<html><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space; "><div align="center"> <div topmargin="0" leftmargin="0" rightmargin="0"><!--Copyright (c) 1996-2009 Constant Contact. All rights reserved. Except as permitted under a separate written agreement with Constant Contact, neither the Constant Contact software, nor any content that appears on any Constant Contact site, including but not limited to, web pages, newsletters, or templates may be reproduced, republished, repurposed, or distributed without the prior written permission of Constant Contact. For inquiries regarding reproduction or distribution of any Constant Contact material, please contact legal@constantcontact.com.--> <div id="rootDiv" align="center"> <table style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); position: static; z-index: auto; " bgcolor="#FFFFFF" border="0" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody><tr> <td rowspan="1" colspan="1" align="center"> <table style="width:600px;" border="0" width="600" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="1"> <tbody><tr> <td valign="top" width="100%" rowspan="1" colspan="1"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="background-color:#f2a91c;padding:7px;" bgcolor="#f2a91c" valign="top" rowspan="1" colspan="1"> <table style="background-color:#FFFFFF;width:600px;" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" border="0" width="600" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody><tr> <td height="8" width="100%" rowspan="1" colspan="2"> <table border="0" width="100%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="content_LETTER.BLOCK2"> <tbody><tr> <td rowspan="1" colspan="1"><img border="0" name="ACCOUNT.IMAGE.99" alt="Arts Education Newsletter" src="http://origin.ih.constantcontact.com/fs066/1101655400290/img/99.jpg?a=1102618551208"></td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table style="background-color: rgb(242, 169, 28);" bgcolor="#f2a91c" border="0" width="100%" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" id="content_LETTER.BLOCK24"> <tbody><tr> <td style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" align="left"><font size="1">Issue No. 1</font></td><td style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" align="right"><font size="2"><font size="1">July 2009 </font><br></font></td> </tr> </tbody></table></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="padding:10px;width:180px;" valign="top" width="180" rowspan="1" colspan="1" align="center"> <table style="margin-bottom:10px;" border="0" width="100%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" id="content_LETTER.BLOCK16"> <tbody><tr> <td rowspan="1" align="center" colspan="1"><a track="on" href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=i6y4s7cab.0.t8g8q7cab.c8xo74bab.0&ts=S0396&p=http%3A%2F%2Fmichiganyoutharts.org" target="_blank"><img border="0" name="ACCOUNT.IMAGE.14" width="150" alt="MYA logo" src="http://origin.ih.constantcontact.com/fs066/1101655400290/img/14.jpg?a=1102618551208"></a><br><br><br><img border="0" name="ACCOUNT.IMAGE.96" width="150" alt="Michigan Department of Education" src="http://origin.ih.constantcontact.com/fs066/1101655400290/img/96.jpg?a=1102618551208"><br><br><br><img border="0" name="ACCOUNT.IMAGE.97" alt="MCACA" src="http://origin.ih.constantcontact.com/fs066/1101655400290/img/97.jpg?a=1102618551208"><br><br><br><img border="0" name="ACCOUNT.IMAGE.98" width="150" alt="Artserve Logo" src="http://origin.ih.constantcontact.com/fs066/1101655400290/img/98.jpg?a=1102618551208"><br><br> </td> </tr> </tbody></table></td> <td style="padding:0;width:420px;" valign="top" width="420" rowspan="1" colspan="1"> <a name="LETTER.BLOCK9"><table style="margin-bottom:10px;" border="0" width="100%" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" id="content_LETTER.BLOCK9"> <tbody><tr> <td style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:10pt;" styleclass="style_MainText" rowspan="1" align="left" colspan="1"><font color="#000000" size="2" face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif" style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:10pt;"><font size="4"><span style="font-family: Georgia,Times New Roman,Times,serif;">Welcome to Michigan's <br>Arts Education Newsletter</span></font><br><span style="font-weight: bold;">Your voice in arts education.</span><br><br>We're working together to foster initiatives that promote arts education for all of Michigan's students. In this, our inaugural newsletter, we introduce the four statewide organizations that make up this advocacy coalition, and invite you to join us in our efforts.<br><br>Please forward this email to people you know who care about arts and creativity in our schools, and encourage them to sign up for this mailing list (use the link at the bottom)! We'll keep our subscribers abreast of important policy initiatives, news and information.<br><br>We also invite you to submit articles for consideration in future issues. We want to hear what's going on with you. Send an email to <a href="mailto:director@michiganyoutharts.org" target="_blank">Kim Dabbs</a> for more information.<br><br>Welcome!