VOLUME 52 | ISSUE 4
A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF THE
ARIZONA COMMISSION ON THE ARTS
FEATURED NEWS
Edgardo Aguilar: 2019 AZ Poetry Out Loud State Champion
To kick off National Poetry Month we’re proud to introduce you to an exceptional young person: Arizona’s 2019 Poetry Out Loud State Champion Edgardo Aguilar. A senior at Desert View High School in Tucson, Edgardo will represent Arizona at the 2019 Poetry Out Loud National Finals in Washington, DC, April 30 – May 1, 2019.
Thanks to Vaibu Mohan, who is interning with us this semester, and her video crew, including Josh Morrison (sound), Aniwat Pluemjit (camera), and Julia Vollaro (editing), for producing this interview with Edgardo!
About the National Finals
Arizona’s State Champion Edgardo represents one of 275,00 students who participated in the Poetry Out Loud program this year! At National Finals, Edgardo will compete alongside state champions from around the nation for a $20,000 prize awarded to the Poetry Out Loud National Champion, and $10,000 and $5,000 for the second- and third-place finalists. The Poetry Foundation provides and administers all aspects of the monetary prizes awarded and travel arrangements for Poetry Out Loud.

Click here for the list of 2019 Poetry Out Loud state champions.

Both days of competition will be available through a live, one-time-only webcast at arts.gov Schools and organizations that wish to organize a viewing party of some or all of the competition can visit the registration page at arts.gov for tips on hosting a viewing party and details on other viewing parties around the country. 

You can also join the national conversation on Twitter and Instagram using #POL19.
Grants for Fiscal Year 2019 Arts Learning Projects & Partnerships
The application period for Arts Learning Collaboration (ALC) and Lifelong Arts Engagement (LAE) grants is now open.
Arts Learning Collaboration Grants
Apply by 11:59 pm, May 30, 2019
Arts Learning Collaboration Grants enhance the work of school-based arts teaching and learning programs through collaborative projects taking place in-school, after-school, or during summer/inter-session and in-services in one of the following three categories:
Planning, Professional Development, or
Student Learning
Lifelong Arts Engagement Grants
Apply by 11:59 pm, May 30, 2019
Lifelong Arts Engagement Grants support partnerships that foster meaningful arts learning experiences in community settings for learners of any age in one of the following three categories:Participant Engagement, Planning, or Professional Development
Arts Learning Collaboration Grants and   Lifelong Arts Engagement Grants are offered throughout the year on a three-deadline cycle:

CYCLE A: Apply by 11:59pm Thursday, May 30, 2019.
For projects taking place between July 1, 2019 and June 30, 2020.

CYCLE B: Apply by 11:59pm Thursday, September 5, 2019.
For projects taking place between November 1, 2019 and June 30, 2020.

