ArtCore will provide five Lane County schools with a sustainable, arts-based teaching model.
Through the leadership of Springfield Public Schools, the Educational Policy Improvement Center (EPIC), Lane Arts Council and other collaborative partners, Lane County will receive $2.2 million to develop a sustainable arts integration model, ArtCore, to be implemented at five Lane County schools. This project is funded by the U.S. Department of Education Arts in Education- Model Development and Dissemination Grants Program, which awarded a total of 18 projects in the country.
ArtCore is a 4-year model development and research initiative that joins community creatives and middle school teachers to develop arts-based teaching and learning. To bring out student’s creativity and motivation, teaching artists and classroom teachers will facilitate 10-week modules that integrate academic learning objectives, creative inquiry skills, and knowledgeand skills in different art disciplines. This program establishes a comprehensive and sustainable school-wide change model for schools seeking a new approach that makes classroom learning personalized, creative, and multidisciplinary for students
Participating schools include Oaklea Middle School (Junction City), Hamlin Middle School (Springfield), Kelly Middle School (Eugene 4J), Cascade Middle School (Bethel) and Network Charter School (Eugene). Each of these schools faces increasing challenges to provide arts rich learning experiences in support of their students’ academic achievement. Nearly 2,000 students will participate in this program over the course of four years.
“The next several years will be quite a journey. I am looking forward to this developing partnership and discovering what our middle school will look like in the future. That is exciting in itself,” states Brian Young, Principal at Oaklea Middle School in Junction City.
“ArtCore is based on the notion that we are all inherently creative. We each have something significant to contribute, in a way that uniquely defines us. This is exactly the type of transformative work that will engage students in learning,” states Liora Sponko, Executive Director of Lane Arts Council.
Ross Anderson, Senior Lead Researcher at EPIC, adds, “It is critical that we paint a more vivid picture of the work that schools do to prepare students to become lifelong learners and creators. Students need far more than just math and literacy skills. Research from the ArtCore project aims to document the process for other schools and communities to replicate and customize in their own way, putting student and teacher creativity at the center.”
ArtCore is also supported by grants from the Oregon Community Foundation Studio to School Project, Oregon Arts Commission, Chambers Family Foundation, US Bancorp Foundation, and Pacific Continental Bank.
About EPIC
EPIC is a nationally recognized leader in the field of College and Career Readiness. EPIC provides research and tools to empower states, districts, schools, and teachers to prepare students for success beyond high school. Visit www.epiconline.org.
About Lane Arts Council
Lane Arts Council is a nonprofit organization that works to strengthen and support the arts throughout Lane County. They provide arts education programs in schools, support arts professionals, and coordinate the First Friday ArtWalk. Visit www.lanearts.org.
Contact:
Ross Anderson
EPIC
(541) 214-0949
ross_anderson@epiconline.org