<br></font></td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table style="margin-bottom:10px;background-color:#f2a91c;" bgcolor="#f2a91c" border="0" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody><tr> <td height="1" rowspan="1" colspan="1" align="left"> </td></tr> </tbody></table></a><a name="LETTER.BLOCK20"><table style="margin-bottom:10px;" border="0" width="100%" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" id="content_LETTER.BLOCK20"> <tbody><tr> <td style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:10pt;" styleclass="style_MainText" rowspan="1" align="left" colspan="1"><font color="#000000" size="2" face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif" style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:10pt;"> <div style="color:#000000;font-family:Georgia,Times New Roman,Times,serif;font-size:14pt;" styleclass="style_EventName"><font color="#000000" size="4" face="Georgia,Times New Roman,Times,serif" style="color:#000000;font-family:Georgia,Times New Roman,Times,serif;font-size:14pt;">Michigan Youth Arts<br></font></div> <div><br></div> The Michigan Youth Arts Association (MYAA) is a statewide arts education association that serves as a collaborative of discipline-specific arts education organizations. The programming of MYAA consists of the Michigan Youth Arts Festival, statewide arts education awards, arts education advocacy, leadership roundtables, and funding programs for youth, schools and arts education professionals throughout Michigan. <br><br>MYAA offers statewide arts education programming, strengthens arts and culture by establishing and facilitating partnerships between arts education organizations, increases the visibility of quality arts education in Michigan schools, nurtures the creative talents of Michigan's youth, encourages their present and future participation in the arts, and provides them with opportunities to explore careers in the arts.<br><br>As we look towards the future of arts education in our schools, MYAA has made the commitment to come together with the other three statewide arts education organizations to move forward policy initiatives that create and sustain arts education curriculum for all students. The first Arts Education Policy Forum is being convened by Michigan Youth Arts in August at Interlochen Center for the Arts, which will develop key strategies to move these vital policies forward in Michigan. <br><br>MYAA believes in collaboration at every level and this newsletter is just one of many new collaborative initiatives that will move arts education forward.<br><br><div style="text-align: right;">Kim Dabbs, Executive Director<br>Michigan Youth Arts<br><a href="mailto:director@michiganyoutharts.org" target="_blank">director@michiganyoutharts.org</a><br>(248) 649-8888<br></div></font></td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table style="margin-bottom:10px;background-color:#f2a91c;" bgcolor="#f2a91c" border="0" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody><tr> <td height="1" rowspan="1" colspan="1" align="left"> </td></tr> </tbody></table></a><a name="LETTER.BLOCK17"><table style="margin-bottom:10px;" border="0" width="100%" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" id="content_LETTER.BLOCK17"> <tbody><tr> <td style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:10pt;" styleclass="style_MainText" rowspan="1" align="left" colspan="1"><font color="#000000" size="2" face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif" style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:10pt;"> <div style="color:#000000;font-family:Georgia,Times New Roman,Times,serif;font-size:14pt;" styleclass="style_EventName"><font color="#000000" size="4" face="Georgia,Times New Roman,Times,serif" style="color:#000000;font-family:Georgia,Times New Roman,Times,serif;font-size:14pt;">The Michigan Council for Arts<br>and Cultural Affairs<br></font></div> <br>The Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs (MCACA) is a state government agency, currently within the Department of History Arts and Libraries. Our primary function is to facilitate adjudication, distribute and monitor state and National Endowment for the Arts grant funds for arts organizations, schools and municipalities for a wide variety of arts and culture activity. We also fulfill our mission to "encourage, develop and facilitate an enriched environment of artistic, creative, cultural activity in Michigan" through partnerships with Michigan's leading arts organizations such as the Michigan Youth Arts Association. <br><br>MCACA has provided funds for thousands of arts education projects over the years. Some direct grants have gone to schools for artist residencies involving amazing artistic groups such as the Eisenhower Dance Ensemble and Vincent York's Jazzistry. We support education programs at museums, theatres, zoos, community art schools and local art agencies. We also help bring high quality, affordable professional development opportunities for art educators such as the Lincoln Center Institute's Summer Institute in partnership with Kalamazoo RESA / Education for the Arts. Unfortunately, we can't offer programs or accept applications for fiscal year 2010 until the state budget for FY10 is determined. <br><br>Find a complete list of this year's awards and links to arts and culture organizations' education opportunities at <a track="on" href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=i6y4s7cab.0.7mgq87cab.c8xo74bab.0&ts=S0396&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.michigan.gov%2Farts" linktype="link" target="_blank">www.michigan.gov/arts</a> or by calling (517) 241-4011.