K-12 Arts Education Newsletter: September, October, November, December 2022

5th Edition 

Where education, creativity and joy collide!

Welcome back to school. Welcome leaves as we say goodbye to summer, hello fall, pumpkins, ghosts, the World Series, spice, family, friends, mini-vacations, elections, winter gardening, reading while watching the rain, the death of mosquitoes, brisk morning hikes, snow on the mountains. I do not know what your favorite season is, and they often blur together these days, but I do know that each moment is a time capsule in itself and a chance to listen, learn, teach, and explore. Please enjoy our interviews with two new AEAF Oversight Committee members, and one with a former arts educator turned RACC Board Member; this season’s community spotlight; the might of young composers; local events and resources; RACC’s new professional development opportunities for arts educators; RACC’s spring arts educator survey results; and more! Welcome back.

Share some joy.

Chanda Evans (she/her), Arts Education Program Manager

Highlights & Updates

  Spring 2022: RACC K-12 Arts Education Survey Results

We are pleased to report out our arts education survey results. Please click here for the full report. If you are interested in what action RACC is taking to meet the needs of our community, please click here. As always, we welcome feedback. Feel free to reach out to artsedu@racc.org. If you did not get a chance to complete the spring survey and would like to contribute, note that we plan on sending it out again in October. Please only respond once. Thank you!

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The Arts Education and Access Income Tax Fund (AEAF) helps support arts programing in six school districts within the City of Portland. As a reminder, this is not just about tax day in April. Your $35 supports arts education for youth all throughout the year. Look on social to repost, tag, and retweet #PDXaeaf #CreativeEconomy #WhereArtThouPDX #ArtsEducationForAll #RACCgrants #ArtCreatesHope #ArtEd

Your annual $35 helps to support arts education in six school districts: Centennial, David Douglas, Parkrose, Portland Public, Reynolds, and Riverdale. In 2012, residents of Portland passed this measure to provide one arts educator for every 500 students. The fund also supports community arts nonprofits through grants administered by the Regional Arts & Culture Council (RACC). For more information on the AEAF click here.  The Arts Education and Access Fund Oversight Committee (AEAF Oversight Committee/AOC) is the volunteer-run body charged with ensuring compliance with the 2012 measure. Their meetings are open to the public. For more information click here.

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CALL TO ACTION
Legislative Update: Arts Education for All Act & More

To learn more about Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici’s (D-OR1) Arts Education for All Act click here.

To advocate for H.R.5581 and to endorse click here. Currently, there are 51 co-sponsors in Congress.

To learn more about the Creative Economy Revitalization Act (CERA) introduced by  Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-NM3) click here.

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Where to go in our community?

Spotlight on the Latino Network

The Latino Network is a non-profit organization that has deep roots in supporting families, schools, and neighborhoods. One way this organization centers their outreach, advocacy, and engagement in school is through their participation in the Schools Uniting Neighborhoods (SUN) program through Multnomah County. Currently, the Latino Network is based in two school districts, Portland Public and Reynolds.  “SUN Community Schools offer opportunities that support healthy child and youth development and family stability.” Arts and culture are also part of the diverse programming offered to youth: “Studio Latino offers youth a safe space after school to participate in arts & culture classes from Latino/a role models. The model exposes youth to new art forms while increasing positive skills and behaviors, encouraging academic success.” (Quotes from Latino Network.)

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Arts Education Resources 

A comprehensive curated resource list by RACC’s Arts Education Program is available for download. Click here.

Mt. Hood, C. Evans, photo taken from the Portland Japanese Garden, 06/2022.

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Professional Development

Trauma Informed Care workshop series continues bi-annually

The Regional Arts & Culture Council, in partnership with Trauma Informed Oregon, is pleased to continue our workshops twice a year. Our first workshop will be on October 7, 2022. Look for an invitation in your inbox in the coming month if you are a K-12 arts educator in Multnomah County.

Subject -specific workshop for k-12 arts educators in Multnomah County

RACC listened to you! Thanks to our third-party survey, conducted in the spring of 2022 with K-12 arts educators in the City of Portland; we will offer professional development opportunities through a collaborative working partnership with several regional colleges and universities. We plan to convene this fall and offer our workshops in the spring of 2023. These will be free and available to all K-12 arts educators in Multnomah County. If you are not an arts educator but are interested to see if you can join, please reach out to artsedu@racc.org.

The Beat: Interviews from the Field

Meet James Dixon, Producing Artistic Director for BlaQ OUT, newly appointed volunteer member of the AEAF Oversight Committee, & Chair of the Equity Subcommittee. 

You are a new member of the AEAF Oversight Committee. What brought you to the table? Do you have specific goals in mind and opportunities you see with arts education in particular?

I have been a huge supporter of the Arts Tax [Arts Education and Access Income Tax Fund] over the years and had heard many complaints from fellow artists, teachers and just regular Multnomah County taxpayers. I have served on several arts boards so I was excited to dive in and offer some support to this special fund. Equity with representation is very important to me and is one of my personal specific goals within arts education. The world is changing so rapidly and art is a vital part of that change. As a working local stage artist, I just don’t see enough representation, and that starts with showing all our students that there is a place for them in the arts. Their stories, lives and identities matter and so does that of our educators. I would  also like to see more focus on closing the communications gaps, which prevent educators from providing quality education. I think much of that work starts with staying open to adjusting to emerging needs in our community, fostering more dialogue and remaining teachable as leaders.

What is the intersection of arts & culture in your life?

I am a Portland-based actor and director. I am also the Producing Artistic Director for the BlaQ OUT Theatre Festival, which is an unapologetically Black, Indigenous, Queer and gender diverse producing engine. I am also an ensemble member of Fuse Theatre Ensemble, which is partnered with BlaQ OUT through the OUT wright Theatre Festival.

Can you share with us something you are passionate about  that you wish more folx would notice?

I feel it is paramount to see the arts as a vessel for change, dialogue and collective liberation. When we limit access to  this valuable resource, we are essentially telling our fellow humans that their stories don’t matter. Art in any medium has the potential for personal growth and our students should have equal access. I challenge taxpayers to see this as an opportunity to invest in our future. If there are problems – let’s collaborate. If there is an obstacle – let’s tackle it collectively. It is life-changing for kids to see themselves represented and celebrated within our schools, in our galleries and on our stages. However, our largest obstacle is remaining in dialogue as a community and remaining flexible as emerging needs surface.

Jamesrdixon.com

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Meet Hana Layson, PhD, Head of Youth and Educator Programs at the Portland Art Museum, newly appointed volunteer member of the AEAF Oversight Committee.

You are a new member of the AEAF Oversight Committee. What brought you to the table? Do you have specific goals in mind and opportunities you see with arts education in particular?

The AEAF has made such an enormous difference in arts education in Portland. It provides essential funding to place arts teachers in public schools across the city’s six school districts, and to increase equity and access for all students. It also provides support for arts organizations who play an important role by collaborating with schools and classroom teachers to form Portland’s arts education ecosystem. I joined the Oversight Committee so I could help support this work. Every child deserves to experience high-quality arts learning throughout their time in school. I’m so proud of Portlanders for overwhelmingly voting to restore public funding for arts education when they approved the AEAF in 2012. I want to do whatever I can to ensure that arts education in our city continues to improve in quality and reach and to make a difference in the lives of all Portland students.

What is the intersection of arts & culture in your life?

