Arts in the Schools
Arts in the Schools
Rainbow Room: a Multimedia Art Installation
Cheryl Avenel-Navara: education, Worthington Public Arts Commission chair, SW MN Opportunity council; Judy Beckman: vocal music, Big Stone Arts Council, Big Stone County Historical Society, Big Stone Lake Area Chamber of Commerce CEO; Cheri Buzzeo: theater, music, The Barn Theatre administration, Willmar Main St participant; Jessica Welu: writing, music, SW Regional Development Commission; Anna Johannsen: fiber artist, art teacher, Remick Gallery board, president of Windom Women's Investment group, treasurer of Cottonwood County Animal Rescue, officer of Cotton Quilters; Georgette Jones: literature teacher, theatre actor/director/teacher; David KelseyBassett: visual artist, musician, Hinterland Art Crawl board; Shawn Kinsinger: theater director, actor, musician, Palace Theatre executive director, Green Earth Players vice president, Luverne Street Music board member, Luverne High School Theater artistic director; Darlene Kotelnicki: theater, city council, library board. Cheryl Avenel Navara: education, Worthington Public Arts Commission chair, SW MN Opportunity Council volunteer; Alison Nelson: art, music, and dance teacher, KMS Community Ed director, Kerkhoven Fire Department Auxiliary fundraiser; Anne O'Keefe-Jackson: human resources director, bead and quill work; Michele Huggins: Granite Area Arts Council treasurer and volunteer, member of the Artisan Grain Collaborative, founding member of ACHALA; Betsy Pardick: musician, actor, Dept. of Public Transformation committees; Kristine Shelstad: visual arts, Madison Mercantile art gallery, Madison Arts Council, Lac qui Parle Players; VFW; Michele Knife Sterner: theater (actor), SMSU Associate director for Access Opportunity Success program; Erica Volkir: performing arts, Pipestone Performing Arts Center board, Pipestone Area Chamber of Commerce and CVB director; Mark Wilmes: Lake Benton Opera House board president, actor/director, musician, reporter;
Justin Condelli, music, theater, education; Reggie Gorter, music, education; Georgette Jones, theater, education, SMAC board; Maureen Keimig, theater, Joyce Meyer, visual art, education; Dana Miller, visual art, writing, education; Mark Wilmes, theater, S
ACHF Arts Education
This art residency will offer intersection with other students and teachers that is different and exciting; our hope is to make new bonds with subjects and classmates through shared interests and ideas. Having students that are able to think on their feet, approach tasks from different perspectives and think ?outside of the box', and make exciting new discoveries about art and light will go far in promoting the arts program to a diversity of students. There is also a focus on curation; not only the creation of an art piece but thinking more broadly about how it's experienced by an audience, and designing a full and informed experience. Doing an art installation for the public would bring increased public attention and celebration of the value of art. We're going to try something new with evaluation. Traditionally we offer some sort of survey, and always encounter massive obstacles in getting a majority of students (and others) to participate. As part of the project and show itself, the students will design their own evaluations - for themselves as the artists, and for participating public audience members, including their peers - and be partly responsible for following up on engagement. We hope this increases awareness of the importance of evaluation, as well as considering what ?success? means in the worlds of art and public engagement - and can deliver a higher rate of student engagement in the evaluation process. Technology may be heavily featured.
The project fulfilled the goal of mixing generations (oldest 75, youngest 7), attracting new participants from area towns, and producing quality art. We were surprised by the enthusiasm the public had the performances and impact it had on their personal memories. Cast members who were dedicated definitely grew in skill, musicality, and artistic expression. We had several brand new people to musical theatre who, through their dedication, became leaders in the production. Producing a show in the winter caused conflicts with school activities, but we've already had much discussion about how to avoid this next time. The outcome of the performances was so positive that we plan to do it again next holiday season and are contemplating making it an annual production for a few years.