What has SPARK! Arts been up to?
We received a phone call from a teaching artist who expressed gratitude for SPARK! Arts working hard to continue to employ artists. They shared the joy they had when they were able to zoom a first-grade classroom to work on expressing emotions through drama and movement. One student said to our teaching artist,
"Thank you for making my life so much happier."
Our incredible teaching artists have been focusing some of their video resources on social-emotional learning through the arts. The outcome has been beautiful and inspiring!!
Schoolwide Project at Franklin Elementary!
Schoolwide Project // Social-Emotional Learning + Oil Pastel
with Kate Crouch + Penelope Baquero
Franklin K-5 students participated in a school-wide arts integration project. With pre-recorded videos to introduce and demonstrate the project, art kits, and their own imagination, students created an emotive reflection of their year so far. Each piece of artwork has been assembled into a large tapestry, Colors of Emotion, that hangs in the entryway of the school building.
Arts Enhancement Experiences
Arts Enhancement Experiences have gone virtual!

We've partnered with:
Arts Missoula and The Roxy // Kiddomatic Film Fest // Kindergarten
MCT, Inc // Dragons Love Tacos // 2nd grade > > > > > >
MAM // Fifth Grade Arts Experience // 5th grade
Montana Repertory Theatre // Zombie Thoughts // 7th grade
  • - - -
In the upcoming months, we look forward to partnering with:
Drum Brothers // African Drumming Experience // 1st grade
UM College of the Arts and Media's Dance Department // Dance Celebrates Community // 3rd grade
Missoula Symphony // Carnival of the Animals // 4th grade
Big Sky Documentary Film Festival // Shorts Block // 6th grade
Supaman // Native American Dance & Hip-Hop Performance // 8th grade ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
Professional Development
Working with the nation's top arts integration trainers from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and thanks to the 21st Century Teaching and Learning Grant of the Washington Foundation, SPARK! Arts, MCPS Arts Education Department, and UM College of the Arts and Media developed a series of arts integration workshops designed for MCPS educators to fit classroom teacher needs. During one training, a teacher said, " This is the most relevant training I've had all year. "
Help SPARK! Arts Learning in Missoula!
It is only through the support of our amazing sponsors and generous donations from arts supporters like you that SPARK! Arts can continue to ensure equal access to arts education for all students in Missoula.

Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to SPARK! Arts.