Arts in Education

VSA arts of Alabama offers arts programming in educational settings through a variety of ways, namely Artist-in-Residencies at particular schools or statewide calls for art and writing.  Our programs give students with and without disabilities the opportunity to express themselves creatively, to learn new artistic skills while gaining self-confidence, and to experiment with new media.

We offer Artist-in-Residencies at the following locations:

  • The Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind (AIDB) - Talladega

VSA arts of Alabama provides an annual 20-week drumming and rhythm program to the Helen Keller School and the School for the Blind at AIDB, led by VSA Teaching Artist and Master Rhythm Facilitator John Scalici. This rhythmic empowerment program utilizes the art of hand-drumming and rhythm-based activities as a tool for communication and self-expression, while teaching vital life skills such as teamwork, cooperation, collaboration, and respect. In addition, this program integrates elements of science (sound waves and vibration), math (recognizing recurring patterns, note durations, addition/subtraction of beats), and social studies (West African culture manifested in drumming).

  • Epic School  - Birmingham

Since 2003, VSA arts of Alabama has provided fun arts programming at Epic School’s Summer Camp. For the first three years, we offered drumming and rhythm workshops with John Scalici, but in 2006, the arts programming expanded to include visual arts classes and drama classes in addition to music. This 8-week summer camp focuses on academics, so VSA’s programming fosters the children’s imagination by offering a creative outlet!

  • United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Birmingham’s Hand-in-Hand Early Learning Center  - Birmingham

VSA arts of Alabama currently offers bi-monthly visual arts classes in an inclusive environment to children ages 2 ½ - 5 years of age at Hand-in-Hand. Our program’s specific goals are to provide positive creative experiences for the children following Alabama State Guidelines and National Art Education Standards, to create cross-curriculum learning by offering lessons that reinforce weekly teaching themes established by the Hand-in-Hand classroom staff, and to teach students about mark-making and art vocabulary through drawing board time.

  • The Bell Center for Early Learning - Birmingham

VSA arts of Alabama currently offers bi-monthly visual arts classes in an inclusive environment to young children at the Bell Center. Our program’s specific goals are to encourage independence through structured art activities, to encourage personal choice and control of art materials, and to build creative self-esteem while following the monthly teaching themes of the staff.

CreativeFest 2010

The Program

Designed to celebrate VSA arts of Alabama’s gallery space at The Children’s Hospital of Alabama in downtown Birmingham, CreativeFest is an inclusive art exhibit that provides fun and inspirational artwork in a healthcare setting. This artwork brightens the lives of everyone who walks by the colorful walls, from the doctors and nurses to the families and children visiting the facility. CreativeFest is a great opportunity for school age children and teens across the state to showcase their artwork to the community.

 

Guidelines

·         All Alabama school age children (grades 1st – 11th only) are invited to participate

·         Students with disabilities are especially encouraged to participate

·         Artwork MUST be two-dimensional because it will be hung

·         All artwork MUST be matted to fit one of the following standard sizes:

                                                    8×10, 11×14, 16×20, 20×24, 22×28

·         All artwork must be clearly labeled on the back with student’s name, school, and teacher

·         Photography, painting, drawing, collage, or mixed media pieces are accepted         

 

Submissions

All artwork must accompany a completed entry form and comply with the guidelines to be considered.

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION: February 19, 2010*

 

Shipping and Delivery Address

VSA arts of Alabama | 1915 4th Ave S | Birmingham, AL 35233 | Attn: Meagan E. Vucovich

 

CreativeFest 2010 will be on display from March-September 2010 at Children’s Hospital in Birmingham. A reception for all participants and families will be held in the spring. The artwork will not be available to take home until October 2010. At that time, all artwork MUST be picked up at the VSA office by the student’s guardian or teacher. THANK YOU!

 

Awards

A jury of art professionals will review all submissions and select ten pieces for awards of artistic excellence and ten for traveling exhibit awards. The VSA arts of Alabama Traveling Exhibit tours Alabama for six months beginning in May.

 

Contact

Questions?

Please contact Meagan E. Vucovich, Project Coordinator, at 205.307.6300 ext.12 or meagan@vsartsalabama.org

CreativeFest is made possible by grants from the Alabama State Council on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.

CreativeFest 2009 is comprised of 123 works of art from 19 different schools across the state by 111 individual students, 42% of whom have disabilities! Currently, CreativeFest 2009 is on display in the first floor lobby and second floor above the lobby at the Children’s Hospital. The show is available for viewing during regular hospital operation hours.

2009 CreativeFest Participating Schools Include:

  • Athens High School
  • Athens Middle School
  • Booker T. Washington High School
  • Edgewood Elementary
  • Foley High School
  • Hewitt-Trussville High School
  • Highland Park Elementary
  • Hoover Recreation Center
  • James A. Davis Middle School
  • Maxwell Elementary
  • McAdory High School
  • McBride Elementary
  • Trace Crossings Elementary
  • Tuskegee Institute Middle School
  • Webster Elementary
  • West Hills Elementary
  • Wrights Mill Road Elementary