Arts Integration Solutions, the education services arm of the Opening Minds through the Arts (OMA) Foundation, has launched an interactive arts integration training and resources website for teachers, artists and school teams.
"Our mission is to help teachers use the arts to improve student learning in all subjects," says Arts Integration Solutions' Education Services Director Sara Stewart. "Math, science, reading, writing, even the STEM subjects — they all need the arts to engage students in the love of learning."
The OMA Foundation is a longtime developer of arts integration programming in Southern Arizona. Now, through Arts Integration Solutions, the foundation is bringing arts integration training and school programming partnerships to schools across the nation.
"Every child deserves to have the arts in every classroom, every day, helping them succeed in math, science, literacy...and life" says Donn Poll, the Executive Director of the OMA Foundation and CEO of Arts Integration Solutions. "We're working hard to spread arts integration like wildfire through schools that need more than ever to help all students succeed. Every child can be engaged with the arts, and not many programs can claim to reach every child."
Peer blogs, a database of sample classroom lessons, downloadable and print resources, and a clearinghouse of best practices are all planned for the site.
Educators and artists are invited to stay informed about the web site and the best in arts integration by signing up for the Arts Integration Network at artsintegration.com/arts-integration-network
Current Arts Integration Solutions activities:
•Arts Integration Academies July 25-29 in Phoenix; August 1-4 in Tucson.
•Opening of "The Joy of Learning" photo exhibit in Mesa, October 2011. See the online gallery at http://artsintegration.com/joy.
•Fall Arts Integration Intensive sessions beginning late September in Tucson, Phoenix, Flagstaff, Denver, Sacramento, St. Louis and Boston.
•Peer blogs for teachers, arts educators, mentor artists, leaders and parents launching throughout fall 2011.
•Release of School Team Resource manuals: Leadership Guide, Guide for Mentor Artists, Arts Integration Classroom handbook and Protocol for Arts Integration Assessment.
