Enhancing your Art Program

Successful art programs are not characterized by the individuals who make them; rather, they are characterized by individuals who believe that working together toward a common goal, sharing knowledge and expertise, and striving for continual improvement, are the routes to success.

I was fortunate to have worked in a large school system that recognized these traits and enabled my colleagues and I to work in an environment of innovation and collegiality. In over 35 years in this school system, I watched the art program grow and improve as a result of continuous enhancements, earning respect and continued support from the School Board and community.

Many program enhancements were introduced and supported at the system level (e.g. Gifted and Talented art, art technology career completers, magnet schools, summer art programs, system-wide exhibits and partnerships with arts organizations, museums, and businesses) and are now institutionalized.

Others originated at schools, initiated by imaginative teachers. Encouraged to innovate, teachers created co-curricular activities that extended the art program beyond the classroom and into the community. These school-initiated enhancements were shared at professional meetings and spread to other schools in the system. A number of them have become a tradition.

For new and experienced teachers looking for ideas, I’d like to present some examples of school-based enhancements (Many are familiar while some may spark new ideas).

Highlight student achievements

o Educate the public by displaying student work in prominent areas of the school using signage to describe what students learned.

o Showcase student artist(s) of the month by displaying work and awarding certificates of recognition

o Set up a virtual gallery on your school website or other sites that host virtual galleries such as Artsonia www.Artsonia.com. Include a brief description to provide a context to what students learned

Extend the art program beyond the classroom

o Establish a National Art Honor Society or National Junior Art Honor Society to foster student leadership and service in art

http://www.arteducators.org/community/national-art-honor-society

o Conduct after school workshops (Ceramics, Digital Art, Studio Nights, etc.)

o Create an after-school Art Club

Engage the community

o  Set up an artist residency – check with your community or state Arts Councils for information about teaching artists and grant writing. Seek approval from your administration to organize a team of co-workers and the PTA to help you plan for the residency

o Organize a Youth Art Month exhibit http://arteducators.org/news/youth-art-month-yam; invite the community

o Develop partnerships with local community organizations to sponsor  exhibits at libraries, offices, community centers, etc.

o Encourage parents to volunteer and assist in the artroom; establish an Art Parent Advocacy Group

o Co-plan a feeder school exhibit to showcase the elementary-middle-high art programs in your community

o Plan theme-based exhibits such as “Edible Art,” “Family Mask Portraits,” “Our Community,” where the community is invited to submit their creations (make sure you establish criteria for participation in the exhibit)

o Schedule school-wide exhibits to coincide with events for the community such as music, drama, or dance performances

Supplement the art program budget through fundraising

o Work with your PTA and such fundraising organizations as Square 1, SilverGraphics, ArtStamps, Artsonia Fundraiser. These organizations can reproduce student art on various mementos (magnets, mugs, cards, mousepads, etc.).  Families and members of the community are invited to support the art program and school by purchasing an item with their student’s art on it. 

o Plan an art auction of student work – include the PTA and students in the planning, decision-making and selection of work to be auctioned

These are just a few ideas. I hope they will provide stimulus, motivation, and “jump start” or refine existing activities. Challenge yourself to “grow” your art program by starting a new tradition.

-Daisy McTighe