Media Release: 37 ArtsSmarts projects underway in Newfoundland and Labrador schools.
November 05, 2010
37 ArtsSmarts projects underway in Newfoundland and Labrador schools
November 4, 2010, St. John's, NL – Students and teachers across Newfoundland and Labrador are using the arts to approach core curriculum subjects, such as history, science, and physical education, in creative ways. Thirty-seven projects have been awarded a total of $150, 001 in grants through the ArtsSmarts program for the 2010-2011 school year.
Schools apply to ArtsSmarts for funding to bring professional artists into the classroom to help teachers and students integrate arts activities into non-arts subject areas. For example, this year, students, teachers and artists are participating in projects that explore urban legends through theatre as part of social studies; environmental issues though visual art and writing as part of science, and fitness and self expression through circus arts as part of physical education.
“The ArtsSmarts program continues to attract highly skilled and well-known artists,” says Reg Winsor, executive director of the NLAC. “Performers such as Beni Malone, Ruth Lawrence, Dale Jarvis; visual artists Marlene Creates, Jason Holley, Rosalind Ford; dancers Louise Moyes, Lynn Panting, East Rock Crew; musicians Jim Payne, Fergus O’Byrne, Daniel Payne...the list goes on and on. The program allows students to get first-hand experience with some of our province’s finest artists.”
ArtsSmarts is administered in this province by the Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council (NLAC) and is funded through the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s Cultural Connections Strategy - a unique partnership between the Department of Education and the Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation. Cultural Connections seeks to increase the presence of cultural content in the school curriculum and foster links between the arts and school communities. Since 1998, ArtsSmarts has awarded $1,266,336 to schools throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.
Media enquiries:
Janet McDonald
Communications Officer
Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council
Tel: (709) 726-2212
Toll Free: 1(866) 726-2212 (NL only)
The NLAC is a non-profit Crown agency created in 1980 by The Arts Council Act. Its mission is to foster and promote the creation and enjoyment of the arts for the benefit of all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. The Council is governed by a volunteer board of 13 appointed by government, reflecting regional representation of the province. This includes 10 professional artists who provide sectoral representation of the arts community; one community representative (with an interest in the arts); one business representative (with an interest in the arts); and one representative of the Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation (non-voting). The NLAC receives an annual grant from the Province to support a variety of granting programs, program delivery, office administration, and communications. It also seeks support from the public and private sector. It supports the following artistic disciplines: dance, film, multidiscipline, music, theatre, visual art, and writing.