CYCLE C: Apply by 11:59pm Thursday, January 31, 2019.
For projects taking place between March 1, 2020 and June 30, 2020.
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April is National Poetry Month!
It's time to celebrate poetry! The Academy of American Poets have put together a list of 30 Ways to Celebrate National Poetry Month. Take a look and see how you and your POL community would like to participate!
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Youth Voices: Activism Through Theatre
American Alliance for Theatre & Education
May 3-5, 2019 ׀ Berkeley, CA
Join organizations from across the bay area to learn from programs which bring youth at the core, whether it’s in demanding space for youth voice, performance, leadership positions, and those that move towards activism. Attendees will pick up practices that can be applied to their own communities, that operate for, by, and with the youth education programs serve.
National VSA Intersections: Arts and Special Education Conference
October 25-28, 2019 ׀ Irvine, CA
The 2019 National Conference, hosted in partnership with the Orange County Department of Education, will take place in Irvine, CA, and is the first VSA Intersections conference to take place at its new time of year. The Kennedy Center will host a smaller regional conference March 2019 in New Orleans, LA. This smaller version of the national conference will offer practitioners more opportunity to engage with arts and special education content.
2019 Arts Education Partnership Annual Convening
September 11-12, 2019 ׀ Alexandria, VA
AEP Annual Convenings explore the latest research, innovative practices and emerging policy approaches to actively support the role and contribution of the arts in preparing all students for success. From panel discussions and keynote remarks to concurrent sessions and networking opportunities, this event provides attendees with knowledge and tools for advancing their work and building broader and stronger connections for the arts in education communities.
Resources from the 2018 AEP Annual Convening, including videos and concurrent session materials, can be found here.
Kennedy Center 2019 Arts Summit: Creating the Story of US
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
April 29, 2019 ׀ Washington, DC
The Kennedy Center Arts Summit is an annual one-day convening to investigate the power and potential of the arts. Bringing together thought leaders for conversation and connection, the Arts Summit engages experts from across numerous fields, aiming to challenge old ideas, spark new ones, and catalyze potent partnerships across disciplines.
2019 National Forum on Education Policy
Education Commission of the States
July 10-12, 2019 | Denver, CO
Network with state education leaders from across roles and across the country. Gain insight on unique state education policy approaches and promising practices from early learning to postsecondary and career. Attendees will expand their professional network, build expertise, and further develop their capacity to build effective education policy. 
RESEARCH & RESOURCES
Visual Arts Matter Policy Report
Arts Education Partnership | March 2019
The Arts Education Partnership reviewed multiple research studies identified within ArtsEdSearch — a national clearinghouse of arts education research — to better understand the role visual arts play in student success. This resource explores how visual arts support students’ academic success both within and outside of school settings by cultivating learning skills, boosting academic achievement and enhancing the educational experience of traditionally underserved students.
Blog Post: Your Guide to Navigating Opportunities for the Arts Under ESSA
Education Commission of the States | April 2019
ESSA and the arts. Where to start? Where to go? This new post on Education Commission of the States' Ed Note blog shows how a comprehensive report from AEP can help you navigate opportunities for the arts in education under this federal law.
Rural Prosperity Through the Arts & Culture Sector
National Governors Association | March 2019
This new guide, from the National Governors Association, the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies, provides states with research and insight into how arts-based economic development can support struggling rural communities. The guide includes a policy framework and provides examples of how arts-based development strategies have positively impacted diverse geographic settings.
OPPORTUNITIES
Submissions Open: Journal of Folklore and Education
Submit initial drafts by April 15.
Local Learning: The National Network for Folk Arts in Education is accepting articles, model projects and multimedia products, among other submission types, aligned with the 2019 theme of “Art of the Interview.” This journal edition will explore the practice and technique of folk arts interviews, including the role of interviews within a curriculum. Initial drafts of submissions are due April 15, 2019.

The Adroit Journal Mentorship Program for High School Students
Apply by April 15, 2019
The Adroit Journal, a nationally-recognized literary journal that has been featured in Best Ameerican Poetry, The New York Times, Teen Vogue, and NPR, is currently looking for high school and secondary students to apply for its 7th annual Adroit Journal Summer Mentorship Program. The program pairs high school students working in literary poetry, fiction, or nonfiction with over 50 emerging and established authors such as Eloisa Amezcua, Dorothy Chan, Luther Hughes, Kayleb Rae Candrilli, Jenny Xie, and more. 

Call for High School Art | Western Governors’ Association “Celebrate the West”
Apply by April 28, 2019
The “Celebrate the West” 2019 art competition is open to high school students (Grades 9-12) in the Western Governors’ Association’s active-member states and U.S.-flag Pacific Islands. Submit an original two-dimensional artwork that conveys what your state means to you, how you are artistically inspired by your state, or the uniqueness of living in the West. You may draw inspiration from your state’s history, landmarks, natural resources, National Parks or Monuments, current or historical events, people, community, and culture.

The Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge 
Apply by April 30th, 2019
The National Endowment for the Arts is supporting the next generation of American songwriters through its Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge. For the second year and in collaboration with the American Theatre Wing, the Arts Endowment is calling for applications from high school students with a passion for writing songs that could be part of a musical theater production. Musical styles can include everything from hip-hop, rock, and R&B to country and jazz. The application is simple and can be completed online. The deadline to submit is April 30, 2019 at midnight ET. 
SEND US YOUR FEEDBACK
Feel free to send us your comments, suggestions or a story idea you'd like to see in the next issue. artslearning@azarts.gov  
FOR MORE INFORMATION
To learn more about our programs and services at the Arizona Commission on the Arts, visit www.azarts.gov  
ARTS LEARNING STAFF
Elisa Radcliffe
Arts Learning Manager

Anastasia Freyermuth
Arts Learning and Evaluation Coordinator

AZArts Learning News is published monthly by the Arizona Commission on the Arts

To request this or any other agency publication in an alternative format, contact the Arizona Commission on the Arts at (602) 771-6501 | info@azarts.gov
IMAGINE AN ARIZONA WHERE EVERYONE
CAN PARTICIPATE IN AND EXPERIENCE THE ARTS
Arizona Commission on the Arts | (602) 771-6501 | info@azarts.gov | www.azarts.gov