Arts in Education
April is National Poetry Month!
National Poetry Month is about sharing and celebrating the wonder of poetry. Want to do something poetry-minded this month? Here are a few ideas:
Rent a movie about a poet or that features a poem in some way. One possibility: the 1994 Italian film "Il Postino." The film tells a fictional story in which the real life Chilean poet Pablo Neruda forms a relationship with a simple postman who learns to love poetry. It's a wonderful film - with English subtitles. More movie suggestions.
Put poetry in a public place. Go beyond hopscotch squares and write a poem in chalk on your sidewalk! It's as simple as 1-2-3:
1) Pick a favorite line from a poem - you can search for one or check your bookshelf for an old favorite.
2) Choose a clean piece of sidewalk or pavement to write on.
3) Use brightly colored chalk to attract attention to your work, and add drawings or artistic flourishes to create some extra fun.
Try your hand at writing your own poetry and get your children in on the activity. This website offers some strategies to help you get started, as well as a format for publishing your work once you create your poem!
Looking for more ideas? Check out this website for some more great ways to celebrate National Poetry Month.
ARTS Obispo has a strong commitment to arts education and has a long-standing and dedicated Arts in Education Committee that works to create a variety of educational arts experiences for children. We couldn't agree more with acclaimed poet and former National Endowment for the Arts chair Dana Gioia, who said:
"The purpose of arts education is not to produce artists; it is to produce complete human beings."
Poetry is one of the arts we encourage. We want to take the opportunity during National Poetry Month to call your attention to programs that bring poetry experiences to young people throughout San Luis Obispo County, throughout the year.
ARTS Obispo has coordinated "Poetry Out Loud," the national recitation competition for high school students, for six years. We provide information and support to the local high schools that participate, and host the county-wide competition. Fueled by the success of "Poetry Out Loud," ARTS Obispo's Arts in Education Committee is bringing the concept to students in Middle Schools.
A new program in its developmental stages is to facilitate poetry "slam" events at local middle schools. A "Poetry Slam" is poetry performance event in which the students recite poetry that they have created. Judges are selected that evaluate presentation and performance as well as content. Perhaps more important than the competitive element of the Slam is that each participant experiences the joy of having his or her poem heard.
ARTS Obispo’s Arts in Education program raises and distributes funds and promotes events that enrich arts education in San Luis Obispo County. Driven by a dedicated staff member and an active committee with representatives from the community, ARTS Obispo’s Board of Directors, and several local arts organizations, it drives a wide variety of programming and advocacy efforts.
Poetry Out Loud
The 2012 SLO County High School Recitation Contest was held in February and the winner advanced to the State competition March 25. Read more.
Poetry Out Loud is a national poetry recitation scholarship contest, with a total of $50,000 in awards and school stipends awarded at the annual National competition Finals. The National Endowment for the Arts (the nation's largest founder of the arts) and the Poetry Foundation (the nation's largest literary organization) have partnered with the California Arts Council and local affiliates like ARTS Obispo to bring Poetry Out Loud to high schools across California.Learn more about the SLO County Poetry Out Loud contest.
CSSSA
Formerly "InnerSpark," California State Summer School for the Arts (CSSSA) is a highly competitive program for talented high school-aged visual, literary, media and performing artists in California.
Arts Curriculum Assistance
Arts Curriculum Assistance provides arts-infused curriculum support to elementary schools in SLO county, in-school art shows of works created by local artists, and arts education advocacy tools and arts education resources. The program is designed to ensure that the arts remain a vital component in student's educational process. For more information contact ARTS Obispo.