Like (I imagine) many of your newsletter readers, I feel the arts sustain my mental health, nourish my soul, and provide a catalyst for some of the most meaningful experiences I have with other humans. I love my job—connecting students and educators with art at the Portland Art Museum and getting to collaborate with artists and community partners across the region. I’m grateful for all the ways I experience the arts in the rest of my life as well. My son—a senior at Franklin High School—plays jazz and blues piano, and to be able to sit in my living room and hear him play is one of the deepest joys I know. I’ve had a longtime love of dance of all kinds and I do it or watch it as often as I can (so grateful that live performances have come back!). I’ve also always been a reader and writer. 

For me, the most powerful arts experiences come from bringing different disciplines together. Every year in April, I collaborate with the PPS Visual and Performing Arts team to plan the HeART of Portland K-12 Student Arts Showcase, an event that celebrates the extraordinary work of arts students and teachers, and is a big thank you to Portlanders for the AEAF. This past April, we had Jefferson dancers performing in the Mesh exhibition, the Tubman Middle School clarinet choir playing in Isaka Shamsud-Din’s exhibition, and a closing, solo performance of La Llorona by a Grant High School freshman in front of Ideal PDX’s Frida and Diego Are Here. It was so powerful to see these student performers activating these visual art spaces and to see their work honored alongside the work of professional artists.

Can you share with us something you are passionate about that you wish more folx would notice?

Art in public spaces. One of the best parts of summer is outdoor music and dance. I loved Portland Parks & Rec’s first annual East Portland Arts Festival! And I love how public art is flourishing in the city, how I come across a new stunning or quirky or thought-provoking mural almost every day. Even small pieces like this one—words from James Baldwin carefully stitched into a bit of cloth that was stapled to a utility pole near Laurelhurst Park. I’m grateful for the moments of reflection these public art pieces provide and for how they invite us all to be in relation to each other. The organization Write Around Portland uses the wonderful phrase “Writing in community.” I appreciate how every art form has the power to activate that experience of community.

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Meet Nancy Helmsworth, artist, newly elected RACC Board Member, newly retired PPS arts educator (Capitol Elementary), and former AEAF Oversight Committee: Metrics Chair and Interim Chairwoman of the AEAF Oversight Committee.

What brought you to the arts?

I have loved art since I was a child. What really captivated me were   the sensory experiences like that of pencil/crayon on various papers, or the way paint is absorbed or not on certain surfaces, etc. I did plenty of inventive projects on my own and lots of paint-by-numbers. One thing that stumped me in the paint-by-numbers kit was that although the color selections were so beautiful, the paint was so gloppy and the brushes were poor quality and hard to control. That definitely influenced my teaching, where I made sure my students had good brushes, paper and quality materials.

What inspires you today as you move forward in your new role as a member of RACC’s Board?

As an artist and art educator, I have known about RACC for many years. I have looked to it as a clearinghouse for artists to find various local, regional and even national opportunities. That is a real service for artists. Through my time on the AOC, I learned more about RACC funding for the regional community. It is a unique and valuable organization. That said, I’m aware RACC does so much more than I yet know. I’m interested in learning how they currently support diverse regional arts, and how they connect to all citizens with various interests. Most importantly, I am excited to support RACC as they clarify and follow their improvement goals.

How have your previous experiences as an arts educator and AEAF Chairwoman helped inform how you see arts education programming in Oregon?

I cannot speak for the whole state of Oregon, but passing the Arts Education and Access Fund – aka The Arts Tax – was a huge plus for the area. The money fully funds one full time arts teacher for every 500 students in each of the districts. When I was the full time art teacher at Capitol Hill, I taught up to 400+ students. A full time specialist (art/music/dance/theater) can efficiently run a successful program for a whole school, giving the students a strong foundational experience.  At full time staffing, it is a very EFFICIENT use of money, and let me say two things:

1. Those teachers work really, really hard for those students, they wholly believe in their arts education mission.
2. There are some extremely high quality teachers funded by the Arts Tax, whose assignments have the broadest responsibility and heaviest workload in each school district. These teachers are to be valued as the “glue” in the school community, knowing and supporting all the students.

Sadly, many of these positions in my old district are being re-designated from full time to two half time positions with the goal of including music and visual art as two half programs. Having both music and art is a wonderful goal, but doing each as a half time program is the problem. This rarely, if ever, is successful for the students, as they cannot get enough time in either program to learn and develop mastery.

This occurs when administrators and non-teachers make staffing decisions without understanding what is happening in the classrooms and listening to the expertise of the educators.  The true experts, the teachers, are familiar with the national “best practices” (how often students get to go to their art class and how long is the session) and what is possible within the logistics of an elementary school. 

I had a principal suggest that 30 minutes was long enough for students to get something valuable done in an art class. She wasn’t kidding; she was ignorant and had the power to make that decision. This is a weakness in the AEAF implementation – that the quality of the opportunity in the implementation was never standardized and principals and other decision makers were never given guidelines nor trained.

There is a simple solution to this though…

One of my core beliefs is that organizations are best informed when they make sure they listen to everyone, especially those doing the actual work. Those folks, the teachers, have first-hand knowledge of potential and limitations that are key to art programming implementation.

AND, transparency is essential to do quality work.

•       Evaluate with honesty, withhold shame/blame, and use information/data to direct next steps.
•       Make sure any system changes work for all parties involved, don’t leave anybody out! 
•       Be ready to evaluate and do it again as needed.

No need to feel bad about it. New programs, new anything have unexpected consequences…just observe and correct. The AEAF is a fantastic educational resource. Portland is so fortunate to have this funding.

2022 Stepping Stones, Finding Way, Nancy Helmsworth.

What brings you joy?

Though there is plenty to worry about in this world, I love this question as it reminds me that there is still so much joy in my life.

I truly love art, and say that it has been my “best friend” through my whole life. I am so glad I committed to it – making it, learning more skills, sharing it with others, especially children (who reciprocally taught me) and observing it in galleries, sidewalks and museums.

Moving around in the beautiful Pacific Northwest is a pleasure – hiking, swimming, and appreciating the landscape. Family, friends and food. Ha – I guess that covers a lot. Thanks for asking.

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Featured Arts Organization: Fear No Music

An interview with Jeff Payne, Director of the Young Composers Project

Fear No Music’s Young Composers Project (YCP) provides groundbreaking composition training and mentorship for youth interested in composing as a professional career or life passion.  Students in grades 5 – 12 train with the region’s top professional musicians and composers, developing their new works through a series of workshops and public concerts. Scholarships are available.

When youth participate in the Young Composers Program, what do you hope they will take away from their experience?  

I want every student to experience how creating their own music is more rewarding, and more personally and emotionally fulfilling, than simply downloading and listening to what someone else puts on the internet.  The act of creating music helps a student understand who they are, how they fill a unique place in the world, and how they can share their emotions with others through sound.  The workshops also strive to create a community of music creators and performers.  Creating music can sometimes be a solitary undertaking, and by providing the students with live professionals to help in their writing processes, the workshops help build the bonds between them. 

How can students and arts partners help encourage schools to include music composition in the arts?

When we get ready to present the concert of works by young composers each year, I encourage them to invite their teachers, their neighbors, and everyone they know.  Letting teachers and others know about the amazing music that these students are creating is essential to developing greater support for creative work in the schools.  Writing music develops so many skills that are not confined to music:  attention to detail, understanding of complex systems, planning and following through, thinking outside the box, and envisioning and creating.  Those skills carry over into so many other areas of education.  

When you think of art, what inspires you? 

