Harding Fine Arts Academy boasts an innovative art-integrated educational model. But what does that mean exactly? What does an arts-integrated education look like?

Arts Integration is an approach to teaching in which students construct and demonstrate understanding through an art form. Students engage in a creative process which connects an art form and another subject area and meets evolving objectives in both. For example, in science class students may be asked to write a song about cell division, or in geometry class they will analyze Picasso’s works to identify different shapes, lines, angles and their relationship to one another.

Unfortunately, in recent years funding for arts-based programs have been on the decline. Instead, many leaders and policymakers emphasize the importance of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), often at the expense of humanities, arts, and sociology.

While it is true that there is an increasing demand for highly-trained scientists, managers and technicians especially in computer science and energy, it should not be forgotten that critical thinking and creative problem solving are key skills in any field.

As artists, our students will have to face and overcome obstacles, think of innovative solutions, collaborate effectively within a team, and communicate their visions succinctly and clearly. In a recent Forbes article, Adam Enbar, CEO and Co-Founder of Flatiron, a computer programming bootcamp, explained that students who come to computer programming from the world of the arts often fear that they will be at a disadvantage. However, he found the opposite is true; a creative discipline teaches patience in the face of obstacles, which turns out to be a critically important mindset for coding.

“Artists know what it’s like to be bad at something,” said Enbar. “If you ever learned to play an instrument, you can feel like a beginner for a long time. But you just push through it and you’re forgiving of yourself. You learn to say, ‘It’s all right that I’m bad, but I’m practicing and I see myself getting better.’ he continued.”

By weaving arts and humanities into everything we do at Harding Fine Arts Academy, we are not only preparing students for college, but we are instilling skills, behaviors and temperaments necessary to be successful in life and in their careers.

Regards,

Barry Schmelzenbach, Superintendent

Each month faculty and staff select two students from each grade as the student of the month. Please join us in congratulating October’s students. In order from left to right:

Emily Acosta 9th

Mayah Resz 10th

Jack Early 10th

Bitia Cordova 12th

Jasmine Guerrero 11th

Imani Carr 11th

Triumph Yarngo 9th

Mr. Williams, Assistant Principal

Sam Skinner-Noble is a senior at Harding Fine Arts Academy, an arts-integrated charter school located in the heart of Oklahoma City. Sam is a member of the Student Council and National Honor Society. In his free time, you can find him volunteering for El Sistema Oklahoma and working to become an Eagle Scout with the Boy Scouts. He is also highly involved in band and jazz band where he plays saxophone and clarinet. He first learned to read music and play while in middle school.

“My favorite artistic discipline is definitely instrumental music.” said Sam. “It’s something I started when I was young, and I really grew to enjoy it because it challenges me.” Sam’s music is inspired by many people, but specifically his parents, former music teachers and Fleetwood Mac.

He originally chose to attend Harding for its award-winning photography program, but soon discovered his true passion is music. As graduation quickly approaches, Sam has decided to follow in the footsteps of the numerous teachers who inspired him. He plans to study music education in college and eventually become a middle or high school band director.

Harding Fine Arts Academy is proud of Sam’s successes so far, and we look forward to all of the amazing things we know he will accomplish!

The Foundation released its first State of the Arts Magazine showcasing all the hard work of the students and staff from last school year.

Read the digital version online.

If you would like an additional printed copy, please email contact@hfaafoundation.org.

October 19 | 5:30-8:00 pm

Harding Fine Arts Academy Auditorium

Please join us for the next installment of our classic film series, “Evolution of the Movie Musical.” We will be watching clips from other musicals with commentary from Film Historian Elizabeth Anthony and the feature film, Top Hat (1935).

Concessions will be available and all proceeds will benefit the Film Production Club.

Per Harding's COVID_19 mitigation policies, masks are required when not eating from the concession stand and all audience members must be socially distanced.

October 29 | 5:00-7:30 pm

Harding Fine Arts Academy West Parking lot

What Is Trunk or Treating? During Trunk or Treat, students' families and student organizations will decorate the back of their cars for Halloween, load up on candy, and come sit in a parking lot for neighborhood kids to "trick or treat" from car-to-car.

Please join us for this fun, family-friendly event. Everyone in Oklahoma City is invited.

November 11 & 12 | 7:00pm

Tickets: $5 Students/$8 Adults

Tickets will be available at the door. Cash or check only!

Count Dracula, a 15th-century prince, is condemned to live off the blood of the living for eternity. Young lawyer Jonathan Harker is sent to Dracula's castle to finalize a land deal, but when the Count sees a photo of Harker's fiancée, Mina, the spitting image of his dead wife, he imprisons him and sets off for London to track her down.

Both the girls' and boys' basketball teams are conducting their annual fundraiser for athletic equipment and weight room supplies.

Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to our Firehawk Champions!

On September 12, 2021, we lost Sally Amspacher Royse Blake. Sally was a pioneer in physical fitness during the 80’s and opened her own aerobics studio where she brought health and fitness to our community. Later she became a personal trainer. Sally was passionate about golf, quilting, reading, her dogs and entertaining. Most of all, she loved her family and friends.

On September 6, 2021, Richard Pellow went to be with his Lord. In 1966, he was called to serve in the United States Army during Vietnam. He then went on to a career in the oil and gas industry, where he served as president and CEO of Jones and Pellow Oil Company. Rick had a servant’s heart, especially for the children, widows, and veterans in their community. He used his wood working and computer skills to give back, whether it be to make Christmas toys, habitat for humanity projects, or build a website for veterans. He started Agape Love Ministry in 2002, a home for boys to be mentored who had aged out of foster care.

To be included in the class notes, please send your announcement with your name and class year to alumni@hfaafoundation.org.

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