts Council staff is available throughout the year to assist teachers with implementing POL in their schools. What's even better? There is no charge to to participate in Nebraska's Poetry Out Loud.

Wondering what you can do with poetry? Watch Amelia E. and Tamyia B. of Bellevue West High School share their original poem that is part of the Safe2Help Nebraska.

Nebraska State Poet Matt Mason is offering half-day workshops for teachers to schools, school districts, and ESUs about teaching poetry which can be a difficult subject for both students and teachers. Matt helps teachers become more comfortable with poetry in an effort to make it easier to teach. This workshop is for elementary, middle school, and secondary teachers who work with students that are interested in the subject of poetry, including both reading and writing. Find out more on Matt's website.

The Nebraska High School Theater Academy (NHTSA) supports and celebrates theatre education across the state of Nebraska. NHTSA provides middle schools and high schools with in-person workshops, virtual workshops, and master classes with Broadway professionals that includes professional feedback on school theater performances. Participation in NHTSA gives students audition and performance opportunities, even a chance to represent Nebraska at the Broadway League's National Jimmy Awards, which is a celebration of accomplishments at a Tony Awards-inspired showcase. NHTSA provides professional development and resources for educators, opportunities for free or discounted tickets to select performances, and more! NHTSA is a program of Omaha Performing Arts. Contact the education staff for more information.

Presenting music, theater, and dance, the Lied Center for Performing Arts' 2023-2024 student matinee performances (for Pre-K through 12th grades) enhance classroom learning, expand cultural awareness, and inspire creativity in all. Performance guides are available. Contact Nancy Engen-Wedin for more information or call 402-472-4707.

In anticipation of the USDE and National Park's call for student artwork, please indicate your interest in having your students create works (most likely Christmas ornaments and possibly Easter Eggs) for 2023-2024. The program specifications stipulate only one school from Nebraska can participate. The selected school is chosen at random from all schools interested.

Congratulations to Nebraska High School Students Sunnie H., Eh Hser M., and Rowden J. who have their work on display at the U.S. Capitol as winners of the 2023 Congressional Art Competition. Representing each of Nebraska's three congressional district, the artists featured are from Bancroft-Rosealie High School, Omaha Benson High School, and Litchfield High School. Coordinated through Nebraska Art Teachers Association, be sure to watch NATA's website for information on the 2024 Congressional Art Competition.

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) offers opportunities for teachers to learn, grow, and make music together using the approach developed by composer Carl Orff and assistant Gunild Keetman.

GPOC's first workshop of the year features Laura Peterson on September 9, 2023, at UNL. For more information about GPOC events, visit their Upcoming Workshops and Socials Page.

The Nebraska Art Teachers Association (NATA) will host its 2023 Fall Conference on October 13-14 at Innovation Campus and Teachers College in Lincoln.

Participants will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the organization with two keynote addresses, several member presentations and workshops, an awards ceremony, and art educator show. Both members and non-members are welcome!

The American String Teachers Association Nebraska Chapter (NEASTA) supports string and orchestra teachers and players. NeASTA members range from budding student teachers to artist-status performers. The chapter provides teaching resources, professional education, local and national events, and access to a vibrant and collaborative strings community.

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

All music educators are invited to attend the annual NMEA Conference and In-Service Clinic in Lincoln on November 16-18, 2023. The conference features a variety of clinicians, performances, and student ensembles for elementary, middle school, and high school. NMEA Conference registration opens on September 1, 2023

The Nebraska State Bandmasters Association (NSBA) is all about "Better Bands for Nebraska." Check out their website for information on marching contests, spring convention, the Nebraska Concert Band Festival, the Jazz Band Festival, and more.

Welcome back theatre directors! Nebraska Thespians' first monthly state meeting is Wednesday, September 6, 2023, at Millard West High School in Omaha. They're also looking forward to the Nebraska Thespians State Festival on January 4-6, 2024.

Membership in Nebraska Thespians allows one to access theatre education resources, like the full EdTA lesson plan library, and gives your students more opportunities to compete and showcase their talents. Reach out to the Nebraska Thespians board members if you have any questions.

