New Directions for NYFA's Education Programs
Penelope Dannenberg, Director of Programs, NYFA
Since NYFA's inception in 1971, it has been an active supporter of and participant in the growth of the arts, and has helped artists to be an integral part of public education. With initial support from the NEA and, for decades since, from the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA), NYFA has provided funding for artists in residence in schools throughout New York State. It has been gratifying to see the work that has been done by artists in the schools during this time.
The focus of the arts in education commitment by NYSCA has been changing in recent years, as has NYFA's own programmatic focus. Accordingly, as of July 2003, NYFA will no longer make grants for either school residencies or technical assistance to schools seeking to develop these programs. Deadlines previously announced for Artists in the School Community (April 2, 2003) and the Educational Technical Assistance Program (July 1, 2003) grants are therefore withdrawn. No further applications can be accepted. Artists and schools interested in similar programs should contact NYSCA's Arts in Education department directly.
NYFA has not, however, abandoned its commitment to the importance of the artist in the schools. We will continue school-based community residencies that involve artists working with public schools and in their local communities. We will also continue to provide information for artists who teach through NYFA's Information and Research department, including NYFA Source and NYFA Quarterly. To learn more about how NYFA helps teaching artists, call 212.366.6900 x214 or visit www.nyfa.org.
We look forward to continued work with the educational community in developing new and inventive ways to provide intellectually stimulating and inspiring experiences.
Empire State Partnerships' Summer Seminar Program
Philip Alexander, Program Director, ESP Professional Development Program
The Empire State Partnerships' (ESP) Summer Seminar—a professional development retreat for arts administrators, arts educators, teaching artists, and school administrators—will take place at Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, NY, from July 14-17. The seminar is part of a program that aims to build capacity and sustainability within the arts in education field.
The schedule for this year's Summer Seminar includes workshops, lectures, peer-to-peer working groups, consultation meetings, networking opportunities with arts educators and administrators, and more. Faculty will be drawn from experts in arts in education from New York State and across the country.
Initially founded by the New York State Education Department and the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA), ESP aims to identify, support, and develop potential collaborations between cultural organizations and schools. ESP's primary areas of focus are twofold: awarding grants to cultural organization/school partnerships in an effort to improve arts in education programs in New York State, and maintaining the Professional Development Program, which organizes the Summer Seminar and other programs during the year.
For more information on how to get involved with the Summer Seminar, call 212.769.7031 or visit www.espartsed.org.
