Want to boost literacy? Cultivate curios

Want to boost literacy? Cultivate curiosity and creativeness? Theatre is the way to go. AND Congrats to the Orlando REP for making the list!
http://ow.ly/8EUp1

Jennifer Bonner Did you know YOU can sup

Jennifer Bonner
Did you know YOU can support the Orange County Arts Education Center (OCAEC)? Visit our website, explore our programs and advocacy, and give to a great cause this holiday season…
http://ow.ly/7Iqqh

Teaching Through The Arts

Check out this documetary about Arts Integration! Featuring Grand Avenue Primary Learning Center in Orlando, FL. http://www.vimeo.com/15643029

OCAEC New Director Begins

Ray Gargano comes to the Orange County Arts Education Center from Cleveland, Ohio where he was the Assistant Director of Community Engagement and Education at PlayhouseSquare. Prior to his work at the performing arts center, he taught high school English, theatre and journalism and was as an adjunct instructor at Notre Dame College and the University of Akron, teaching pre-service and practicing teachers technology integration and public speaking. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Communications in Education at Kent State University and his master’s in Instructional Technology at the University of Akron. As an arts administrator, he served on the boards of the Ohio Alliance for Art Education and Mercury Summer Stock Theatre, the Kennedy Center’s Partners in Education Advisory Committee, the Ohio Department of Education’s Committee for the Arts and Innovative Thinking, and as the chair of the Education Directors of Performing Arts Centers Consortium. He is excited to be a part of the Center and continue his work making high-quality arts education experiences accessible for all ages.

November 2, 2010: It’s Your Decision!

Voters will decide on Nov. 2, 2010 if they want to raise property tax rates by one mill.  

The one mill will generate approximately $85 million a year for four years, beginning with the 2011-12 operating budget. The money would be used to replace other federal and state funding that will be lost at the end of this school year. It is not “new” money. 

Why Are We Asking?
The state of Florida is facing a multi-billion dollar shortfall in state revenues for the 2011-12 fiscal year.  In 2011-12, OCPS is projected to have a shortfall of $95 million, or the equivalent of 1,600 teaching positions.

Got Drama? Careers in the Theatre Arts Forum!

 

Got drama?
What’s up after High School? Meet professionals from the Central Florida Arts Community and talk about careers in the theatre business. A panel of actors, agents, union representatives and teaching artists will answer your questions about auditions, college degree programs, theme park work, headshots and resumes and arts related jobs. Use your drama skills and talents to build your future.

When: Saturday, Sept. 18, 2 – 4 p.m.
Where: Margeson Theater, Lowndes Shakespeare Center
             812 East Rollins Street, Orlando, FL 32803 map it!
Who: 9th – 12th grade students
Cost: FREE

Presented by:

 

pARTicipate: The Cultural Advantage

Magic Journey to the Arts Interview – watch it!

Robyn Goukos of the Orlando Magic
Scott Evans, Director of the Orange County Arts Education Center

Come Support Arts Education!

Orange County School Board Candidate Forum
August 12, 2010

With three Orange County School Board member seats and the first time elected school board chair seat up for election, now is the perfect time to collectively hear from those running for school board. With a host of education-related issues and questions on the public’s mind – from budget cuts and the potential impact on the quality of education, to school construction and renovation, to continuing the momentum of learning gains, to understanding the lives of students today and meeting their needs – this is your opportunity to listen to the candidates’ vision for our public schools.

The Foundation for Orange County Public Schools, in partnership with the League of Women Voters and the Orange County Arts Education Center, is sponsoring an open-to-the-public Orange County School Board Candidate Forum with the goal of educating voters on the candidates and their positions and perspectives so the public can make informed decisions.

When:
Thursday, August 12, 2010
6:15 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. – Candidate Forum for Districts 1, 2 and 3
7:45 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. – Candidate Forum for County-Wide Elected Chair
 
Where:
Orlando Repertory Theatre
1001 E. Princeton St.
Orlando, FL 32803
Map it!

The Foundation for Orange County Public Schools, Orange County Arts Education Center and the League of Women Voters do not endorse the election or defeat of any candidate or party.