The Kodaly concept is a "sound before sight" approach to music education. Literacy skills are taught in a sequential manner that centers joy, authenticity, and children at the heart of learning and music-making.

PSKOR's fall workshop will be Saturday, October 7, 2023, at Nebraska Wesleyan University with Georgia Newlin presenting "The Subtle Art of Moving Between Singing Games and Listening Lessons." Visit PSKOR's website to learn more.

Do you know of another organization not listed? If so, have them contact Cody.

Now is the perfect time to apply for grants that benefit students in Nebraska.

• Artists in Schools and Communities provide funds for artists residencies of all kinds. Your students will love what the artists on NAC's roster have to offer.
• School Bus for the Arts Grants provide funds for transportation and admission for school students to attend professional arts events and destinations. Dream big and imagine your students’ class on the road to unforgettable arts experiences.
• For your biggest ideas, consider applying for an Arts Learning Project Grant. Programs with a strong educational emphasis may be eligible for up to $7,500 in grant funds with the potential for more for multi-school project or projects with significant outreach in multiple communities. (Deadline for this grant is October 3rd for projects taking place between January 1st and June 30th of 2024.)

Neither the Artists in Schools and Communities grants (AiS/C) nor the School Bus for the Arts grants (SBA) require matching funds, so hang up your fundraising hat and put on your thinking cap. Plan your art adventure today!

Humanities Nebraska offers grants for projects relating to humanities. Humanities include history, literature, languages, philosophy, archeology, social sciences, and more. Projects and programs where humanities is central to the project theme, take place in Nebraska, have significance to Nebraska, and that use a humanist to help audiences understand and appreciate the history and social context may be eligible.

For more information, including grant categories, eligibility, deadlines, and applications, visit Humanities Nebraska.

Explore the work of Derrick Burbul, a visual artist from Kearney, who works with photography processes. Catch his artist talk about his current exhibition of Wanderings: A Walk in the Woods at the Fred Simon Gallery at the Nebraska Arts Council.

Need some new lesson plans for your music classroom? Explore the Classroom Resources section of the Great Plains Orff Chapter for ideas from several of the organization's members.

Looking for contemporary visual artists? Originally produced in connection with PBS, The Art Assignment is an educational video series of artists and art history and ideas for your art classroom.

Learn about collaborative script writing where students identify different elements of a story, use one word improvisation, add action and circumstance using fortunately/unfortunately improvisation, and finish by writing a short scene.

Learn about the instruments of the orchestra, dig deep into instrument playing technique, or learn about conducting with resources from the Omaha Symphony's Digital Learning Library.

Ready to explore Art and AI (Artificial Intelligence)? Explore Imagine.art and discover how you and your students (with your direction and supervision) can use their visual art vocabulary, skills, and knowledge, to create digital works.

Gain professional insights into theatre instruction with Omaha Performing Art's Theater Essentials Online. Check out the video lessons on acting, dance/movement, directing, technical theater, and more.

Interested in opportunities to empower your music students to inspire them to make their learning more meaningful to them? Check out the Pass the Baton Starter Kit from music educators Theresa Hoover and Kathryn Finch.

Explore the art, architecture, and history with Art and Monuments: Honoring Memory and Service, a program offered through the Smithsonian's Center for Interactive Learning and Collaboration.

The Nebraska ESU CC's (Coordinating Council) Early Learning Library houses books, DVDs, CDs, and more to help support learning for our youngest Nebraskans.

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 however, 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.

Do you have a favorite site, app, or teaching tidbit you'd like to share? Email Cody to include your idea in the next edition of the EXPRESSIONS.

• 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 Fine 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.
• Follow Nebraska Fine Arts on Twitter at @NDE_FineArts. Use the #FineArtsEdNebraska to highlight the many amazing Fine Arts Education opportunities, events, and learning.
• 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

Arts NOW Grant Email: nde.artsedgrants@nebraska.gov
Website: education.ne.gov/finearts
Phone: 402.314.7822
Twitter: @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 however, 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 photosforclass.com (no attribution required) or provided by the school or organization and used with permission. Organization logos used with permission. Student artwork shared with permission or competition coordinator.