This Holiday Season, Give the Gift of the Arts
by Brian Wiedenmeier

As we approach the end of the year with all of its attendant hustle and bustle, please take a moment to consider giving a gift to Performing Arts Workshop. A gift of just $60 provides one hour of quality arts education to a class of thirty young people in some of the Bay Area’s most under-funded public schools and community sites. Now more than ever, it’s the intent behind a gift that counts. In a season where so many are making do with less, you can make sure a quality education is one thing young people in our community won’t have to go without. Making your gift in honor of a friend or family member will be a wonderful present! We also have beautifully designed t-shirts and tote bags for sale. Your purchase supports our mission to help young people develop critical thinking, creative expression, and basic learning skills through the arts.

Where the Wild Things Are: Teaching Dance in Urban Schools
by Karena Salmond

Teacher, Revised is an education blog written by and for teachers.  Read the latest post on arts education written by Workshop artist, Rachel Costello.  It details the ups and downs of working at one San Francisco site and validates the importance of our work. Click here to access the post.

Click here to read more about Rachel Costello & other Workshop Artists.

Workshop Unveils New Website
by Anne Trickey

Performing Arts Workshop’s website has a new look! Illustrated by photographs treated in our signature orange and gray, we have greatly extended the amount of information available. Potential partners can download a list of all our current site partners, as well as get an in-depth feel for our Methodology and Artistic Staff training. Administrators looking for help with evaluation or publication tools can both download Workshop examples, as well as see other organization’s models on-line by linking through our Resource Center. Friends of the Workshop along with staff and board are encouraged to contribute to the Arts Ed Igniter, a blog about issues and opinions related to our mission of helping young people develop critical thinking, creative expression and basic learning skills through the arts. Youth work examples are featured in the Youth Voices gallery, while Educators can purchase resources from our Merchandise page.

Thank you to everyone who helped put this together with sincere gratitude to Seth Goldstein of CANOPY, who was a great partner to work with on this project.

San Francisco’s Arts Community Celebrates Gloria Unti
by Brian Wiedenmeier

Supporters and students of Performing Arts Workshop from past and present came out to celebrate the work of Gloria Unti, who retired from the Workshop’s Board of Directors after over 45 years. Gloria pioneered our successful, hands-on, integrated approach, which has been replicated in programs around the country. The current Board of Director’s hosted the party in Gloria’s honor, and over 100 people came to pay homage to Gloria and celebrate her life’s work of providing young people with the education they need and deserve. The San Franciso Chronicle’s Leah Garchik (a former Workshop Board member) had a wonderful summary of the event in a recent column. Photos of the evening can also be found on the Workshop’s Flickr page. A special “thank you” to Donald Ohlen, Speakeasy Ales & Lagers, and Flowers Claire Marie for their donations that contributed to the evening’s success.

Volunteers Needed!
by Brian Wiedenmeier

The Workshop is seeking volunteers to help with events and administrative tasks. We are currently looking for individuals that are available and excited to help with a mailing opportunity in January 2010.

If you are interested please contact Brian Wiedenmeier at brian@performingartsworkshop.org. If you aren’t available during the month of January, but are interested in learning about volunteer opportunities in the future, please let us know. We are compiling a volunteer list and would be happy to contact you as opportunities arise.