Seattle Public Schools Arts Newsletter | November, 2020
In this issue:
  • Remembering Anne Gregory
  • The Roots: A Culturally Responsive & Antiracist Arts Framework
  • Seattle's new Cultural Space Agency
  • Creative Advantage Professional Development
  • Opportunities for Students
In Memory of Anne Gregory
Anne Gregory, one of our visual art teachers, has died by suicide. Anne was the visual arts teacher at Roosevelt High School for the last three years, and taught at Evergreen High School in White Center. Anne was a talented artist, dancer, steel drum musician, and practiced capoeira. She was passionate about cultures, community, and racial justice. She was also a beloved daughter, sister, Aunt, and friend. If you knew Anne, you will probably remember her infectious laugh and the way she genuinely listened and cared.

Anne suffered from a history of depression. Her family gave permission to share this information as it’s important to destigmatize mental health and normalize the need so many of us have for supports. Personal health and well-being are critical to managing the responsibilities of work, home, and family. These are difficult times and we need to lean on each other, check-in on each other, and give ourselves some grace. There is a link to a Padlet, where you can share any memories you have of Anne if you knew her personally, and information on the Anne Gregory Memorial Scholarship that will be presented annually to a graduate of Evergreen High School. Below are some resources if you’re in need of support.

Seattle Public Schools:
  • Stephanie Edler, Program Manager, Mental Health 206-422-2426
  • Employee Assistant Program, 877-313-4455
Text by Dawn Slipper and Gail Sehlhorst. Photos by Dawn Slipper.
The Roots: A Culturally Responsive & Antiracist Arts Framework
A set of guiding questions that arts educators can use to provide all students learning experiences where their intellect and imaginations are sparked; their knowledge and experiences are affirmed and expanded; and their agency is put into practice.

Article by Carina A. del Rosario & Christopher Mena
“I don’t like music class. I mean, I like music. I just don’t like this music that we do in class,” a student told Jessica Staire, who was then a new teacher in the Dominican Republic. Now a music teacher at Concord International Elementary School, Staire is part of the Seattle Public School’s Antiracist Arts Education Task Force (AAETF) with Jacob Chavez, Carina A. del Rosario, Donte Felder, Maribel Gonzales, Christopher Mena, Naho Shioya and Toyia Taylor.

“I couldn’t blame the student,” shared Staire. “I didn’t like that music either. Yet here I was, teaching from a standard American music curriculum – the same music I studied when I was in school – trying to teach it in the Dominican Republic. They couldn’t relate to it; it just wasn’t relevant to their lives.” 
Have questions or ideas about ways forward this fall? 

Drop in to Creative Advantage OFFICE HOURS. Audrey and Tina are available every Thursday @ 3pm. Register here. We'll send out the Teams link the day of the meeting each week.
Seattle Arts News:
The Cultural Space Agency
For the first time in 38 years, the City is creating a new public development authority aimed at preserving our city’s cultural spaces, building community wealth, and investing in cultural communities of color.
Opportunities for Educators
The Creative Advantage Community Convening:
Election Reflection
Tuesday, December 1, 2020, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM PST, on-line

The election happened and 2020 is coming to an end. What does it all mean for arts education in Seattle, Washington and beyond? Join us for a informative and highly opinionated panel looking at the current state and possible future for arts education in all our communities.

Open and free to all educators, teaching artists, community members or cultural organizations. Please register in advance to receive the zoom link.

Speakers:
  • Courtney D. Clark, Interim Executive Director for ArtsEd Washington (2020),
  • Carina A. del Rosario (Moderator) is a cultural worker who uses visual art, writing and teaching to build community.
  • Randy Engstrom, Director of the Office of Arts and Culture for the City of Seattle. As Director of the Office
  • Tamar Krames, ArtsWA’s Arts in Education (AIE) Program Manager
Opportunities for Students
Seattle Rep
Black is the Light Workshops
Seattle Rep’s Youth Engagement team is thrilled to announce that registration is open for Raise Your Voice, our first Black is the Light workshop series.

