FOR SCHOOL SPONSOR SITES

planning the residency

Publicity and Documentation

West Orange High School,
West Orange

Teaching artist Miriam Schaer’s “Introduction to Book Arts” (Life Books – Past, Present, and Future – Accordion, Sewn & Shaped Books and Self-Portrait Autobiographical Scrolls with clay boxes) was a 24-day residency which included a class trip and two Professional Development Workshops. “Books in the Classroom” covered a variety of simple book structures, from historic to contemporary, that teachers could easily include into nearly any curriculum at any grade level. It was district-wide and included ESL teachers who made books with their students in the process of teaching language literacy. “Make Your Own Hardcover Book” (sewing books and text blocks) was for district art teachers which developed techniques and hands-on skills that the teachers then brought to their classroom teaching. In the process, book arts was used as a tool for students to: develop a sense of self-identity, connect related life events, gain perspective on life, share family history, express feelings and emotions, resolve issues, understand past to help prepare for future, and address individual fears, hopes and dreams. Kimberly Juirdano, West Orange High School administrator wrote, “The program most specifically reached out to our ESL and special needs population as it touches all learning styles and provides a medium they relate to.”

  • Designate responsibility for arranging local media, school and district publicity in newspapers, newsletters and/or websites to spread the word, share residency activities, and chronicle impact.
  • Refer to grant agreement guidelines for proper acknowledgement and credit to the New Jersey State Council on the Arts and other partners to include in all publicity and documentation.
  • Write press releases (several weeks before the residency begins) to announce the grant award and Residency Artist as well as recognize participating staff. (Include photographs of Residency Artist and Steering Committee members if possible.)
  • Distribute ongoing articles/press releases to local print and broadcast media, school announcement/bulletins, PTA/PTO newsletters and website editors.
  • Invite local newspaper reporters, photographers and school district public relations coordinator to visit and document the ongoing residency.
  • Acquire parents’ permission slips to interview/photograph Participating Students, as school policy dictates.
  • Provide press releases to AIE Partners, supporting funders and agencies.
  • Use school list-serve, as school policy permits, to e-mail press to community and families.
  • Develop school bulletin-board display or poster to shares news about the residency, highlight the artist, display student work and applaud accomplishments.
  • Document the residency to help extend its impact. Encourage teachers, parents or staff to take photographs; archive student journals/portfolios; and make audio diaries/videotapes to record both the residency process and also the community culminating event/performance/exhibition. This documentation enables others (staff, non-participating students and parents) to learn from residency activities, celebrate results and envision future residency experiences that build on what students have already done.

Culminating Event for the Community

AIE residencies emphasize artistic process, and celebrate the outcomes of creative work. A culminating event for the community (such as a dance/music/theatre performance or an exhibition of student artwork/mural/installations) can reinforce student learning and bring their work to an audience that values their effort and affirms the importance of the arts in learning. Such events also reinforce staff and artist advocacy for arts education in schools and communities. The Residency Artist and AIE Partner can share creative ideas for culminating events and ways to involve families and community members in the residency. Examples include: a creative-writing night for parents, student-taught workshops for their families, an outdoor “art gallery” set up on school grounds, a mural unveiling followed by a dessert potluck. Culminating events for the community may take place at the school site or in another venue as a park, theater, gallery, bookstore or local historic building.

Dance Residency at Parkway School, Ewing<br />(photo by Alan Goldsmith)Dance Residency at Parkway School, Ewing (photo by Alan Goldsmith)




“The residency gave us the opportunity to learn about a style of dance that is not offered at most local studios. It gave us a taste of the history behind the dance, and it was really interesting to learn about.”

Student,
Middlesex County Vocational School,
East Brunswick