Unfortunately, we have been in an era where funding dollars for arts education in our schools have become increasingly scarce. The Wexner Center for the Arts has taken the initiative in these times to bring three dynamic programs to the Center that will reach out and bring High School Teachers and Students from diverse socio-economic districts together. The Program is entitled ART IN ACTION. The teachers will receive profession development skills setting the foundation for school-driven, transdisciplinary lesson planning that will demonstrate how art can be used as a catalyst for change. Through this program, students and their teachers will become aware of the conceptual and communicative nature of contemporary art. Students will be engaged in project/issue research, utilizing resources found in Columbus, which will give them “ownership” in the development of the overall project and to see how the work that they are doing is applicable in their real world. The collaborative, project-based, and communicative nature of Art in Action complements elements of the Common Core Standards, a national education initiative that was formally adopted by the State of Ohio in 2010, and is not meant to create more “work” but is designed to complement/augment regular classroom activities. Art in Action will also utilize the Wexner Center as a major resource, and classes will be brought to the center repeatedly throughout the partnership. Clearly, this program will provide resources for teachers, and give them greater freedom to do their jobs as the lessons will not just start and end in the classroom. The creativity that this program brings will empower and inspire. Puffin Foundation West has provided a Grant Award in support of this fine project.
Teachers networking at the WEX during training session.