For more information please visit our website at www.ocaec.org

OCAEC OFFERS A HANDS-ON SEMINAR FOR ARTISTS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

“Artists as Educators: Planning Effective Residencies for Students”
July 26^th 27^th and 28^th

Application Deadline Is July 1, 2010

Rollins College, Winter Park, FL – June 10, 2010, The Orange County Arts Education Center is offering a hands-on seminar designed to develop the skills of teaching artists and arts educators in planning residencies for students.  The Seminar will be presented on July 26^th, 27^th and 28^th at Rollins College. Designed and developed by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the three-day Seminar, “Artists as Educators: Planning Effective Residencies for Students” includes presentations, activities, and discussions to help participants examine a process for planning effective arts-integrated residencies and apply that process to their own work.  As a result of participating in this Seminar, teaching artists/arts educators will know the five components of an effective Residency Plan and a definition of arts integration, and will be able to apply the five-step process to develop a Residency Plan.
The program was developed by the Kennedy Center as an outgrowth of a series of professional development opportunities for teachers.  In 1991, the Kennedy Center initiated the Partners in Education program, designed to create and encourage partnerships throughout the United States between arts organizations and their local school systems, with a special emphasis on the professional development of teachers.

            
Leading the Seminar will be July Thibault Klevins, a drama educator who has directed hundreds of plays and projects with people who range in age from seven to ninety-two. A former theater and language arts teacher in Arlington, Virginia, she continues to serve as a coach/mentor to teachers as they introduce drama strategies in their classroom. Ms. Klevins also served as Arlington’s Arts Education Specialist. A presenter at international and national conventions, she has created, directed, and performed readings at the U.S. Senate Office Building, the National Institutes of Health, and other venues, and created Swapping Stories©, a unique intergenerational/intercultural drama project.

            
The Seminar will cost $275 to attend and will include breakfast, lunch and all seminar materials.  Only 15 teaching artists and/or arts educators will be selected for the seminar. The application deadline is July 1, 2010.   

For more information please contact the Orange County Arts Education Center at www.ocaec.org or 407-540-9916 or scott.evans@ocaec.org.

PRESS CONTACT: 
Scott Evans 407-540-9916

 

 

Why Keep Arts Education?: Letters from Kiana, Ajah, and Judlyne

~Kiana~

I am an 8^th grader at Meadow Woods Middle School and I want to thank you for supporting all the arts programs. I have been in chorus for three years and band for two and I can’t imagine my life without either. I’m always hearing about budget cuts and how the first place they cut out is the arts because maybe they don’t know how much it affects our lives, when they do. For me personally the arts have helped me get away from the demands of middle school life and sometimes even my home life. I love to sing, so every time I step into the chorus room all my worries just fade away once I open my mouth and sing that first note. To know that all of that is about to change makes me ask myself what am I to do? People like you who support the arts bring a smile to my face knowing that someone out there still supports us. So I thank you for everything you’ve done.

Your Friend,
Kiana

~Ajah~

Since I have been in chorus in the 6^th grade I was part of the arts. It has taught me about commitment, focus and reliability. I feel that the arts section of education is very important. Students across the country sometimes rely on the arts because that’s their passion. I appreciate every ones concern toward the students who love to sing, write , or any of the other arts related curriculums. Students in general may not only want but need arts education because it’s not just a hobby but there life. As for me I am in the 8^th grade and this last year in chorus has been the very  best of them all .So for that enjoyment I would like to thank all the people who cared about education in the arts

Sincerely,
Ajah
Meadow Woods Middle

~Judlyne~

Thank you so much for having a chorus class. It has brought so much joy and lessons, so far in my life. It feels like it was just yesterday when I was in 5^th grade to come see Meadow Woods Middle School. When you introduced the music department I was thrilled- I couldn’t wait to be a part of it! After I heard the Meadow Woods Middle School choir sing I knew I wanted to be part of it. What I didn’t know was that it would help me grow as a person. I gained respect and leadership from my peers. I learned discipline and self control. If I weren’t in chorus today I probably would be heading in the wrong direction and not thanking you today. I really appreciate you doing all that you have done to keep the music department. Thank you, Dr.Rivers.

Sincerely,
Judlyne