There are many art forms that inspire me, but I get most excited when I hear a new voice who looks at the world in a totally different way, whether that is presented through music, literature, theatre, art or some other form.  When I stop and say, “Wow, I’ve never heard anything like that before,” I want to know more about the person who created it and experience more of their work.  

Application for this year’s program are due Oct. 1st. Scholarships ae available.

Young composers & musicians from Fear No Music in Lincoln Hall at Portland State University, May 2022.

The Smithsonian American Art Museum and Renwick Gallery have wonderful fall programming. Many of these opportunities are virtual and free. Click here to learn more.

Direct from the Portland Art Museum website: The Poster Project

With generous support from the PGE Foundation, the Portland Art Museum has created a set of posters featuring works across the permanent collections. Posters are available free of charge to educators in Oregon and Washington. Hang them in classrooms, hallways, and libraries or take them out for specific activities and lessons. Our goal is to provide educators and students with artworks you can study and enjoy wherever you are.

Spanish-language PDFs developed with the support and collaboration of AB Cultural Drivers, LLC.

Beginning September 2021, we are proud to partner with Relay Resources to package and mail posters to you. Please allow 2-3 weeks for delivery. Click here to request a poster.

Be sure to check out artlook®oregon to find arts education programing for the summer. Over 250 arts organizations in the tri-county area are listed!

What brings YOU joy?

Questions for Humans, Gary Hirsch, mural.

Please share with us by emailing cevans@racc.org.

Please email the Arts Education Program about any summer programming opportunities so we may include them in our short summer one-pager of #newsforyourheART.

If you would like to highlight student work or a recent performance, please share with us! Thank you.

Workshops • Events • Lectures  

Hosmer Brook Trout, Analee Fuentes, 2019.

Here is a curated list of lectures, workshops, events, and conferences from local colleges and universities. If you know of an event, workshop, performance, lecture, or art exhibition that is coming up, please go here to submit an opportunity.

Chapman Elementary in NW Portland is famous for their Vaux Swifts. Join in this family friendly experience and be part of this beloved ritual, celebrated each fall. Click here for more information. FREE

Latinx Heritage Month– Celebrate from September 15th through October 15th.

Portland Latin American Film Festival at the Hollywood Theatre– SAVE THE DATE: Opening of the Annual Portland Latin American Film Festival at the Hollywood Theater in person on the big silver screen. September 28, 2022.

Oregon Humanities is offering the online fall course Humanity in Perspective (HIP), a free college-credit class and learning community for students 18 years or older in Oregon who face barriers to continuing their education. Learn more and apply.  Classes begin in early January 2023. Check out their free curriculum to use in the classroom. Best for grades 9-12.

FREE Museum Days– Go to the Portland Art Museum, the Portland Japanese Garden, or OMSI for free! Show your Bank of America, Merrill Lynch, or Bank of America Private Bank credit or debit card and a photo ID on the first Saturday or Sunday of the month for one free general admission ticket. Always scheduled on the first Saturday and Sunday of the month, continuing into 2023.

• October 1 and 2
• November 5 and 6
• December 3 and 4

Teacher Guides for Latinx Heritage Month (free)

Portland Textile Month- begins Oct 1. The theme is Regeneration

Portland Open Studios– October 8 & 9, 15 & 16 from 10-5pm (free) To see the artists click here.

Portland Film Festival– October 12-22, 2022 (various venues)

Portland Pumpkin Patches, Corn Mazes and Hayrides– Local fall family-friendly activities and events

**Some workshops/events/lectures might have changed due to COVID-19 or other reasons. Please check before you make plans.

The Scoop – Grow your Brain    

	For more information click here.
	Click here for valuable resources.
	For more information click here.
	For more information click here.
	For more information click here.

*Featured artwork from RACC’s public art database Canvas NW.

Designed by Andrea Blanco, RACC Graphic Design and Content Specialist.

Regional Arts & Culture Council, Arts Education Program.

We welcome feedback and suggestions. Please reach out to Chanda Evans (she/her), cevans@racc.org

Disclaimer: The Regional Arts & Culture Council is not held liable for the materials or images in this newsletter.

K-12 Arts Education Newsletter: June-July-August-September

Where education, creativity and joy collide!

Welcome to our short edition for summer! Below you will find festivals, exhibitions, events, and summer programming. While not a comprehensive list by any means, it simply gives you some flavor of what is out there. Do not forget that many school districts are offering summer programs, as well, and these enrichments might be right next door!  Highlights include programming from local arts organizations and of course links to make things easy for accessing arts & culture in our community.  We wish you a wonderful, healthy, safe and joyful summer 2022! We will see you in the fall. Thank you for everything you do in our community, our schools, our families- and above all sharing your joy and love of arts & culture. #WhereArtThouPDX #PDXaeaf #ArtsEducationforAll Be sure to share with your students and greater school community.

– Chanda Evans (she/her), Arts Education Program Manager

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Be sure to check out artlook®oregon to find arts education programing for the summer. Over 250 arts organizations in the tri-county area are listed!

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RACC Public Canvas NW resource– your guide to all things public art. Be sure to check out the new permanent work at the Multnomah County Courthouse and the Portland Building. It is free!

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A Quick snapshot of SUMMER CAMPS in and around the greater Portland area:

Many camps fill up quickly. Check out the ones below to see if any spots are still available.

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Oregon Repertory Singers Youth Choir summer camp, Summer Sing

is a day camp for students grades K–5. Each student will learn to read and sing music through fun games, rehearsals, and other activities. The week of singing concludes with a concert and party for all participants and their families. Summer Sing 2022 will be led by Coty Raven Morris, an experienced and sought-after choral director. Scholarships are available for those that qualify.

Summer Sing: West
Dates: August 1–5, 2022
Times: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Location: Cedar Hills United Church of Christ, 11695 SW Park Way, Portland, OR 97225
Cost: $350.00, financial aid is available

Summer Sing: East
Dates: August 15–19, 2022
Times: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Location: St. Philip Neri, 2408 SE 16th Ave, Portland, OR 97214
Cost: $350.00, financial aid is available

Vibe of Portland

is an arts and music educational nonprofit that aims to provide quality access to arts education for kids in the Portland Metro community. This summer Vibe has several visual arts camps at four locations throughout the city. In addition to visual arts camps, Vibe collaborates with Mt Hood Community College to bring Portland’s premier band day camp for middle and high school students. To check the dates, register or request scholarship support- check out vibepdx.org

High School Students: Check out Theatre with Portland Center Stage!

Immerse yourself in the confidence building fun of learning performance skills in a stimulating, supportive environment. Our classes are taught by top theater professionals who are excited to share their passion and experience.

The Film Center is now the Center for an Untold Tomorrow (CUT)

and is ready to walk hand in hand with the Portland Art Museum as PAM CUT into the future. Check out their summer offerings.

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Check out some of our local arts organizations featured in previous #newsforyourheart editions:

 

 

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Professional Development:  Future Opportunities for all K-12 Arts Educators

RACC contracted with a third party to conduct an in-depth arts education survey that went out to all K-12 arts educators at Centennial, David Douglas, Parkrose, Portland, Reynolds and Riverdale school districts. We are thankful to those of you that participated. Your insight was invaluable. If you were unable to fill out our survey, you are in luck. We will repeat the same survey in the fall so please look for that in your inbox. Because of the survey, we have gathered important data on what sort of Professional Development you are looking for from RACC. Top three suggestions:

1. Content specific Workshops
2. Learning with an artist
3. Collaborative workshops with an arts partner

RACC is in the process of making these free opportunities available to you in the next school year. We intend to continue our partnership with Trauma Informed Oregon and intend to hold two yearly workshops.