These free virtual Zoom workshops are open to students grades 6 through age 19 and are open exclusively to students who self-identify as Black, Indigenous, or people of color.


Rooted in Black oral tradition and centering Black experience, Black is the Light is an ongoing series of classes, workshops, festivals, and networking opportunities intentionally designed to cultivate local talent and create bridges for young Black and POC artists between academic learning and the professional world. 

The goal of Black is the Light is to engage and inspire BIPOC youth in our community to explore their identity and tell their own story, using artistic mediums including storytelling, poetry, and movement as a source of healing and to harness joy.
Out of School Time
Remote Art Classes with Creative Advantage Partners
Dance
K-5
Active mini-lesson videos
Free

Theatre
10 and up
Scholarships available

All ages
Broadway Inclusion Program - theatre arts programming to neurodivergent and/or disabled community members and their families and caregivers.
Free

The Day the Crayons Quit, Wicked, In The Heights, Social/Emotional Learning Through Drama, and A Midsummer Night's Dream
Prices $185-$375; financial aid is available

Visual Art
Create, Perform and Play for all ages
Visual art for elementary
Free

Youth model making workshops are for ages 11-16
Scholarships available

Teens (14-19)
Rubber stamp making and mixed media will be combined to make postcard assemblages, decorated letters, and other creative parcels to be mailed to friends, loved-ones, and community.
Zoom from 4:30pm-6:30pm, Fridays, October 30th through December 4th (not meeting on Friday, November 27th).
Free

Teens (13-19)
Photography: Media, Archives and the Pursuit of Happiness, Pinhole Camera
Pay what you can
NOW ACCEPTING GRANT APPLICATIONS 
The Woodland Park Players has grants in the $500 to $1,000 range to be awarded in Feb, 2021. Grant applications will be accepted for projects that bring arts opportunities to Seattle area public school students. Applications may be submitted from Oct 1, 2020 until Jan 15th, 2021. Grant recipients will be notified in February 2021.

For more information about our organization go to:

Go to the 'More' tab and select 'Grant Program' to fill out an application.
Also coming this year in The Creative Advantage:

  • Creative Career Connections to connect creative professionals with SPS visual and performing arts teachers to be guest speakers in their remote classrooms.
  • Creative Advantage All Access Arts Streaming Live streaming lessons with community artists that feature culturally responsive teaching and focus on mindfulness, movement, creativity and self-expression. 
  • Regional Arts Festivals go virtual to showcase student creativity and voice.
  • Arts Integration Professional Development Series with a focus on remote learning, SEL and anti-racist healing through the arts.
Resources
As you work to expand the arts in your school community, here are a few websites and people you can look to for help:

Drop in to Creative Advantage OFFICE HOURS. Audrey and Tina are available every Thursday @ 3pm. Register here. We'll send out the link just prior to meeting each week.


The Creative Advantage Page on the SPS website
Resources and tools for arts teams, Creative Advantage news and archived newsletters.

The Community Arts Partner Roster is a vetted list of teaching artists and community arts and culture organizations approved to work in Seattle Public Schools through the Creative Advantage.

The Creative Advantage Website Provides an overview of The Creative Advantage and the value of arts education.

If you can't find what you need on-line, contact the Creative Advantage staff:
 
Audrey Querns-SPS project manager for Creative Advantage (for questions about arts teams and planning, arts partner logistics like contracts and funding)
 
Tina LaPadula - Seattle Office of Arts & Culture Arts Education Manager (for questions about the Arts Partner Roster and working with teaching artists and arts organizations) 

Gail Sehlhorst-SPS Visual and Performing Arts Manager (for questions about arts staffing, curriculum and assessment, and supports for arts teachers)

Ashraf Hasham-Seattle Office of Arts & Culture Youth Arts Manager

Pam Ivezic - SPS Music Specialist (for questions about supports for music teachers and programs)

Masao Yamada - Regional Arts Festival Event Manager (for questions about participating in the 2020-21 Southeast or Central Regional Arts Festivals)