Be Out There - Creating Connections!

Two years ago, I was the Conference Coordinator for AENJ and the theme for my conference was Be Out There – Creating Connections!  This is a theme that I continue to work to accomplish (in some big or small way) each day!  Of course you want to connect with your students and with your colleagues but for now, lets talk about your art program and connecting with parents, administrators and the community.  You are the BEST advocate for your art program and you have to be out there promoting it in both big & small ways.

At Mount Prospect, the PTO publishes “Panther Pages” a newsletter that is e-mailed to all of the parents.  For the most part the classroom teachers do their own newsletters, but all Special Area teachers are asked to contribute to the Panther Pages.  It is published weekly, and my goal is to include an article each month.  Topics range from projects we are working on in art class to an upcoming art exhibit to suggestions of art exhibits that parents might like to take their children to.  I also use it to promote my Art on the Move BLOG and the latest news on the Mount Propsect Artsonia Gallery.

All teachers in the district are required to maintain a website that is set-up through a site called On-Course.  My website, Mrs Bivona’s ART Space, contains general information about art class at Mount Prospect School.  So why do I need a blog as well?  It’s my choice to have a blog and keep it updated.  The reason I do it, is because it’s like a journal or a diary, keeping track of the highlights of each year.  “Art on the Move” is on Blogger and honestly it is much easier to update than my website.  I love to look back over the year and see all that we have accomplished.  My blog is linked from my website so parents, students and administrators can find it easily.

Well, if you are reading this and you know me, you know I am a huge Artsonia supporter!  I have been publishing my student’s artwork on Artsonia for the past 8 years and I would say by far it the BEST way to promote the art program at Mount Prospect School.  I don’t think I get though one conversation with parents that they do not mention Artsonia and how much they love it!   Artsonia brings artwork created in your class into the homes & offices of friends and families of your students!  So, if you haven’t checked it out, do so.  You can get there right through the NAEA website.  You will also find a wonderful collection of lesson plans when you get there!

Contests ~ some people love them and some people despise them!  Either way they are out there, if you choose to get involved.  I certainly don’t do a lot of them but over the years there I have found a few that I believe are worth it and my students have been recognized for their good work!  If my students are interested in participating I am willing to assist them and provide materials but the work is done at home.  My administration seems to LOVE the recognition so it is most definitely a way to get administrators to notice the art program.  Each year seems to bring different contests but one that we do each year is the NJ Conserve Wildlife – Species on the Edge Art & Essay Contest.  One of our MOST exciting recognitions was the 2006 Geico National Safety Belt poster contest.  My student Claire was the national winner; the Gecko even came to our school – that was WOW!  Below you see Claire’s winning entry.

Art Exhibits are an excellent way to BE OUT THERE!  From the very beginning of the school year I keep artwork for art exhibits that come-up throughout the year.  We participate in over 6 exhibits outside of school each year, in the spring each child has 1 piece of artwork in the Mount Prospect Art Exhibit. Make sure to send out invitations or contact the parents/guardians so they can get the reception date on the calendar early!  Art exhibits are one of my favorite places to connect with parents! Their children are excited and they are beaming ~ the artwork always provides a great conversation starter!

All of this good, hard work will go unnoticed unless you make sure to let your administrators know about ALL the things you are doing.  So you must TELL them!  E-mail them when you update your website or blog, let them know if you have a winner in a contest, invite them to the art exhibit.  Of course, they may or may not be able to attend the exhibit reception – keep inviting them, they might just surprise you! Either way send photos of the event, send them to Board Members as well! 

Are you Out There ~ Creating Connections?  How do you Create Connections in your community?  I would love to hear your ideas in the comment section below!