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What brings YOU joy?

Questions for Humans, Gary Hirsch, mural.

Please share with us by emailing cevans@racc.org.

Please email the Arts Education Program about upcoming opportunities so we may include them in our back to school edition Sept-Oct-Nov-Dec of #newsforyourheART

If you would like to highlight student work or a recent performance, please share with us! We would be more then delighted to post on our website. Please be sure to send us media release forms. Thank you.

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Workshops • Events • Lectures

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Here is a curated list of lectures, workshops, events, and conferences from local colleges and universities. If you know of an event, workshop, performance, lecture, or art exhibition that is coming up please go here to submit an opportunity.

June-July-August-September (just a taste of what is out there!)

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June is Pride Month: Portland Pride Waterfront Festival and Parade- June 18-19, at Tom McCall Waterfront Park. Click here for a list of local events

Portland area Farmers Markets– check out your local neighborhood market all summer long for food, music and connecting!

Dragon Boat Races– The Willamette River near the Hawthorne Bridge June 11-12 (free!)

Rose Festival Art Show– June 2-29

Juneteenth– Celebration of the 50^th anniversary in Oregon on Saturday, June 18

Good in the Hood Multicultural Festival – June 24-26 at King Park School Park

Chamber Music Northwest Summer Festival– June 25- July 31, program information here.

Flicks on the Bricks– watch some of your beloved films in Portland’s Pioneer Square on Fridays in July-August. Bring your low back chair and enjoy these free movies!

City of Portland– free events in July and August (approx. 40) all over the city including the East Portland Summer Arts Festival at Ventura Park

Japanese American Museum of Oregon– Na Omi Judy Shintani’s Dream Refuge for Children Imprisoned, an installation exploring the trauma experienced by children who have been incarcerated. Runs through Sept 4.

Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education– Judy Chicago exhibit June 2-Sept 23.

Nordic Folktales Reimagined Exhibit at the Nordic House-June 11-Sept 25 (free!)

42^ndAnnual Cathedral Park Jazz Festival– Check here for dates in July 2022 (free!)

St Johns Arts Walk– Saturday July 23, Come visit this vibrant neighborhood and celebrate with music, art, and food!

Original Practice Shakespeare Festival– check out their 2022 schedule for their free performances in local parks

Vanport Jazz Festival– August 5-6, Come celebrate year 5! ($$)

Pickathon– 3 day family friendly music festival August 4-7 (kids under 12 are free when coming with family)

Bridge Pedal– August 14 (and as we do, we get creative in what we wear!)

India Festival– downtown Portland on Sunday, August 14, a celebration of culture, music, dance food and more!

Montavilla Jazz Festival– August 19-21

Neighborhood street fairs– Check out local listings for dates & times. Vendors, food, drink, music, art

PNCA Design Week takes place in August. Check for more information on their calendar and events page.

Piano. Push. Play- Click to find the locations of pianos in our community for 2022  

Art in the Pearl, Fine Arts & Crafts Festival– Sept. 3-5 in the Northwest Park blocks (free!)

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The Scoop – Grow your Brain  

Click here for local LGBTQI resources. Click here for local youth specific resources. Click here for national resources.

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Regional Arts & Culture Council – Arts Education ProgramWe welcome feedback and suggestions. Please reach out to Chanda Evans (she/her) at cevans@racc.org

Designed by Andrea Blanco, RACC Graphic Design and Content Specialist.

**Featured artwork from RACC’s public art database Canvas NW.

**Some workshops/events/lectures might have changed due to COVID-19. Please check before you make plans.

Disclaimer: The Regional Arts & Culture Council is not held liable for the materials or images in this newsletter.

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Where education, creativity and joy collide!

The world has changed since I wrote my last introduction to #newsforyourheART. What continues is our mission to include, advocate, support and share arts and culture in our community. We have the opportunity to uplift one another through our voice, our vision, our instrument, and our craft to build bridges, connect, and establish ties that bind. As we enter a new season, we know that we can find joy in the sun, a loving nudge from a dog on a walk, a hug from a friend, an invitation to grab some coffee, and exploring our community, taking in the things we have missed. I invite you to share this newsletter. Share some joy.

– Chanda Evans (she/her), Arts Education Program Manager

Features & Highlights

New AEAF logo design by Vincente, a 3rd grade PPS student.

A Reminder that Tax Day is April 18, 2022

Do not forget to remind your neighbors, friends, and family to pay their yearly Arts Education and Access Income Tax Fund (AEAF) Click here to make your $35 payment. To read the recent OP-ED piece in the Portland Tribune by the Chairwoman of the AEAF Oversight Committee, Laura Streib, click here.

Your yearly $35 helps to support arts education in our six school districts- Centennial, David Douglas, Parkrose, Portland Public, Reynolds, and Riverdale. In 2012, residents of Portland passed this measure to provide one arts educator for every 500 students. The fund also supports our community arts nonprofits through grants administered by the Regional Arts & Culture Council (RACC). For more information on the AEAF click here.  The AEAF Oversight Committee is the body charged with ensuring compliance of the 2012 measure. Their meetings are open to the public. For more information click here. To pay your $35 online click here. Look on social to repost, tag, and retweet our social media campaign.

#PDXaeaf #CreativeEconomy # WhereArtThouPDX #ArtsEducationForAll #RACCgrants #ArtCreatesHope

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Legislative Update: Arts Education for All Act & More

On December 9, 2021 the American Academy of Arts and Sciences’ Commission on the Arts stated their case in a Congressional Briefing to two architects of the Arts Education for All Act (H.R.5581), Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR1) and Chellie Pingree (D-ME1). Please watch the video below. If you have not read the Commission’s report Art for Life’s Sake, click here.

Oregon Legislative Session: While H.B.4040 failed to go forward in committee in the 2022 short legislative session, we are hopeful that the importance of arts & culture in our state is not lost on our lawmakers. Please be an ally and support arts & culture and a sustained and fully funded STEAM education in our districts. Contact your state legislators.

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Meet Mario Mesquita (he/him/el), RACC’s Advocacy and Engagement Manager

#writingfromtheheART

Sitting in a local venue of limited yet purposefully crafted libations, in our corner of de-masked friends exchanging briefings of our day, we found refuge in our huddled convening, and I asked: Why is art important to us in this moment? Coming from across the globe, professional backgrounds, career choices, and a myriad of life experiences: heartaches, professional successes, lovers, chosen/family, motherhood, im/migration–what makes art so important that we should not forget?

Art is expression. It is a way that we are able to pass knowledge, tradition, culture, views, and identity to our future selves and next generations. It is a way that we can instill moments in history, learn from the past, and process our current events. Healing.

Art is a way of connecting with family (for better or worse), with our roots, and, for those of us who maintain semblances of connection to our unique heritages, with our nation/s of origin (both pre- and postmodern codified borders drawn out arbitrarily on a map–a design). Art is a way to understand our individual and collective paths. Whether it be through making, experiencing, or observing, through art we get a chance to explore ourselves, to better understand and relate to ourselves as children to adults; to connect with those around us; and to understand the impacts and influences in our lives. Like the corner in the local libation venue, art opens up conversation: how better to hold public space?  Art creates space, opens conversation, and can be the place where solutions arise.

