At VSA, Learning Is Art

Craig Hammond, 12, follows a JMU volunteer’s lead while making a fish out of clay during VSA arts, a day of crafting and activities presented by Kappa Pi, the international honorary art and art history fraternity at JMU. Photo by Pete Marovich

Excerpt from Harrisonburg's Daily News Record 4/17/08:

"Around 10 a.m., groups from Spotswood and Harrisonburg high schools, Stewart Middle School and Mountain View, Stone Spring and John Wayland elementary schools began arriving.
Kyle Simpson, 19, entered the building excited to get crafting. Because the HHS student came last year, he knew what to expect. 'It's fun!' he said, beaming.
Ten tables covered with red and white gingham cloths and adorned with balloons served as hands-on craft stations filled with activities including face painting, sculpting, macaroni jewelry, sand art, flowerpot painting and more. The students moved from station to station happily loading up their brown paper bags with each new creation.

Stone Spring high needs teacher Angela Craighead brought six students to the event, her first year participating. 'I think it's set up very nice. I like that the kids can go wherever they want and check everything out,' she said.
Working on a necklace at the macaroni station, Debbie Stevenson, 13, decided she wants to make jewelry when she gets older. "I'm having fun. You can tell by the [flower],' she said, pointing to a blue flower painted on her cheek. 'I like it.'
A couple tables down, volunteer Ava Freeburg, 17, waited for students to come to her clothespin butterfly station. The daughter of JMU faculty sponsor and coordinator of art education programs Kathy Schwartz, the HHS senior has been volunteering for VSA since eighth grade.
'It's just such a unique opportunity to be able to work with the special education kids and be able to help them,' said Freeburg. 'It's really fun for me to be able to do that.'"

Read the full article...

Virginia Quarterly Review: Young Reviewers Contest

In September 2008, VQR will hold a competition to encourage and cultivate young reviewers and critics under the age of thirty. The prize for the winning entry is $1,000, publication in the Winter 2009 issue, and a publishing contract for three additional reviews worth $3,000. Runners-up may also be offered publication in VQR (in print or online).
~ Entrants must be under the age of thirty as of the closing date of the contest, September 30, 2008.
~ Entries (one per person) should be at least 2,000 and no more than 3,500 words and should be an in-depth review of a book of fiction, poetry, or nonfiction published in the US after January 1, 2008.
~ There is no entry fee for the contest.
~ More...

"What If You Were the Designer?" Never Built Virginia Youth Design Competition

Never Built Virginia, an exhibition on display at the Library of Virginia through July 26th, 2008, focuses on the history of ambitious, very creative, and sometimes otherworldly works of architecture proposed but never constructed. In the spirit of architectural creativity, the Library of Virginia is sponsoring the "What If You Were the Designer?" Youth Design Competition.

The entry form is based on the drawing Richmond architect Haigh Jamgochian used in the design for his "never built" structure called "Tree House" prepared for a narrow lot in downtown Richmond. Entrants are asked to sketch their own concept of a building within the space shown, and to provide a brief written description of their design. Entries will be posted in an online gallery, where visitors to the site can cast their votes for their favorite design ideas.

The contest is open to Virginia residents ages 8 to 17. The deadline for submissions is Saturday, April 12, 2008, at 5:00 pm. Winners in both the junior and senior divisions will each receive a $250 savings bond and will have their entries displayed in the lobby of the Library. For more information contact Tameka Hobbs, Program and Education Coordinator, at 804.371.2126, or Susan Gilliam, Educational Assistant, at 804.692.3999.

Loudoun District Gets Front Page Coverage

Congratulations to the Loudoun district! Hope to see everyone at the performance this weekend. Select link to view article.

Expressive Arts Workshop

Exploring the ARTS in Life, Work & Community
with Jena e. Leake, M.A., R.E.A.T.
Registered Expressive Arts Therapist
Expressive arts is the interdisciplinary practice of working with all the arts visual arts, dance/movement, writing/poetry, drama, music, storytelling and imagery)to inspire creative expression, human development, healing & transformation. This experiential workshop is an opportunity to explore the arts for personal and professional growth. You will learn about the exciting field of Expressive Arts Therapy, Education & Coaching while engaging in individual and community art-making experiences that will inspire your creativity in art and life. As we dialogue with our art and each other, we will discover new ideas and resources for enlivening our personal and professional lives. This is an excellent workshop for therapists, caregivers, educators, artists and community professionals. No previous art experience necessary. Co-sponsored by Charlottesville Parks & Recreation and VSA arts of Virginia. Workshop details:
Date and time: Friday, March 7 from 10:00am until 2:00pm
Location: Tonsler Park Center, 501 Cherry Avenue, Charlottesville, VA
Register: Charlottesville Parks & Recreation 434.970.3264

All Kids Can Create

You can create, and creating leads to learning! VSA arts and CVS Caremark All Kids Can invite children and youth to submit artwork showing us your creativity. Explore new activities, challenge your perceptions, discover your inner artist and submit your work of art today!
Deadline: Friday, March 14, 2008
More information: All Kids Can Create

Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation Accepting Applications for ArtsCONNECT Program

This may be of interest to those of you working with outside presenters and workshop instructors:

Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation Accepting Applications for ArtsCONNECT Program
Deadline: March 24, 2008
The Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation ( http://midatlanticarts.org/ ) serves the states and territories of Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Virginia, and West Virginia. The foundation's ArtsCONNECT program supports collaborations among presenters to facilitate tours of artists involving all the performing arts disciplines across the mid-Atlantic region.
Only presenter consortia are eligible to apply to the program. For the purposes of the program, the foundation defines a presenter as an organization that selects and engages professional touring artists to perform work before audiences in their communities. Presenters manage all the local requirements for the performance and facilitate the interaction between artists and audiences. Producing organizations, which create artistic work or assemble artists to perform as ensembles for performances, are not eligible to apply.
Each presenter partner in the consortium must be a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization or a unit of government. The presenter consortium must include at least three presenting organizations from at least two mid-Atlantic states.
ArtsCONNECT projects must utilize professional touring artists from performing arts disciplines, including dance, music, opera, theater, jazz, and folk/traditional arts, that have been touring at least two years. At least one complementary activity (exhibitions, lecture/demonstrations, master classes, residencies, workshops, etc.) must take place as part of the tour.
ArtsCONNECT grant amounts are determined as a percentage of the contracted artist's fee (including commissioning fees, if applicable). ArtsCONNECT grants require a one-to-one cash match. Presenters must apply for a minimum of $500 per engagement.
Visit the foundation's Web site for complete program guidelines, eligibility requirements, and application procedures.
RFP Link: http://fconline.foundationcenter.org/pnd/10010973/midatlanticarts