Arts Connection: AfterSchool Programs
photo: Students learn West African drumming with Alseny Yansane and Andrea DiPalma.
The new season of ACT, Fall 2010
As has happened in many rural school districts in Oregon, last year Oakridge and McKenzie shifted to four-day weeks. This happened as Lane Arts Council's YouthArts program joined a consortium with Lane ESD, called ACT, to support non-school time programs. Junction City School District is also involved with students from its Oaklea Middle School and High School.
Artists may work on projects with students half-days on Fridays in addition to after-school hands-on learning activities. This Fall, as ACT's new season begins:
o McKenzie MS and HS: Andrea DiPalma, Ceramics, and Kris Ibach, Painting.
o Oakridge High School: Ryan Beard, Metal sculpture, and Jesse Jarvis, Salsa dance.
o Junction City High School and Oaklea Middle School: Lisa Mischke, Choral music/choir, Kelly Thibodeaux, Fiddle music, Andrea DiPalma, Ceramics, Jamie Burress, Fused glass
Photo: An EcoArts sculpture project at McKenzie schools in partnership with US Forest Service, 2009-2010.
Lane Arts Council's YouthArts program is the arts partner with Lane ESD and its McKenzie, Junction City, and Oakridge School Districts Consortium.
Oregon Department of Education (ODE) announced a five-year 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant in 2009 to Lane ESD's Consortium to support non-school time programs.
The grant will provide $480,000 each year for the next three years, with funds reduced proportionately in years four and five. The Lane ESD proposal was funded at the highest possible level in the 2009 grant round. ($7.4 million was awarded statewide to 19 applicants.)
$45,000 of the grant's annual budget is contracted with Lane Arts Council for collaborative arts program, with Lane Arts Council. The funds will involving artists after-school (Junction City) and Friday (McKenzie and Oakridge) programs.