Arts Education in pre-production
For the past couple of seasons, we’ve broadcast a special edition of Oregon Art Beat in the spring. Like a short documentary, each one is a half hour that focuses on one topic. The first two have provided the opportunity for KC Cowan and me to dig deeper into subjects that we’re passionate about, and bring them to you. KC shared her passion for collecting art on a budget in the Art of Collecting Art. As she likes to say, you don’t have to be a rich person to own original art. In her show, she explains how to get started. I produced a half hour about public art around the state, called Everybody’s Art. It’s a look at the process of commissioning and creating public art, and what public art means to communities from Vale to Newport to Portland.
This season, the topic is Arts Education. We’re in the research phase of production right now, looking for examples of school-based arts education programs around the state. For instance, Vince Patton recently profiled a very successful kids ballroom dancing program at Forest Park Elementary. It’s a look at how learning to dance can help the kids in other areas, like schoolwork, too.
Assisted by two volunteers, Megan and Viv, I’m researching arts education in Oregon and SW Washington, and exploring why different schools are able to provide (or not provide) arts education to students. I attended an Arts Educator Congress at the World Forestry Center last Monday. This week I’m heading to PNCA for their three day conference on Children’s Creativity: Why the Visual Arts Matter. It’s an interesting time to delve into the world of arts education. I’m excited about the possibilities.The show is scheduled to air in May 2010, so I’ll keep you posted as it starts to take shape!