“Art” is such a broad term–it encompasses creation from “hand-to-paper,” photography, painting, sculpture, performance, installation, digital recordings, to the literary “arts” (writing, language, and memory)–it seems to be humans’ ability to dream. We can make dreams into reality: capture moments in time, create worlds, envision solutions, magnify and highlight connections, and produce the simplest to the most elaborate designs.

We are solution makers.

It is in this capacity that artists–creative, sensate people–can dream big, think outside the box, and always take a seat at the solution-making table. Not just for cultural planning or skill sharing, but also on decision-making panels–county commission boards, foundations, PTA’s, and city, state, and federal governments. It is important to support and advocate for local and national initiatives that support the arts. We can’t divorce the reaches of art from our current context of an elusive “post-COVID” world, war, the environmental impacts of climate change, political upheaval–the arts offer back to us a space to dream, moments of respite, healing spaces. It is not a wonder that art is recognized for its benefits to mental health.

We need to continue to lobby, support, and advocate ensuring the arts are prioritized in government budget processes and that there continues to be legislation to serve and protect art workers, creatives, and creative economies. Nationally, the Creative Economy Revitalization Act (CERA) is still pending. CERA would get creative workers back into jobs by creating a workforce grants program within the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. The Department of Labor, in cooperation with the National Endowment for the Arts, would administer the grants to government, non-profit, and for-profit organizations. Priority would go to creative workers who became unemployed over the pandemic. Similar to the WPA Federal Project (the Works Progress Administration of 1935), the Creative Economy Revitalization Act would fund creatives to create art that is accessible to the entire community. This can include concert series, large-scale murals, photography exhibits, published stories, and dance performances.

In Oregon, the recent House Bill 4040 would have allocated $50 million to arts and culture entities negatively affected by the pandemic through a grant program administered by Business Oregon. In addition to the funding allocation, the bill would have also provided more specific programmatic guidance for arts agencies while developing the Live Venues and Live Venue Support Businesses program; unfortunately, this bill did not make it through our short legislative session. However, it is important to be aware that parts of the House Bill will be included in upcoming economic recovery initiatives. The bill is still a nod to the importance of the healing capacity of the arts, both for mental health and for economic recovery.

In the city of Portland, the Arts Education and Access Income Tax Fund (AEAF–commonly known by the misnomer “Arts Tax”) was passed by voters in 2012 to support arts education in our schools and arts organizations in our community. The measure funds one arts educator for every 500 students in six school districts in the City of Portland. They include Centennial, David Douglas, Parkrose, Portland Public, Reynolds, and Riverdale school districts. RACC administers grants back out to the community to fund local arts organizations and artists. You can learn more about how the AEAF benefits youth and our future by reading this recently published Op-Ed by Laura Streib, the AEAF Oversight Committee Chairwoman. As my friend said that night in our corner, art allows us “space for questions and possibilities. Art is the public’s record of who we are, can be, and will be.” Advocate, support, show up, and dream. Be a part of the change.  For questions about advocacy & engagement with/for/by RACC, please contact Mario Mesquita.

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Arts Education Resources 

A comprehensive curated resource list from RACC’s Arts Education Program is available for download. Click here.

Waterfall at Portland Japanese Garden. Photo by C. Evans.

Professional Development: Trauma Informed Care Workshop Series Continues

The Regional Arts & Culture Council, in partnership with Trauma Informed Oregon presents a series of workshops for arts educators. Please join us for our upcoming fourth workshop. This free event will be held in May/June remotely, as we continue to center health and safety for all. Look for our Eventbrite invitation in your inbox if you are a K-12 arts educator.

The Beat: Interviews from the Field

Meet Kellie McCarty, Theatre Arts Educator from Centennial High School

What inspires you as a high school theatre arts educator?  What makes high school a unique space in the realm of arts education?  I am inspired daily by my students and by my fellow arts teachers.  What we have all just experienced in the past 2 years has been more challenging than anything else in my 26 years of teaching.  I am in awe of the creativity and light that was still produced during such a dark time.  I saw students take risks every day, and I saw theatre teachers learn new skills to make theatre accessible to their students and their community.  It was a true test of the human spirit, and that continues to inspire me every day.   High school theatre is unique in that we are working with the artists of the near future.  They are going through so much self-discovery as to who they are themselves, and it is amazing to watch them blossom through the journey of creating other characters and sometimes living their shared experiences.  Their energy is infectious, and it either keeps me young or ages me very quickly.

What have you learned from your students? What do you want them to take away from your classes when they graduate?  I learn something new from my students every day!  I think the biggest thing I have learned from my students, though, is their ability to accept each other where they are.  I think in education we spend a lot of time focusing on where they are going, such that we sometimes forget to meet them where they are and love them in that moment.  My students remind me of that daily.  I tell my students on their first day in my class that I am not there to make them the “world’s best actor or technician.”  If that happens, great!  However, my job is to make sure they are more confident in who they are, and more empathetic to the world and those around them, by the time they leave my class at the end of the year.  If that happens, then I consider that a successful year.

What brings you joy when you teach?  Some of my most joyful moments as a teacher have been the little things.  Like when a student who has struggled with memorization finally gets through their whole performance without pausing.  On the other hand, a student who has worked hard on their performance is recognized at Regionals or State.  I am also always joyful when the curtain opens on opening night and I get to watch those kids shine in front of their family and friends.  I have been very fortunate in my career to have so many joyful moments to remember.

What brings YOU joy?

Questions for Humans, Gary Hirsch, mural.

Please share with us by emailing cevans@racc.org.

Please email the Arts Education Program about any summer programming opportunities so we may include them in our short summer one-pager of #newsforyourheART.

If you would like to highlight student work or a recent performance, please share with us! Thank you.

Be sure to check out artlook®oregon to find arts education programing for the summer. Over 250 arts organizations in the tri-county area are listed!

More Interviews from the Field

Featured Arts Organization:

Northwest Children’s Theatre and School, An interview with

 Leigh Mallonee, Education Director

Mission Statement: The mission of Northwest Children’s Theater and School is to educate, entertain and enrich the lives of young audiences.

What are three things you have learned through the years as you worked with youth in theater? They will take you on a more creative and grand adventure than you could ever pre-plan. We refer to our Explore Camps as a week of LARP-ing (live action role-playing). The teachers provide some kindling but the campers light the spark and fan the flames. The characters they

create for themselves, their explanations of “random” events, or their solutions to defeating the villain will always be more creative than anything the adults could think of.

The performance will work out. You may be convinced, based on the 7 weeks of dismal rehearsals that the performance will be a disaster, but when the lights come on and the music starts, they will transform from toads on a log to Michigan J. Frogs singing “Hello My Baby.”

Classroom Management (with a capital C and capital M) does not exist. Theater classrooms are organized chaos. You cannot just announce your four Class Rules and expect students to follow them. The best teachers craft a lesson plan (often on the fly) in which games and activities do the work for them, creating an ebb and flow following or modifying students’ energy levels, and creating moments for all kinds of learners and participants.

Is there a particular performance that resonated with you growing up? Did that experience inspire you to go into the arts? Growing up, my mother and I had a tradition to attend Balanchine’s The Nutcracker every Christmas season. No matter where we were living, we would find a production. I have seen elaborate performances at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia, touring productions in Tacoma, and simple community performances in Nyssa. It was a touchstone in my life; something that I knew would always be there. While it did not inspire me to become a ballerina, it did instill a love of performing arts.

