Month: February 2011

Art Collaboration and Exchange with International Schools

| artyowza
Hi Rebecca,
Do you know where I can join an international school exchange art program?
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The key benefits for students, schools and teachers
participating in this project have shown that it:
• Helps in creating learning opportunities.
• Provides the students with an opportunity for
international exchange.
• Provides teachers with an insight into new
modern teaching techniques.
• Creates a platform for sharing of artistic input,
history and culture.
• Starts new partnerships that go a long way in
educational development.
………………………………………………………………
turbinegeneration is a Unilever sponsored project that
enables schools across the world to explore
contemporary cultural issues through art. It is a way in
which schools can share ideas through a variety of
media ranging from photography, sound, video and
dance, to drama and oral stories. The aim is to enhance
student understanding of the world by encouraging
interaction and collaboration through contemporary art.
It also encourages students to consider art in the
context of literacy, geography, social studies, history
and technology. Over 120,000 children from 12
countries have taken part since the project’s inception.

Teaching the Elements of Art through Graphic Design Poster Competitons

| artyowza

I put a new poster on my door every week.

The kids would look at it throughout the day while they were passing in the hall

For example, an impressionist painting print , the word “impressionism” and a speech bubble with the words “dot. dot. dot”

I’d talk to them about the poster when they were lining up at the end of my class.
I’d quiz them to tell me how to identify that poster vs the one from the week before

If I needed to pull a “party trick” …..
I’d set it up as a contest…….. to make sure everyone was paying attention

And if I did it today —— I’d get the kids involved.
I’d have it be an idea  for the collage station……… make posters for elements of art, principles of design, ect.
or it could be a challenge for kids make posters and vote to see which poster describes the term the best and gets picked to be on the door.

This teaches the art of graphic design and is part of 21st Century Skills……. Communicate, Collaborate, Problem Solve and Innovate.

I also made bulletin boards outside my classroom…….. put up artwork and then gave out slips of paper with art terms
and had the kids pin on these “labels”  or better yet have them write out “labels” in their own handwriting
(making it into  a game)

I did this as proof of knowledge……..
told the kids that the sooner we get this done
we can get back to our real fun.

also, I’d encourage the kids to share their knowledge with the principal

21 Century Skills for Art Teacher and Principals

| artyowza

I’m working on a project about how art teachers can use entrepreneurial behavior to gain support from their communities and principals….. (21st century skills)
so with that in mind, I’ll apply some quotes toward enrolling your principal in a 21st Century Skills enhanced art program.  

You will need to engage your principal in new ways…..

 

“companies / ART TEACHERS  have only two functions: innovation and marketing. All the rest are costs.”
“Innovate and market” means “create something amazing and then go tell people about it. ”
http://www.avc.com/a_vc/2011/02/marketing-and-the-bubble.html

“ We make it a point to ‘turn’ upset customers / PRINCIPALS into happy customers and then,
evangelists. You have to bury your ego and let them beat you up as you hear them out,
then actively respond, fix their issue AND then somehow go above and beyond
to delight them. We think that makes true evangelists. *
http://www.avc.com/a_vc/2011/02/marketing-and-the-bubble.html

“Customer / PRINCIPAL  service is the best marketing ”
http://www.avc.com/a_vc/2011/02/marketing-and-the-bubble.html

“ But if a company / ART TEACHER needs marketing for the initial expression of its idea, it doesn’t really have an idea at all. ”……
(the value of  a choice-based classroom will be evident as it becomes more valuable to the students……
http://www.avc.com/a_vc/2011/02/marketing-version-20.html

Twenty-First Century Children: Critical thinking, Collaboration, Creativity and Innovation

| artyowza

Every child in the U.S. needs 21st century knowledge and skills to succeed as effective citizens, workers and leaders. This can be accomplished by fusing the three Rs and four Cs.

There is a profound gap between the knowledge and skills most students learn in school and the knowledge and skills they need in typical 21st century communities and workplaces.

To successfully face rigorous higher education coursework, career challenges and a globally competitive workforce, U.S. schools must align classroom environments with real world environments by fusing the three Rs and four Cs:

  • The three Rs include: English, reading or language arts; mathematics; science;
    foreign languages; civics; government; economics; arts; history; and geography.
  • The four Cs include: critical thinking and problem solving; communication,
    collaboration; and creativity and innovation.

As the three Rs serves as an umbrella for other subjects, the four Cs do for other skills.

 

 

via p21.org

Yeah!  I want to empasis this more in my business value.

• Critical thinking and Problem Solving

• Communication

• Collaboration

• Creativity and Innovation

 

Advice for Art Teachers – Developing Your Business

| artyowza

My career expanded when I realized that independent contract meant I as in business for myself.

I used to have a portfolio career like this also……. then I realized I wasn’t earning very much and a middleman was taking a cut — the agency I was employed by……

I figure out my financial goals  first  and develop a business  plan.

I also have consistent marketing and camp / class availability. 

 I put the dates / themes of my camps, classes on my website a year in advance  (so others can plan also)

I decided how much I wanted to work and earn per year.

Also, I analyzed what other camps and classes charged in my area.  

Most my clients are working parents with two incomes

The profit in my business supports my community volunteer work………. training parents to be art docents in our local elementary schools  (we don’t have paid art teachers here)

I teach at my carriage house studio at my house.

Fortunately, I get a lot of my materials donated.  

-Rebecca
I collect biz advice here………….

 

Art Student Reflections, Artist Statements and Visual Literacy through Video

| artyowza

I’ve recently started making videos to record artist statements.
i use my iphone so they can see and hold the screen  / i also have a flip camera

It’s engaging for small groups

 

1. the kids want to make videos— it’s entertaining and makes them feel important, seen and heard

2. they can see instantly through playback if their video is interesting or effective and get ideas and critique from their friends

3. they then have a desire to make it better or elaborate on their stories and develop the art of storytelling and exhiition

4. they enjoy watching  other kids videos…… thus enhancing learning and communication skills within our tribe

5. i learn more because i am actively  looking and thinking in a fresh way—– I witness how i’m teaching and adjust it to be more effective
http://artyowzaintern.posterous.com/city-symbols-expanded

6,  i can use the videos in my blog…… making it attractive for me to do it often  (i can e-mail them to my posterous blog)

7. it ‘s a reflection, art  project  and an artist  statement all rolled up in one activity