The Summer Institute is a training event modeled on national Best Practices in Arts Education, providing professional development in disability, arts and education for teaching artists, classroom teachers, arts therapists, arts and school administrators, and parents of students with disabilities.
The 2nd Annual Summer Institute
ART: BE the Thing! How do we effectively develop, enhance, and refine our teaching toolkit?
"The VSA arts of Georgia Summer Institute gave me the opportunity to build lasting relationships with other teaching artists as well as excited me about the impact that I can make in the community." -
Amber Nash Education Director Dad's Garage Theater Company
The Summer Institute was inaugurated by VSA arts of Georgia in 2005, and is an annual event that offers ongoing professional development and capacity building for individuals and organizations working in arts education.
For more information about the Summer Institute contact:
Ms. Jaehn Clare, M.A.
Director of Artistic Development
VSA arts of Georgia
57 Forsyth St. NW, Suite R-1
Atlanta, GA 30303
The schedule is subject to change without notice, and is being updated regularly in an effort to accurately reflect institute content.
MONDAY, July 24
5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Welcome Reception & Overview of the Institute An informal gathering to kick-off the event. Participants will have the opportunity to meet each other and the presenters, and to experience the first in a series of hands on art making activities. Study Groups will also be assigned.
TUESDAY, July 25
8:30 a.m. Good Morning / Overview of the Day
9:15 - 10:15 a.m. Core Session #1: In School I Learned: Using the Arts to Engage Students
Jenny Welty-Green leads a participatory session introducing improvisational activities designed to foster dialog and discussion.
10:30 am - 12:00 noon Core Session #2: Arts Assessment: Understanding and Developing an Arts Assessment Plan
The nuts and bolts of sassessment. With years of experience working with the NYU City public schools, presenter Russell Granet will make this workshop practical, doable, and fun. Please be prepared with a single question about your work in arts education.
1:00 ? 2:30 p.m. Workshops #1:Concurrent Sessions
1a = Situation Improvisation Jenny Welty-Green and Felton Eaddy lead participants in further exploration of participatory activities and a specific lesson plan.
1b = Playing Drums with Everyone: Creating an inclusive Music-Making Experience Tom Harris & Penny Honeycut of Inner Harbour, introduce a variety adaptive techniques for teaching percussive music to kids of all sorts.
2:30 - 3:30 p.m. Art Moment Hands on art making activities and an opportunity to learn a specific lesson plan
3:30 - 4:30 Study Groups Participants gather in assigned small groups to reflect on their learning, led by teams of Co-Facilitators.
WEDNESDAY, July 26
8:30 a.m. Good Morning / Overview of the Day
9:15 - 10:15 a.m. Core Session #3 A : Including the Basics
Jaehn Clare introduces the philosophy and practice of Person First Language and Lowest Level of Intervention.
10:30 a.m. - 12:00 noon Core Session #3 B : Trying it on for Size
Jaehn Clare and Linda Seay lead a participatory session designed to provide visceral experiences of what it can be like to have a disability, and to experience barriers to participation and inclusion.
12:00 noon ? 1:00 pm Lunch
Show Yours ? Show Mine Participants choose an interest group to lunch with, in discipline-specific open forum discussions ~ sharing lesson plans, techniques, resources, etc.
Visual Arts / Dance / Music / Theatre
Literary Arts / Access & Adaptations / Open Discussion
1:00 pm ? 2:30 pm Workshops #2 :Concurrent sessions
2a = Arts Advocacy & Sustainability: The Importanct of Involving Parents
Russell Granet and Lise Wilson lead a hands-on, participatory workshop addressing the successes and challenges of parent involvement. Presented by both an arts educator and an Atlanta-based parent, participants will leave this workshop with practical ways of increasing parent involvement in your school and community. Topics covered will include parent recruitment, creating a successful event, and best practices.
2b = Move It! Creating a Movement Inclusive Classroom
Douglas Scott leads a participatory workshop which will explore methods of adapting dance and movement in order to involve students with and without disabilities, as well as strategies for including movement in classroom learning. Participants will be led through a cross curriculum sample lesson plan designed to engage students intellectually, creatively and kinesthetically.
2:30 - 3:30 p.m. Art Moment Hands on art making activities and an opportunity to learn a specific lesson plan
3:30 - 4:30 Study Groups Participants gather in assigned small groups to reflect on their learning, led by teams of Co-Facilitators.
THURSDAY, July 27
9:00 a.m. Good Morning / Overview of the Day
9:15 - 10:15 a.m. Final Study Group
10:15 ? 10:45 am Reflection Session
Participants reflect on their experiences of the Institute and consider: How do I develop, enhance and refine my teaching tool kit?
10:45 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. Art Moment A final hands-on art making activity
11:45 a.m. - 1 p.m. Closing Lunch An informal Question & Answer session with Institute Faculty, and a final opportunity to network with colleagues
1 ? 1:30 p.m. Closing Circle
The 2006 Summer Institute Schedule
The 2006 event will include elements developed as part of the inaugural 2005 Institute, based upon the model of the annual nationalVSA arts Institute:
Core Sessions
The "Big Idea" sessions; all participants attend the Core Sessions.
Workshops
A menu of options, including practical hands-on sessions, panels, roundtables, discussion forums, etc.
Art Moments
Daily participatory art-making experiences led by artists.
Study Groups
A daily gathering in assigned small groups, to foster deeper learning through focused self-reflection.
Artist Toolkit
Each registered participant receives a binder which includes introductory institute information, session outlines and handouts, resource and contact lists; the notebook also serves as learning tool and personal documentation of the event.
Work Study positions filled
The deadline for applying was APRIL 15, 2006.
Each year, limited Work Study Positions in the Summer Institute are available. These posts are designed specifically to provide financial assistance to artists with disabilities and/or of low income who wish to attend the annual event. Work Study Participants will not be required to pay a registration fee for the Summer Institute, and will be required to contribute to the planning and preparation for the event, and to work at the event. Specific duties may include (but are not limited to) : assisting Institute organizers with administrative planning and preparation, load-in and load-out of materials and supplies for the event, staffing the registration table, assisting presenters with room set-up and strike, and other duties as assigned.
To apply for a Work Study position, submit the following:
A letter detailing your interest in the Summer Institute, including a statement regarding your skills and capacities for serving in a Work Study position, and your learning goal(s) for the Summer Institute.
A copy of your resume, with details concerning (as applicable) your artistic training and experience, and any teaching credentials and/or experience.
Full contact information, including Name, Mailing Address, Phone Number(s), E-mail address, and web address (if applicable)
A statement identifying any disability or limitation which may affect your ability to perform specific tasks (for example, unable to lift more than 50 pounds, a visual or hearing impairment, etc.).
Send Work Study application materials to :
Ms. Jaehn Clare / Director of Artistic Development
VSA arts of Georgia
57 Forsyth St. NW, Suite R-1
Atlanta, GA 30303
Incomplete and late applications will not be considered.
Work Study applicants must be available to begin Work Study positions two months prior to the institute starting date, and must be available for the entire schedule of the Summer Insitute event.
ART: BE the Thing!