What got me into the theater was my high school drama club. We had recently moved to a small town in Pennsylvania where I did not know anyone. I came home from school every day, crying, convinced that I would never make friends. My parents gave me the ultimatum that I had to join an activity. It did not matter what it was but if I did not pick one they would pick one for me. That day, I came home from school and announced that I had joined the Drama Club. They were shocked. I was shy; I had never set foot on a stage before; I had no obvious musical ability. They were convinced that I had joined Drama Club just to spite them; to fail on purpose and continue to be miserably alone. When they attended opening night of Charlotte’s Web, and the curtain went up and I came on stage, they practically hunched in their seats and covered their eyes. When they heard me deliver my first line as Narrator #1, their jaws dropped. “She’s good!” my step-dad said, but more than that, they were amazed at the transformation – from shy, socially awkward 9th grader to confident and LOUD actor. It was finding a group of silly, passionate, supportive, and equally weird peers, and a drama coach that focused our chaotic energy, that finally made me feel at home in the new school.

How does theatre affect/influence/inspire kids who might not go into the arts or become a theater performer/actor? Not every child who participates in theater will go on to star on Broadway or even be involved in the arts professionally. That is okay! I want classes at Northwest Children’s Theater to be a place for children to experiment, imagine, and explore who they are and what they like. Sometimes what they like will be what they are good at and they will pursue being a theater performer. Just doing something you enjoy, something that gets your creative juices flowing can have immediate and lasting effects. Theater is an art of imagination. It challenges you to think and problem-solve creatively. Unlike the realism of TV or movies, theater requires a different kind of resourcefulness and flexibility. It really taps into your creativity center. Creative dramatics teach children how to collaborate with others, forming a whole out of separate pieces. Musical theater teaches body and spatial awareness. The open-ended and uncertain nature of improv can increase tolerance of ambiguity or making new choices when faced with an obstacle. All of these skills are important whatever a child decides to pursue later on in life.

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Public Art & Arts Education: A Dive into the RACC’s Public Art Search, Public Canvas Northwest

By Danielle Davis, Public Art Collections Registrar

As we head into spring in the COVID-era, it can sometimes be challenging to find things to do to get out of doors and enjoy the sun. Fortunately, the public art collection located in our public spaces across the metro area can provide an opportunity for fun and educational experiences. Owned by the City of Portland and Multnomah County, the public art collection is made up of a wealth of diverse artwork that ranges from prints and drawings, to murals, to large scale outdoor sculptures. One such example is Space Plants by Tyler FuQua Creations, located near the playground in Verdell Burdine Rutherford Park. The artist describes the sculptures as “a family of intergalactic plant-like creatures” that have come to visit Earth. These whimsical and joyful touches to our landscape can provide the perfect destination for a sunny afternoon.

Space Plants, Tyler FuQua Creations. Photo by Jeremy Running Photography.

In my role as Public Art Collections Registrar, one of my biggest tasks is to maintain the data for the collection. From the minute an artwork comes into the collection I do what might be considered a mundane process of cataloging the piece—taking correct measurements (to the closest 1/8^th of an inch), making sure the media is recorded with the appropriate data standards, noting any condition problems, and on and on and on. While the word ”data” might make some run for the hills, one significant advantage is being able to provide tools that can help the public go out and see the art. One such tool is a free iPhone app called Public Art PDX. In 2011, developer Matt Blair offered to create an app that maps murals and permanent artwork in the public art collection using data that was made publicly available by the City. Both locals and visitors can use the app to discover art they never knew existed, or perhaps plot a walking tour in any part of town for that fun excursion in the sun.

Con Ganas!, Heysus and Carlos Chavez, mural. Located at 8638 N. Crawford St. in Portland.

RACC has also launched an online search tool that displays all the artwork in the collection. Called Public Canvas Northwest, this online tool provides information on the entire collection, featuring new additions as well as background on significant construction projects such as the Portland Building Renovation. This renovation allowed for the purchase of a group of 2D artworks located on the second floor, as well as the commission of several large-scale pieces. One prime example is We’ve Been Here by Kayin Talton Davis. This mural, located in the Lizzie Koontz Weeks Room, features portraits of black women who have made significant

contributions to the Northwest region yet whose stories have been largely forgotten. More information can be found here.  Keep an eye out for new work that will be coming to the building soon.

The Public Art Team at RACC works hard every day to commission, purchase, and maintain this collection to be able to share it with you in new and exciting ways. Take the time to peruse these virtual tools and get out there to explore!

For questions about the collection, contact Danielle Davis.

Workshops • Events • Lectures  

Over the River, Renee Zangara, painting.

Here is a curated list of lectures, workshops, events, and conferences from local colleges and universities. If you know of an event, workshop, performance, lecture, or art exhibition that is coming up please go here to submit an opportunity.

April-May-June

Mt Hood Jazz Festival, Mt Hood Community College- May 6-8^th 2022

April is Poetry Month! Check out these events

Literary Arts – Verslandia! Youth Poetry Slam Championship, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall- April 28 from 7-9pm

All Classical Portland

Annie Blooms

Powell’s Bookstore

May is Asian Pacific American Heritage and Jewish Heritage Month – check out local events/resources

June is Pride Month: Portland Pride Waterfront Festival and Parade- June 18-19, at Tom McCall Waterfront Park. Click here for a list of local events

42^nd Annual Cathedral Park Jazz Festival – Check here for dates in July 2022

Original Practice Shakespeare Festival – check out their 2022 schedule for their free performances in local parks

Piano. Push. Play – Click to find the locations of pianos in our community for 2022 

The Scoop – Grow your Brain    

	Click here for more info.
	Click here for more info on Juneteenth. Click here for local resources.
	Click here for more info on Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.
	Click here for more info. For local resources click here.
	Click here for local LGBTQI resources. Click here for local youth specific resources. Click here for national resources.

Regional Arts & Culture Council – Arts Education Program

We welcome feedback and suggestions. Please reach out to Chanda Evans (she/her) at cevans@racc.org

Designed by Andrea Blanco, RACC Communications and Advocacy Design Specialist.

**Featured artwork from RACC’s public art database Canvas NW.

**Some workshops/events/lectures might have changed due to COVID-19. Please check before you make plans.

Disclaimer: The Regional Arts & Culture Council is not held liable for the materials or images in this newsletter.

As 2022 begins, I know we have been working hard to connect and build community in our schools, districts, families, and friend groups. From Comprehensive Distance Learning to hybrid to in-person instruction, these months have been challenging, yet we have found strength and joy together and have been present in moments of sadness. There is no guidebook; however, we have learned to adapt.

We know that having arts and culture in our lives makes us better humans, more compassionate people, and enables empathy. As an arts educator, you have brought out the kid who was quiet, supported the youth who thought they could not succeed, and given the soon-to-be college-bound freshman the courage to take risks and challenge themselves. We applaud you.

Please feel free to share our newsletter with your school community, families, and students. If you have an idea for a story or want to highlight something that is going on in your district or community, please reach out. It is about joy!

– Chanda Evans (she/her), Arts Education Program Specialist

Features & Highlights

Vincente, Rose Waterfall, logo design 2021

The Arts Education and Access Income Tax is due April 15 

Your yearly payment of $35 helps to support arts education in our six school districts – Centennial, David Douglas, Parkrose, Portland Public, Reynolds, and Riverdale. In 2012, this measure was passed by voters in the City of Portland to fund one arts educator for every 500 students. The Arts Education and Access Income Tax Fund (AEAF) also supports our community arts nonprofits through grants administered by RACC. For more information on the AEAF click here.