<br><br> </font></td> </tr> </tbody></table><table style="margin-bottom:10px;background-color:#f2a91c;" bgcolor="#f2a91c" border="0" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody><tr> <td height="1" rowspan="1" colspan="1" align="left"> </td></tr> </tbody></table></a><a name="LETTER.BLOCK18"><table style="margin-bottom:10px;" border="0" width="100%" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" id="content_LETTER.BLOCK18"> <tbody><tr> <td style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:10pt;" styleclass="style_MainText" rowspan="1" align="left" colspan="1"><font color="#000000" size="2" face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif" style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:10pt;"> <div style="color:#000000;font-family:Georgia,Times New Roman,Times,serif;font-size:14pt;" styleclass="style_EventName"><font color="#000000" size="4" face="Georgia,Times New Roman,Times,serif" style="color:#000000;font-family:Georgia,Times New Roman,Times,serif;font-size:14pt;">The Michigan Department of Education<br></font></div> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Teaching, Learning and the Arts<br></span><br>If you have been following Superintendent Mike Flanagan's podcasts or tweets, you are aware of the Michigan Department of Education's (MDE) focus on re-imagining the pre-K-12 educational system in Michigan to attain substantial and meaningful improvement in academic achievement for all students/children with primary emphasis on high priority schools and students. <br><br>MDE's Curriculum and Instruction Division is responsible for leadership in arts education content, instruction, and assessment. Its role is to promote instructional excellence to increase district, school, and student achievement of Michigan's K-12 curriculum. The division's renewed focus on instruction with primary emphasis on high priority schools and students reflects a more balanced approach to teaching and learning that begins with those with greatest need. However, it also reflects a shift in funding and accountability from the state to federal levels as a result of declining state funding to support the work of the Michigan Department of Education. <br><br>Superintendent Flanagan and the State Board of Education remain committed to the arts because they foster the creativity and innovation that will drive Michigan's economic revival into the 21st century. Flanagan publicly affirms that the arts curriculum, once considered as optional for students, now must be taught to all. <br><br>The Curriculum and Instruction Division is working together with educators and partners across the state to initiate and support needed improvements at an accelerated rate. This is not a time for "business as usual" in Michigan. It is clear that the rate of change needs to accelerate or Michigan will fall further behind educationally and economically. Michigan's educators are up to the challenge and we look forward to working together in new ways to achieve this vision. <br><br>Summer 2009 learning opportunities aligned with this vision include:<br><ul><li>June 21-24, 2009 <span style="font-weight: bold;">Second Look: Visual Arts Standards, Benchmarks, and Grade Level Content Expectations</span> (Public review session scheduled for 6/24, 2-4 p.m. To participate contact: <a href="mailto:mccallc@michigan.gov" target="_blank">mccallc@michigan.gov</a>)</li><li>August 5-6, 2009 <span style="font-weight: bold;">Second Look: Music Standards, Benchmarks, and Grade Level Content Expectations</span> (Participants are still being recruited. Public review session is scheduled for 8/6, 2-4 p.m. To participate contact: <a href="mailto:mccallc@michigan.gov" target="_blank">mccallc@michigan.gov</a>)</li><li>August 18-21, 2009 <span style="font-weight: bold;">Teaching for Learning Institute: Igniting Sparks of Genius</span> featuring keynoters and strand 7 & 8 leaders Robert and Michele Root-Bernstein, authors of <span style="font-style: italic;">Sparks of Genius</span>. To register visit: <a track="on" href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=i6y4s7cab.0.6mgq87cab.c8xo74bab.0&ts=S0396&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gomiem.org" linktype="link" target="_blank">www.gomiem.org</a></li></ul> <br>To stay abreast of arts education news and resources from the Michigan Department of Education, the state, and nation, use the following tools:<br><ul><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">ArtsEdNews</span> - free <a track="on" href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=i6y4s7cab.0.5mgq87cab.c8xo74bab.0&ts=S0396&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.michigan.gov%2Fdocuments%2FARTS_129853_7.pdf" linktype="link" target="_blank">listserv</a> available