So what can school principals and teacher do to strengthen their art programs?
 

The Art Education Partnership developed a guide for principals and teachers, What School Leaders Can Do To Increase Arts Education, which offers specific steps to take to ensure that every student receives quality arts learning opportunities. This guide offers three concrete actions with supporting tactics to help principals increase arts education:
 

A. Establish a school-wide commitment to arts learning

B. Create an arts-rich learning environment

C. Rethink the use of time and resources
 
Principals can tap into a variety of resources for the above steps including partnering with the local arts community or art organizations such as KidzArt. As the AEP guide emphasizes, partnerships can offer comprehensive, culture-rich programs and ensure continuity so that students’ arts experiences are consistent, lasting and impactful.
 

This guide recommends using the arts to reinforce in-school learning during after school hours. Whether after school arts efforts are paid from the school’s budget, grant funded or parent paid, the supplemental instruction and activities will aid in each student enjoying a more meaningful education.
 

Download a copy of the guide here.

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-Google Art Project- Check out this site for online access to thousands of pieces of art at museums worldwide. Google has collaborated with famous museums around the world to create online ” walking tours” to view their collections. For educational purposes, descriptions of the art, artists’ bios and other information is offered.
 

-Art Education 2.0- Helping art educators explore the use of new technologies through forums, chats, etc., this site’s motto is “connecting art educators around the globe”. Great place to seek out new ideas and get feedback from other art professionals.
 

- YouTube for Schools- YouTube now provides access to free educational videos via YouTube EDU, which come from organizations like PBS, TED, and Stanford.  YouTube for Schools is helping teachers use video in their classrooms in more innovative ways.

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Here’s a great example that Adora uses to illustrate how uninhibited imaginations of kids can help adults. The Museum of Glass in Tacoma Washington, has a program called “Kids Design Glass”. The Museum has said that they’ve gotten some of their best ideas from the children in this program because they don’t think about limitations or how hard it is to blow glass in certain shapes. Kids challenged the glass artists to go beyond and into the realm of designs like Broken Hearted Snakes and Bacon Boys with Meat Vision and other whimsical designs that are not reminiscent of any blown glass I’ve ever seen!
 

And, as a parent and teacher, I find this quote from Adora especially prescient: “Adults often underestimate kid’s abilities. We love challenges, but when expectations are low– trust me– we will sink to them.”
 

Watch Adora’s presentation here.

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David Adjaye

In 2012, KidzArt summer camp will be honoring present day artists who have impressed us with their notable works. From architects to sculptors, designers and painters, our goal is to introduce KidzArt students to a variety of living artists and show what they contribute to society. We’ll delve into each artist’s background, what inspires them and what they love most about their work. We’ll be encouraging students to mimic the works of these famous artists.

Meet David Adjaye, one of our featured artists. He is a London-based architect who has designed buildings such as the Smithsonian Institution’s new National Museum of African American History and Culture, scheduled to open in Washington in 2015.

KidzArt students will not only be learning about this inspiring artist, but they will also be learning about construction and principles through the introduction of several books: Construction Zone by Sobol and Hudson, A Year at a Construction Site by Nicholas Harris and How a House is Built by Gail Gibbons. Then using a set of craft sticks or interlocking “smart sticks”, each student will have the opportunity to build their own architectural form—learning about construction hands-on!

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“We’re trying to make kids healthy.”

This is one of the goals of Linda Shaw, executive director of KidzArt Charlotte in North Carolina. As the very first KidzArt franchisee who is in her 11th year of business, Linda has already met many of her goals but continues to set more related to helping local children.

“We want all kids to have fun with art. KidzArt is for everyone, even those who think they can’t draw,” says Shaw.

According to Linda, KidzArt is more about teaching life skills than anything else. Learning to draw involves children solving problems, envisioning their options and trying new things. She teaches them the KidzArt philosophy: there are no mistakes in art and don’t compare.

With eight instructors as part of her team, Linda looks for teachers who are inspired by meaningful work and have confidence. She still teaches classes herself and offers her instructors advice on all aspects of teaching. With a continued emphasis on quality, Linda’s team seeks to “wow” the students and their parents with the unique KidzArt method and the great results.

Parents play a important role in the KidzArt experience. Linda lets parents know about the brainstorming process each child experiences in her class and how each child is encouraged to make an art project their own. Teaching them to unleash their individual creativity and not copy, compare or feel inferior is essential.

One parent whose son took KidzArt classes for four years, was so impressed with Linda and KidzArt she purchased her own KidzArt franchise. Jill Long took over part of Linda’s territory and currently serves the South Charlotte area.

Since 2000, Linda and her team have taught over 4000 students in Charlotte and the surrounding areas.  She looks forward to increasing that number as she continues to offer after school classes at local elementary schools, private schools and community centers.

