Arts In Education
Students at Alyce Taylor Elementary work on their projects
What is Arts in Education?
Brought to our local schools by Sierra Arts Foundation, Sierra Arts in Education is an artist residency program providing an arts curriculum and a professional artist to our students in the elementary level classrooms throughout the year. The curriculum includes all five disciplines into the program. These include:
- Creative Writing and Poetry
- Dance and Movement
- Drama
- Music
- Visual Arts (painting, drawing, sculpture and photography)
Why are the Arts Critical to Education?
- The arts connect. When the arts become central to learning, schools and other settings become a place of discovery.
- The arts transform. Engagement in the arts nurtures the development of cognitive, social and personal skills in young people.
- The arts challenge. For those young people who outgrow their established learning environments, the arts can offer real opportunities for unlimited growth.
- The arts support. Artists in the program are all working professionals who are compensated for their time. If you would like to contribute, please contact us.
How are artists selected for Arts in Education?
Completed elementary student's work
All our artists in the program are professional working artists who are compensated for their time, energy and commitment to our children. Artists are selected from the Nevada Arts Council’s Artist in Residencies roster and through an open call to artists that includes an interview and portfolio review.
Who endorses this program?
Arts in Education is endorsed by the Washoe County School District, The Nevada Arts Council and The National Endowment for the Arts.
What role does Sierra Arts play?
Sierra Arts is the local arts organization dedicated to presenting and promoting cultural events, arts in educations, art in public places and other arts programs as needed in our community. Sierra Arts leads our community in assessing the cultural needs of our region and developing new programs that make this a better place in which to live. The arts express the passions and perspectives of the people who live in this community. Sierra Arts is dedicated to encouraging and enabling creativity in our community.
Arts in Ed students hard at work
Who funds Arts in Education?
Many thanks to our corporate sponsors and Sierra Arts patrons who make this program possible. Each year the funding structure changes slightly due to the capacity of the other non-profit foundations and donor needs. Donations have been received for this program from Arthur & Mae Orvis Foundation, Nell J. Redfield Foundation, U.S. Department of Education, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, Nevada Arts Council, National Endowment for the Arts and Sierra Arts Foundation.
If you feel that the arts are an essential part of your children’s education, please consider becoming a patron of Sierra Arts, or making a donation directly to the Arts In Education program. Send a check or money order to: Sierra Arts – Arts In Education Program at 17 South Virginia Street, Suite 120, Reno, Nevada 89501. You may also donate with a credit card by calling Sierra Arts at 775-329-ARTS/2787 or online by clicking the Donate Now link at the top of this page.
For more information about Arts in Education please call or email Stacey Spain, Program Director // stacey@sierra-arts.org.
Changing Education Through the Arts
Hundreds of Teachers in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area learn ways to teach in, through, and about the arts. School Administrators learn ways to harness the power of the arts for learning. Teaching Artists learn ways to be more effective in their work with students and teachers.
Watch the video on the Kennedy Center website for more information.
