Aspen View Public Schools is looking to expand its arts integration program next year.
Throughout the last school year, Aspen View and Big River Arts Society have been bringing music, art and drama into the classroom as part of a pilot program in arts integration.
“So what happens is a teacher will contact me and say I would like a dancer or a painter or whatever art form they're looking for,” said Gina Martel, executive director of the society. “I will send that out to the artists and they will say, 'I really would like to take this one on.'”
The Big River Arts Society member and the teacher would then sit down and hash out what the teacher wants and how they want it delivered.
“It's very interactive,” Martel said. “It's a way to get kids doing stuff up and out of their desks and using that creative problem-solving.”
The program’s purpose was to bring another type of learning into the classroom. Although Martel said she has a high respect for teachers, she thinks that the program offers something unique to the students and helps those who learn a different way.
“I actually had one child come up to me after a social studies class,” she said. “We were learning about India and she wrapped her arms around me and said, 'Mrs. Martel, I would never remember any of this about India if you hadn't have come in here today.'”
Landing Trail Intermediate School (LTIS) teacher Laurie Kiselyk agrees. During her Grade 5 class’ unit on the different sections of Canada, Martel came in to help them put on performances about the subject. She had such a good experience that she wants to do it again next year.
“If the funding continues, then yes, certainly,” Kiselyk said. “Some of the kids learn that way, if you put things to song or to live action, get the kids up moving and learning kinetically, then they're going to retain that information better.”
According to Martel, Aspen View agrees. Not only is the program going to continue next year, they’re planning on increasing the funding.
“We are looking at a lot more activity and a lot more of what we've been doing. So this year, for example, we had 30 contracts that were filled between October and June,” she said. “We're looking at maybe even being able to double that number by next year if we could.”
As such, the society is currently looking for more artists in all forms of media to help them out.
“Because we know there's going to be more contracts filled, we're looking for more people,” she said. “We're looking for more visual artists, more dancers and specifically more potters or sculptors. So, anybody who wants to be involved in this, we would love to sit and go through a portfolio.”
Contact the group through their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/athbascaIs this missing a letter? artsacademy.
