2015-300-E Arts - The ArtsCenter Arts Grant

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DocuSign Envelope ID:220566FB-947D-468C-B639-17D506BDD642 OCAC Spring 2015 Arts Program Grant Application The ArtsCenter: 2015-2016 Focus School Program higher levels of student engagement during and following residencies. Furthermore, many teachers reported that students who normally struggled academically excelled during the residencies and scored much higher on the assessments compared to others administered in class. In addition, several teachers commented that there were much higher levels of engagement among students during residencies, especially with students who normally have behavior difficulties. The benefits to children experiencing high exposure to the arts have been well documented. In 2013, the National Endowment for the Arts released its report,The Arts and Achievement in At-Risk Youth: Findings from Four Longitudinal Studies, providing the results of 4 longitudinal studies that demonstrate the positive impact of arts education on children with low socioeconomic status (SES). Relevant examples of achievements among low-SES students include: • Eighth graders who had high levels of arts engagement from kindergarten through elementary school showed higher test scores in science and writing than did students who had lower levels of arts engagement over the same period. • Students who had arts-rich experiences in high school were more likely than students without those experiences to complete a calculus course. Also, students who took arts courses in high school achieved a slightly higher grade-point average (GPA) in math than did other students... [and] students who had arts-rich experiences in high school showed higher overall CPAs than did students who lacked those experiences. Through the Focus Program, students explore and study curriculum in new and exciting ways. Allowed to look at ideas from different angles, students grasp concepts they may have not previously understood.This builds students' self-confidence, allows them to identify their personal learning styles, and fosters academic growth. In addition, students who have limited opportunities to experience the arts are able to work closely with professional teaching artists and see live shows at a local theater, which gives them new avenues to explore creativity and diversity. Classroom teachers also participate in professional development workshops where they learn new strategies for using the arts as a vehicle for instruction. Classes participating in the Focus Program are also invited to attend a School Show at The ArtsCenter free of charge (tickets for the public are$7 per person). These shows draw from all areas of the performing arts, are multicultural, and connect directly to curriculum (see attached 2014-2015 School Shows poster). Many shows teach about specific historical events or introduce students to different cultures through storytelling, dance and song.The 2015-2016 season will focus on local and regional performers, shows with an emphasis on S.T.E.A.M. subjects, anti-bullying, and multicultural and bilingual performances.The Artist Residencies are linked directly to these School Show performances. For each grade attending a performance,teachers are asked to identify curriculum goals and the art form they'd like to work with.The School & Family Performances Coordinator pairs a qualified, experienced Teaching Artist (TA) with each classroom. The TA meets with the classroom teachers to design a 5-day residency that will address curriculum connections while engaging students in creative gestures (see attached Lesson Plan). In 2014-2015,art forms have included puppet-making and performance, dance and creative movement, music,fiber arts, and ceramics. In addition,the TA is able to prepare students to attend a performance at The ArtsCenter. For many students, this performance marks their first performing arts experience! The ArtsCenter respectfully requests$1,500 from the Orange County Arts Commission to be used for Artist Fees and materials for the 2015-2016 Focus School Program. 2