On Tuesday, August 23, I attended San Francisco's 2011 Mayoral Arts Forum. Usually when politicians and artists meet in a public space, the latter spend a lot of time justifying their existence to the former. Last night at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in the Novellus Theater, the tables were turned. In an impressive display of the power of the arts and art education in San Francisco, ten candidates for mayor answered pointed questions on the role of art in this city. Among the hot topics, mid-Market Street revitalization, affordable housing, and arts education rose to the top. Some candidates called for the re-authorization of Proposition H, which supports arts, sports, libraries and music in San Francisco public schools. Many also called for additional, stable funding streams for the arts in city schools. For a full breakdown of how the candidates responded, please follow this link. Their grasp of arts education policy is a testament to the work of Performing Arts Workshop and peer organizations, who have educated policymakers about the critical role that the arts play in the lives of San Francisco's youth. San Francisco's arts communities are active and advocating, and others are taking notice. During National Arts in Education Week, September 12-17, arts and educational partners from around the greater Bay Area will be celebrating the best in creative education. September 15-16, the Arts Education Partnership Forum will descend on the city, bringing with it arts and education professionals from across the country. I encourage you to join us in San Francisco, by celebrating National Arts Education week. The full list of events is below. You can also view it online here. ARTS IN EDUCATION WEEK Wednesday, September 14 4:30-6 p.m. - Professional Development Workshops for Teachers and Teaching Artists. Tenderloin Community School. Training available for teachers, parents, and teaching artists. Sponsored by Teaching Artists Organized, Alameda County Arts Integration Specialist Program, Arts Providers Alliance of San Francisco, and San Francisco Unified School District. 6:15-7:45 p.m. - Panel Discussion: "The Collective Impact of the Arts" 7:45-9:30 p.m. - Community Reception. Green Room, War Memorial Veterans Building. The Community Reception will feature a performance by the San Francisco Boys Chorus. Thursday, September 15 & Friday, September 16 Saturday, September 17 Questions? Contact artineducation2011@gmail.com. |
August 2011 Arts Advocates Lead the Way in Politics and Education Dr. Charles R. Drew: How One School Creates Community Artist Spotlight: Amani Manning Administrative Staff Board of Directors Advisory Council Members Michelle Angier |
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What's your earliest memory of learning the arts? My first experience with the arts was learning ballet at five years old. It was extremely exciting. What I liked most about it was the movement, music, and the whole expressiveness of it. What dance did for me was teach me how to use my body in a very expressive way. Who are some of your favorite artists? As a child, my family had a lot of Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra. Then in my teenage years, it was the King, Elvis Presley. What is your favorite work of art? The David in Florence is the first thing that comes to mind. In my twenties, I lived and worked in Europe. When I was in Florence, I went to see the David almost daily. It was spellbinding. To think that one person did that…it was mind blowing. What do you wish other people knew about Performing Arts Workshop? I wish that the community at large realized the importance of the arts in a child's education and development. And how Performing Arts Workshop's teaching artists go out into the community to teach and interact with kids. To me, that is the most profound thing that the Workshop offers. Why did you decide to join the Gloria Unti Legacy Society? I firmly believe that [Performing Arts Workshop] is something that has to be continued forever. When I exit the earth, I want to make sure I'm leaving something that will continue this experience for kids. Gloria has given us a wonderful gift in starting, growing, and developing Performing Arts Workshop. And I just want to add to that. Diane is Performing Arts Workshop's Advisory Council Co-Chair, former board president, and a founding member of the Gloria Unti Legacy Society. Diane is a nurse and lives in San Francisco. |
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"At the end of class, a shy and quiet student waves me away from the others, gestures for me to bend down, and whispers: Poetry is fun like the best birthday party.'" -Jennifer Chien, Teaching Artist, taught poetry to 3rd grade students at Drew last year. Visit Dr. Charles Drew College Preparatory Academy on any given day and it is not uncommon to find Principal Tamatrice Rice- Mitchell warmly welcoming a parent by name, offering a few affirming words of wisdom to a scholar in the hallway, or helping out the secretary and greeting families in the front office. It is this tone of support and warmth that seems to permeate Drew's campus—theirs is a school culture rooted in collaboration with deep respect for community. Drew is the Workshop's largest and most extensive community partner. The school's focus on community and shared responsibility has developed the community school that Principal Rice- Mitchell, her teachers, staff, students, volunteers, families, and non-profit partners have created over the years. As a result, Drew is a place where students and their families are supported in ways that go beyond your typical elementary school. A recent article in the San Francisco Bayview highlights some of the methods that Drew uses to supports its students and families. One of many programs and resources that Drew provides is a comprehensive extended day program. The program was