Learn more about Linda at http://www.kidzartncsc.com/ or

http://www.facebook.com/pages/KidzArt-Charlotte/114231729373

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Further International Expansion

Responding to an increase in demand for children’s creative educational services globally, KidzArt/Art Innovators added four new international franchise partners to our enterprise. Saudi Arabia, Malta, Canada and the Philippines are now part of our growing list of worldwide locations. People around the world recognize that children with creative thinking skills possess a mindset that will thrive in our fast-changing world and KidzArt/Art Innovators is pleased to lead the charge on this endeavor.

Early Art Ed in Demand

KidzArt/Art Innovators saw the demand for our Squiggles to Grins program double in 2011. Squiggles to Grins is, at first look, an art class for an adult (mom, dad or caregiver) with a child from the age of 2 – 3 1/2. Yet on second look you see a structured class that concentrates on sensorimotor skill development through fun movement, music, songs and touch of varying art textures.

Squiggles curriculum helps students acquire intellect, knowledge, focus, and skill sets they will need in school. The various segments of the 45 minute to 1 hour class, by design, help students hold and expand attention time, thoughts, and actions. School readiness skills are also enhanced through the socialization and interaction within that fun group. All of this leads to an improved kindergarten experience.

In 2012, KidzArt/Art Innovators looks forward to continuing to build on our strengths and expand our marketplaces to bring art to children everywhere.

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Is your child in tune with the artwork of Van Gogh, Rembrandt or Andy Warhol? In the name of art education and as a great teaching tool, try introducing your youngster to some great artists and their works.

As budding artists, it’s important for children to become familiar with different art styles and techniques. What better way than to show them master pieces of famous artists?

Learning about and copying art methods can be both fun and inspirational for kids of all ages. “Hands on” work and imitation can be a good approaches to learning and understanding. By performing art activities related to an artist, children can practice their observation, critical thinking and creative skills.

To help you get started, here are two books that not only introduce artists and their works but also offer games and activities that encourage children to learn by doing.

Discovering Great Artists by Mary Ann Kohl and Kim Solga

13 Artists Children Should Know by Angela Wenzel

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Candy Sleighs

photo by TasteTester

Ingredients

• 24 fun-size Nestle crunch bars ( any other fun size bar will work)
• 48 miniature candy canes
• 48 gummy bears
• 1 cup chocolate chips

Directions

1. Unwrap candies and have ready, you will need to work quickly.
2. Place chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl and microwave on 50% or mediumin 30 second intervals stirring between each interval, until chocolate is thoroughly melted.
3. Use melted chocolate to attach candy canes onto the sides of the the candy bar to create a sleigh.
4. Attach gummy bears sitting on the top of the candy bar with the melted chocolate.

Snowman Pops

photo by 5hungrykids

Ingredients

• 32 large marshmallows ( 1 bag)
• 1 lb almond bark ( white)
• 16 sturdy wooden skewers ( long)
• 1 cup white icing
• food coloring

Directions

1. Place two marshmallows on the flat end of each of the 16 skewers. Do not pierce all of the way thru the top marshmallow. Be sure the pointed end of the skewer is down and not inside the marshmallows!
2. Break almond bark into chunks. Place into micro safe bowl & cook 1 minute in the microwave. Stir. Continue microwaving 30 seconds at a time until melted. Stir each time.
3. Dip the skewers into the melted almond bark. Roll until well covered. Let dry.
4. Color the icing in desired colors and pipe on or decorate with eyes, a carrot nose, mouth, and a scarf or buttons. Let dry completely before proceeding to arrange or wrap.

Source: www.Food.com

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1. Specialty Drawing Paper

Kids love to draw on paper in unique colors and textures.  Try Scratch Art, Folia rainbow paper, Mulberry paper, Acetate(transparent) or simply card stock in cool colors.

2.  An Artist Portfolio

Give your artist a place to collect or organize his/her masterpieces.  A sturdy portfolio will protect artwork and also give it a showcase.

3. Chalk Pastels

A large set of chalk pastels will let your artist experiment with chalk’s unique texture in a vast variety of colors. 

4. Hard Bound Sketchbook

Sketchbooks come in various sizes and shapes and are reasonably priced. The bound books offer long term protection of your artist’s creations.

5. Air Dry Clay

Natural air dry clay dries hard without a kiln or oven. It’s easy to use and clean up.

There are many more materials and mediums that all promising artists will enjoy experimenting with.  Happy gift giving!

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According to the Small Business Administration, over the past 20 years, 65 percent of net new jobs have been created by the nation’s small businesses. By spending money at your locally owned stores and businesses, you can help the sector that’s been hit the hardest by the recession.

American Express is enticing consumers to buy local by offering a one-time $25 statement credit when you register an eligible American Express Card and use it to make a purchase of $25 or more on Saturday.

So be a patron of small independent stores and don’t forget about all the service based businesses. Businesses, like your local KidzArt, have gift certificates for unique products and services that might have you going back regularly!

The hope is that Small Business Saturday will create a general awareness of locally owned businesses that will elevate sales both on the 26th and throughout the holiday season.

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