The AEAF Oversight Committee is charged with ensuring compliance with the 2012 measure. Their meetings are open to the public. For more information click here.

Remind your neighbors, friends, and family to make their yearly $35 online payment here.

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Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR, District 1)

Arts Education for All Act (H.R 5581).

On Oct. 15, Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR, District 1), Chair of the Education and Labor Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Human Services; Chellie Pingree (D-ME); and Teresa Leger Fernández (D-NM) introduced comprehensive legislation to increase access to arts education. Bonamici hosted a virtual rollout and reception for her Arts Education for All Act (H.R.5581), which addresses equity gaps in access to arts education for K-12 students as well as youth and adults in the justice system. To learn more click here. To advocate for H.R 5581 and to endorse it, click here.  To watch our November 5^th interview with the Congresswoman, click here.

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Meet Carol Tatch (she/her), RACC’s Director of External Operations and Director of Philanthropic Innovation.
She shares with us a few of her many passions around the arts.

What is an early memory you have relating to the arts? Does a particular teacher come to mind?

Well, in the case of literary arts, I started reading very early and my mother ensured that we had excellent books to engage our imaginations. When I was in 4^th grade I played the flutophone, and that began my engagement with this musical art form. I now play the flute, oboe, viola, clarinet, and my new instrument friend, Lucinda, who is my cello. I have enjoyed the width and breadth of arts and creativity in a gazillion forms: seeing Rodin’s incredible sculpture at his museum in Paris, chasing original Renoirs to gaze at them (he did incredible work with countenances and light) — well, everything, including needle and culinary arts. If I was influenced by any one teacher the most it was my 6^th grade band instructor, who saw greater potential for me musically and moved me from the flute to the oboe, a more challenging instrument.

What brought you to philanthropy? What drives innovation?

A happy circumstance brought me into being a philanthropy professional. My first engagements with service happened with my mother, who was always volunteering and bringing her kids along…and we helped. We grew up caring for others and giving back. I was a volunteer and club leader during high school. Being in service has always been a value of mine. While in college, I started working for an international

Pictured with her is Mimicita, who came with the house!

 undergraduate, graduate, and professional research organization that has field stations in Central America, South America, and South Africa, as I was in a very different academic study practicum. By the time I finished with college, I was a convert from the sciences to being a philanthropic leader. I remain fully taken by how philanthropy, the love of our fellow humans, is a key component of our lives as humans. Innovation is always driven by the need for change and for things to “get better” in our communities. It is fueled by creativity and thinking outside the box—beyond what we know to what we need. It is amazing and humbling to combine the drives of both to create joy, love, understanding, and support.

What brings you joy when you think about arts/culture education?

What brings me joy are the “little things” that have become pivotal in my journey as I sought my own identity. My first instrument was a flutophone in 4^rd grade for our school-wide music program. In 5^th grade, every student received a recorder. So, by the time I was in 6^th grade, I had decided to play the flute in band (my mother played the clarinet in school—hence my own seeking of clarinet proficiency as an adult). It was a natural progression. My band teacher immediately moved me to an oboe, because he needed an oboist and that was that. I was put in a classroom by myself with the double reed, my first, a cup of water to soak it although he said that the mouth was best, and told to practice blowing through it. As an asthmatic, I learned a new way to breathe. It was fantastic. I still remember the first time I blew a true note with no squeaks. He and I were both excited.  I painted, drew, etc. in school. I was fortunate to have full-on engagement with art from kindergarten until I graduated. I am pained that arts education is now a point of negotiation. I want to lean into how this can be relevant here, now. There can be so much joy from arts and cultural engagement. We each have this within ourselves to be so much more.

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Arts Education Resources 

A comprehensive curated resource list from RACC’s Arts Education Program is available for download. Click here.

Bruce Orr, The Scrap Mural, 2019

Professional Development: Trauma Informed Care Workshop Series

The Regional Arts & Culture Council in partnership with Trauma Informed Oregon present a series of workshops for arts educators. Please join us for our third workshop this winter. This free event will be held in March and April remotely, as we continue to center health and safety for all. Look for our Eventbrite invitation in your inbox.

“At a time when students are recovering from the trauma and anxiety of not only the pandemic but the breakdown and failing of many of our institutions, the social and emotional benefits of arts education are more important than ever.” (Art for Life, 2021 Report by the Academy of Arts & Sciences)

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RACC will be conducting a spring survey for all K-12 Arts Educators in our six AEAF school districts.  The survey will help inform and shape our professional development opportunities which we offer free of charge.

The Beat: Interviews from the Field

Kelda Van Patten, a Visual Arts Educator
The da Vinci Arts Middle School, Portland Public School District

What inspires you when you teach arts education to your MS students? What makes MS unique in arts education?

Middle School students are definitely unique, in the most wonderful ways! They have a special sense of humor that is infectious. I laugh every day with them. They are energetic, emotional (in a very real way), and lively. As such, I try to keep my curriculum fun and engaging. My class is a time for my students to explore techniques and mediums, while developing their ideas and artistic voice. Adolescents go through so many critical changes as they come in from elementary school, and then, poof, before we know it they are eighth graders getting ready for high school! But really, it’s not “poof.” A lot happens during those three years—educational, artistic, and creative growth, but also social, physical, and emotional changes. It’s a period of intense growth and hormonal changes for many of them, which is just one reason why arts education is so important during these three years. In addition, art is a vehicle to teach so many different subjects in life, and especially a place where students learn that making art is a form of thinking. Art gives my students an outlet, a safe place to express their emotions, ideas, and thoughts. And they have so much to say!

Kelda Van Patten

What have you learned from your students? What do you want them to take away from you?

I learn from my students every day. There are fun facts, like which students would rather be a unicorn or a dragon and why (the why is always very interesting). Over time, I have also learned how important it is to listen to them, and what it really means to listen. There are stereotypes about middle school kids, but really, they are all so unique and different, just like adults. So many of them are mature, responsible, respectful humans, who are very serious about art and learning. However, they are still kids; silly, fun, mischievous, and with so much bubbling energy.

I hope my students remember art in middle school as a place where they could explore a lot of different mediums and techniques; a place where they could freely try out different subject matters that interest them and explore different styles in search of their artistic voice. I want them to think of middle school art as a time where they learned it is okay to fail, and that failure means you tried. I want them to remember how important it is to take creative risks, and what it really means to be mindful and respectful of other people. Even if they take away just one of those concepts, that is big.

What brings you joy when you teach? 

Over time I have learned how it is *everything* when I take the time to build relationships. I really strive to be a positive mentor and I would say this is what matters most in teaching, and it is something I have had to not only learn on an intellectual level but how to truly embody it. In the ’70s and ’80s, most of my teachers did not demonstrate this, so I grew up thinking teaching was more about relaying information and knowledge. Of course, I did have a few teachers who took the time to learn my name, and who were happy to see me, even when I was late or made it clear (with sighs and eye rolling) that it was not my favorite class. When I patiently demonstrate what it means to be mindful, and my students in return are patient and kind, THIS brings me so much joy. Of course, I am also so proud of the art they make, and their willingness to take creative risks throughout the creative and artistic process! As an artist who loves working with materials and learning new things, middle school art is so much fun to teach. Do not get me wrong, it is not easy. In fact, teaching middle school is one of the hardest endeavors I have taken on in my life, but it is also rewarding, especially on those days when I seem to ‘get it right.’ I have had to practice what I preach so to speak, and learn that failure is okay, and that the more I fail, the more I learn. This has really played out for me. LOL.

