Fine Arts and the Iowa Core: February 2012

“This proposal also would work to expand the Iowa Core into other areas that have been neglected for too long, such as music and other fine arts, foreign languages, entrepreneurial education, physical education, applied arts, and character education. “

This statement from the Brandstad-Reynolds “Administrative Recommendations for World-Class Schools” is the culmination of several years of dedicated work by many fine arts educators from the state of Iowa. The following article by IAAE Board Member Leon Kuehner will give a brief history of the fine arts involvement of the Iowa Core process. Read More...

STEM to STEAM

If you received the IAAE newsletter this week, you have links to several videos and articles about the initiative to add the Arts to the Science/Technology/Engineering/Mathematics education initiative. If not, visit our Advocacy page...

Architecture by Children

The Architecture By Children Drawing Contest theme for this year is Historic Iowa Architecture, and encourages students to draw an historic Iowa building that is meaningful to them.  Historic buildings are typically 50 years old or more.

Two statewide winners (one from each age group; K-3 and 4-6) will each receive a cash prize of $100.  Two regional winners (one from each age group) will receive a cash prize of $50 each.  To see what region you belong to, please click here.

Entries must be received by April 13, 2012 and must be on an official entry form, available along with printable posters on the Iowa Architectural Foundation website.

“Snapshot Iowa,” a Photography Contest for 7th – 12th graders

The second annual “Snapshot Iowa,” a photography contest for 7th – 12th graders, has been announced.  This program is sponsored by the Architecture in the Schools Committee of the Iowa Architectural Foundation, and is open to all Iowa students in these grades. 

Download a flyer for your use which explains dates, rules and prizes for this contest.  One $100 cash prize will be awarded to each of two categories: 7th – 9th Grade and 10th – 12th Grade.  The committee reserves the right to award Honorable Mention recipients as well.

The Iowa Architectural Foundation [IAF] is the only non-profit organization in the state to promote awareness and appreciation of architecture and design.  As a part of the IAF, the Architecture in Schools Committee strives to create programs for Iowa students to instill in them an appreciation of good design.  Visit their website at www.iowaarchfoundation.org to learn more about the programs available to teachers and the public.

Iowa Core and the Arts

Here are the main sites for the Iowa Core: http://educateiowa.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2485&Itemid=4602

and Arts Education in Iowa http://educateiowa.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=702:arts&catid=449:content-areas&Itemid=2746


and download The K-8 General Music Iowa Core Alignment.pdf from the IAAE Legislative Resources page.

Questions for Candidates and Sample Platform Statement

1. What kinds of federal initiatives would you develop in order to support public/private partnerships to help cities and states expand creative economies and create new jobs—from music, arts, and architecture to computer software, games, and film?
 
2. What specific federal education policies would you promote to ensure our children receive a well-rounded education with comprehensive arts education in their local schools?
 
Go to your Caucuses and get support for the following:

Sample Platform Statement:
   “The Arts: Investment in the arts is an investment in our creativity and cultural heritage, in our diversity, in our communities, and in our humanity. We support art in schools and increased public funding for the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities. We support the cultural exchange of artists around the world, spreading democracy and renewing America’s status as a cultural and artistic center.”

Exploring the Past: Archaeology in the Upper Mississippi River Valley

Walking beside thousand-year-old burial mounds, flaking raw stone into tools, learning how potsherds tell us about human behavior, and understanding how humans adapt to complex, ever-changing environments­the 2012 NEH Summer Institute features all this and more. Read more about this professional development opportunity...