in digest version. <br></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Michigan Merit Curriculum Visual, Performing, and Applied Arts High School <a track="on" href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=i6y4s7cab.0.4mgq87cab.c8xo74bab.0&ts=S0396&p=http%3A%2F%2Fmivpaa.blogspot.com%2F" linktype="link" target="_blank">Blog</a></span> which includes a calendar of professional development opportunities in the arts <br></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Connect the Dots Michigan Imagination Creativity Innovation <a track="on" href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=i6y4s7cab.0.angq87cab.c8xo74bab.0&ts=S0396&p=http%3A%2F%2Fcthed.blogspot.com%2F" linktype="link" target="_blank">Blog</a></span> which focuses on making creativity, innovation, and imaginative learning catalysts for prosperity in Michigan<br></li></ul> <br></font></td> </tr> </tbody></table><table style="margin-bottom:10px;background-color:#f2a91c;" bgcolor="#f2a91c" border="0" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody><tr> <td height="1" rowspan="1" colspan="1" align="left"> </td></tr> </tbody></table></a><a name="LETTER.BLOCK22"><table style="margin-bottom:10px;" border="0" width="100%" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" id="content_LETTER.BLOCK22"> <tbody><tr> <td style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:10pt;" styleclass="style_MainText" rowspan="1" align="left" colspan="1"><font color="#000000" size="2" face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif" style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:10pt;"> <div style="color:#000000;font-family:Georgia,Times New Roman,Times,serif;font-size:14pt;" styleclass="style_EventName"><font color="#000000" size="4" face="Georgia,Times New Roman,Times,serif" style="color:#000000;font-family:Georgia,Times New Roman,Times,serif;font-size:14pt;">ArtServe Michigan<br></font></div> <br> ArtServe Michigan has faced the continuing economic crisis with a focus on opportunity and promise, and the need to build its statewide grassroots network of advocates to speak out for the importance of arts, culture and arts education. The timing is more important than ever for us to unify our voices in support of funding and policies that invest in these tools that nurture innovation and creativity - tools that are essential to rebuilding Michigan as a competitor on the global stage. We believe in the power of integrated arts education programs in the pre-K through 12 years to shape young minds to be innovative problem-solvers of the future while gaining a love and appreciation for the arts. And, we are committed to leading advocacy initiatives that will maximize this moment of opportunity facing Michigan.<br> <br> As the Michigan representative to the Kennedy Center Alliance for Arts Education Network (KCAAEN), ArtServe was invited to submit a grant application under the National Partnerships program to support arts education initiatives in Michigan. In late May, ArtServe submitted a proposal requesting support to develop a new Michigan Arts Education Tool Kit to strengthen and update the resources available to advocates in communities and school districts across the state. The tool kit will be developed using the new 2009 KCAAEN Arts Education Advocacy Tool Kit as a model but tailored to reflect unique dynamics and circumstances in Michigan. This new resource will be released in spring 2010 with training and promotional opportunities to be provided as part of ArtServe's 2010 Arts and Culture Advocacy Event. It will also be made available in DVD format and on ArtServe's website (watch for our new website to be launched in August) to make it widely available to arts education advocates statewide. If you have ideas for the tool kit project, please contact Mike Latvis, Director of Public Policy at <a href="mailto:mike@artservemichigan.org" target="_blank">mike@artservemichigan.org</a> or 248-379-5897.<br> <br> Last month, I had the opportunity to participate in the May Festival at the Brookside School at Cranbrook Educational Community - a program celebrating the array of fine arts programs and student creativity nurtured in this academic environment. The event was a joyful celebration of the creative spirit nurtured by the school's mission, leadership, teachers and parents. In that moment, I was reminded that these are the joys that all children in Michigan should have the opportunity to experience - the freedom of artistic expression and the pure joy of creating art that is uniquely theirs. Each of us needs to speak up to ensure that all children have access to these experiences that shape their futures in such powerful ways!<br> <br> <br><div style="text-align: right;"> Jennifer H. Goulet, President<br> ArtServe Michigan<br> <a href="mailto:jennifer@artservemichigan.org" target="_blank">jennifer@artservemichigan.org</a><br> 248-912-0760 ext. 2#<br> </div></font></td> </tr> </tbody></table></a></td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td height="10" width="100%" rowspan="1" colspan="3"> </td> </tr> </tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></div></div> </div></body></html>