Gary Hirsch, Questions for Humans, 2015

What brings YOU joy?

We would love for you to share your thoughts with this question.

 cevans@racc.org. 

Student Art Showcase

K-5 Buckman Elementary, Portland Public Schools (thank you for sharing!)

More Interviews from the Field

Featured Arts Organization

An interview with Brian Parham (he/him), founder.

Mission statement: Rock Dojo is an award-winning online guitar program for kids. We do not just teach kids about the guitar; we teach kids how to rock out on the guitar! We help students.

When youth participate at Rock Dojo, what do you want them to take away from their experiences? What programs do you offer?

The Rock Dojo is an award-winning online guitar-learning platform for kids. We arose from my passion for sharing guitar with children. I believe in the power of rock inspiration. Our award-winning music education program offers students three paths to a black belt in rock: live online private guitar lessons, live online group guitar lessons, and video-on-demand guitar lessons. In addition, we offer live streaming concerts for school assemblies.

When students participate in the Rock Dojo, the number one skill they walk away with are transferable life skills because learning to play the guitar is challenging. Fortunately, the process of overcoming the challenge of learning to play guitar improves self-esteem and self-discipline, and gives kids transferable skills to last a lifetime. Plus, rocking on a guitar is just plain cool.

How can schools help encourage students to include more music (ROCK!) in the arts?

This past school year left many students isolated from their favorite music activities, but Rock Dojo is here to change that! The discipline that comes with playing the guitar influences positive youth development, engages life skills, and teaches youth the importance of academic resiliency, all of which are proven to help students make academic gains. The Rock Dojo ensures that music education is equitable for all students and those students have access to music education despite the challenges of distance learning. All you need is an internet connection, and students will become rock ninjas in no time!

Brian Parham

To that end, I invite schools to invest in music education for all of their students. Whether it is my arts organization, or any other music program, schools can do a better job of making music education more equitable and accessible to all of their students. They can invest in many ways, including innovative online music programs like Rock Dojo, live performances, and musical instruments for their student body.

When you think of art, what inspires you? (And who are your favorite guitarists?)

I grew up one of five children in a small coal mining town in Pennsylvania. My father worked in a coal power plant, and a single mother raised me. Suffice to say, I did not have many opportunities for personal development as a child.

Thankfully, learning to play the guitar changed all of that. The learning process taught me how to set goals and put in the work to achieve those goals. After beginning my guitar studies at the age of 29, I applied those same skills to every other area of my life. Since then, I have gone on to publish eight books, compose an album, build an award-winning small business, win a scholarship to Berklee College of Music, and so much more!

And that’s what I love about art. Art breaks down barriers. Whether sociological, economic, or cultural barriers, art can overcome any obstacle because creativity is the ultimate superpower. That is why I created the Rock Dojo, and that is why I dedicated the last decade of my life to pass that gift to the next generation of young musicians.

My top three all-time favorite guitarists change all the time, but I would have to say as of right now they are: Albert King, Slash, and Jimi Hendrix.

If any school officials are interested in learning more, they can book a Q&A with me at here.

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Public Art & Arts Education: Feature Part 1, Fresh Paint Temporary Mural Project 

By Salvador Mayoral IV, (he/him), RACC Public Art Senior Specialist

Over the past three decades, Portland has seen a proliferation of murals pop up throughout the city. Adding another dimension to the city’s public art landscape, murals provide a number of benefits to this region such as establishing a location’s identity, preventing unwanted tagging, and providing a platform for community expression. For example, last year’s temporary murals that appeared on the boarded-up windows of stores in the wake of pandemic lockdown and protests of George Floyd’s murder were a great example of this kind expression. Murals provide an opportunity to witness, to feel, and sometimes to heal our collective emotions.

The Regional Arts & Culture Council’s Public Art Murals Program contributes to the city’s public art ecosystem by providing permits and funding to artists, property owners, businesses and community organizations to create murals. My role as a Public Art Senior Specialist is to oversee this distribution of resources and identify other opportunities so that we can continue to support those interested in growing their mural-making practice.

Maria Rodriguez, Bizar Gomez, and Anke Gladnick, 2019

Molly Mendoza 2017

Munta Mpwo, 2019

One such opportunity that launched in the last few years is Fresh Paint, a professional development initiative aimed at offering emerging artists of color the chance to create a temporary mural. Fresh Paint is a partnership between RACC and Open Signal, a media arts center carrying a vision for community-driven media focused on creativity, technology, and social change. This partnership provides artists the space to explore working in the public art sector and incorporate new approaches and skills in their artistic practice and experience.

Since the program’s inception in 2017, ten artists have painted murals on Open Signal’s west-facing wall along busy Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Many of these artists work in different artistic practices beyond painting, such as graphic design, collage, illustration, and even breakdancing. The imagery these artists chose to present touches upon topics and themes of cultural identity, traditions, family, community, technology, and the empowering of youth. Some of these concepts are lighthearted, others are serious; but all carry a sense of joy and hope.

Rob Lewis 2018

Alex Chiu, 2018

Andrea de la Vega and Damien Dawahare, 2018

Limei Lai, 2020

One of our most recent artists, Limei Lai, said of her mural, Together, depicting three generations of women within a family: “The world is extremely beautiful and fun in the kid’s eyes; it is a complex chaos in the woman’s eyes; it is where the loved ones live in grandma’s eyes. The present and the past, the here and there, we are all in this world together, weeping and smiling and hugging, celebrating women’s lives and the world community. We dance with the unknown, changes, and aging, in the dark and in the sun, with the flowers and with the birds.”

For a database of public art in the Portland region, click here.

Workshops • Events • Lectures*  

Sign-up for alerts about lectures, workshops, events, and conferences from local colleges and universities. Here are a few highlights:

Liz Tran, A Heaviness

January-February-March 2022

Serving Portland artists and audiences, the 2022 Fertile Ground Festival, a program of the Portland Area Theatre Alliance (PATA), will be held January 27-February 6, 2022. Fertile Ground 2022 will be in a virtual format, and uncurated.

32^nd African Film Festival, February 2022 (various venues).

7^thAnnual Portland Winter Light Festival, February 4-12 (free). Walking tour of light installations across the city. Click here for more information.

The Kennedy Center, national partnerships convening. February 7-8, 2022, Any Given Child; February 8-9, 2022, Partners in Education Annual Meeting.  VIRTUAL.

2022 Biamp Portland Jazz Festival February 17-26, 2022 (various venues).

Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, and Mexican Modernism open at the Portland Art Museum, February 19-June 5, 2022.

Educator Workshop: Look Club at the Portland Art Museum, February 26, 2022. Subsequent dates will be: March 12, April 30, and May 14. 

Free days at the Portland Art Museum March 20th and April 24th ( Heart of Portland with Portland Public Schools).

National Art Education Association National Convention, March 3-5, 2022, virtually and in person in New York City.

45^th Portland International Film Festival (PIFF), March 5-14, 2022.

If you know of an event, workshop, lecture, or art exhibition that is coming up please go here to submit an opportunity.

*Please note: Some workshops/events/lectures might have changed due to COVID-19. Please check before you make plans.

The Scoop – Grow your Brain

We are often curious of what research is happening behind the scenes in the space of arts education. Take a look by clicking the images!

Thanks to all of our partners, supporters, and funders supporting arts education.