started when Drew was identified for school improvement and given the charge to re-vision itself as a Dream School. Within Drew's extended day vision, each student receives targeted academic support and quality arts instruction. This is where the Workshop comes in. Beginning last year, three Workshop teaching artists built trusting relationships with students and offered an in-depth arts education experience to all first through third grade students at Drew. Students learned African drumming, dance, theatre, and spoken word poetry. As with everything at Drew, the Workshop strongly emphasized the cultivation of trusting relationships. As part of Principal Rice- Mitchell's vision, time was allotted every day for Workshop artists to connect and communicate with students and teachers, thereby deepening their relationship and integrating into the fabric of the Drew community. This time to build relationships afforded Workshop artists a stronger foundation from which to base their lessons, and a deeper knowledge of the strengths and needs of their students. The Workshop had the opportunity to continue our relationship with Drew this summer, with two artists participating in the Drew Leadership Summer Program. Designed and lead by Drew's Assistant Principal Ms. Scott, the intimate and project –based approach of the summer program provided a structure for Workshop Artists to collaborate with teachers by aligning class content and sharing ideas. With the first weeks of a new school year upon us, the Workshop is looking to further deepen our partnership with Drew. In addition to expanding and deepening our work with Drew's Extended Day Program this fall, Workshop artists will be paired with third through fifth grade classroom teachers over the course of a year. Together, they will engage in meaningful professional development and explore ways to powerfully integrate the arts into the classroom. The end goal is for Drew classroom teachers to feel more comfortable utilizing the performing arts to build critical thinking and other 21st century skills in their classroom. The Workshop is honored to be part of the Drew community. We are looking forward to an exciting and dynamic year ahead! |
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 Artist Spotlight: Amani ManningThe Artist Spotlight showcases artists currently igniting young minds in schools and communities. This month we are featuring Amani Manning. What brings you to Performing Arts Workshop? My journey through dance began when I started taking lessons at the San Francisco Ballet. While studying at the Ballet, I had the opportunity to perform in the San Francisco Ballet's Nutcracker, which sparked my passion for dance and performing. After years at the Ballet I went on to study Jazz, Modern, Hip Hop, Afro Haitian, and Afro Peruvian dance. I've experienced many teachers with different teaching styles, which taught me the importance of technique, self-confidence, understanding, and purpose thus molding me into the teaching artist I am today. Teachers have the ability to change lives and I strive to be a teaching artist that reaches students in a positive way. Through dance you communicate with your audience. Dance is the exchange of energy while moving through space in time, and the energy you put into the universe can and will affect others. I want to teach dance technique as well as self- expression, communication, connections, and creativity. I want to teach students to be outgoing individuals in a community and how to use their creative energy without fear of being judged. These are lessons students can learn through a positive experience with dance. If they choose a path other than dance they can apply what they have learned to other areas in life. I began volunteering at the youth centers and after school programs in my neighborhood in order to reach the youth that may not have the means or opportunity to pay for a dance lesson. A friend who knew of my work referred me to Performing Arts Workshop. After meeting with Gary Draper and Aurora King, I found that it was the perfect program for me to reach more communities. The staff is so supportive and they truly have the student's best interest at heart. At Performing Art Workshop I am able to use my skills as a teaching artist to make a difference. Where can we see Amani in action? This summer Amani had the opportunity to partner with the Bayview Hunter's Point Center for Arts and Technology (BAYCAT) through Performing Arts Workshop. One of the youth at BAYCAT produced an amazing video on Amani's class, looking at the students who participated and how learning dance changed them. Marco Castro-Bojorquez, the Program Director at BAYCAT, had this to say about Amani's work there. "Amani had a big challenge at getting a large number of students into a journey that they knew little about it. At the end, Afro-Peruvian dance was totally embraced by the participants. Even though I had not requested them to perform for a large audience, they took the initiative to do so. It was very successful, and probably one of the most celebrated pieces of our open house! Another great aspect of the residency was the "community engagement" piece. During the residency there was a killing of a young person in our community and Amani took the initiative to engage in dialogue with the participants and the BAYCAT team. It was a moment to reflect and heal, and she was able to articulate a concise message from a cultural perspective with great relevance for our participants. That was a great moment!"
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What was your favorite arts class as a kid? Did you love dance, drama? Did you have an amazing teacher? Tell us on Facebook! In honor of National Arts in Education Week "like" us on Facebook and tell us what inspired you as a young person. We want to hear from you!
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