Arts Learning

400 students and 100 teachers and staff took part in this arts learning project exploring the history of the Dakota people and early settlers in East Saint Paul through bookmaking and poetry. Evaluation was conducted by the East Side Arts Council program coordinator using regular meetings and reflective conversations with artists and site coordinators on an ongoing basis throughout the residencies to ensure that any necessary adjustments could be made before the project was completed. Written evaluations were completed by the artists and participating schools. 2: This project engaged 400 students and 100 adults at low-income schools in intensive bookmaking and poetry experiences that explored Dakota culture and history through the arts. In addition to reflective conversations and written evaluations, the ESAC gathered quantitative data from participating schools documenting the demographics reached at each site. This information was taken to ensure quality arts learning programs through the East Side Arts Council reach as many youth on the East Side as possible. Because of this project, ESAC was able to increase the arts learning opportunities available to East Side youth, who, based on the free and reduced lunch rate of 85% at participating schools, are barred from many other arts experiences due to their associated cost.