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One of the better resources I have found for integrating more holistic learning opportunities in our classrooms is the Resilience Project. While I am the type that likes to have a physical copy of the resources I use in class – and at $50, it is a bargain to buy – the website provides the cards for free and a teaching guide as a convenient PDF. Each of the 50 art cards pertain to 50 different female Indigenous artists with guiding questions that help you and your students dissect and explore the artists’ respective works. They also supply clear learning outcomes that connect to each task, making this a truly comprehensive set that can be easily integrated into your regular teaching time. From this series, I wanted to highlight one task that I developed that expands on what has already been created for this set. And while I do explore the themes and ideas the artist has outlined in her work, I never appropriate or encourage students to appropriate the work being showcased. Below, you will find the links to the artist’s work and her artist’s statement, as well as supplemental resources that you may find useful while exploring her work. Finally, I have a brief description of what I did in my classroom in case any of you would like to expand on what has already been provided in the Resilience Project set. Jennie William’s photographic series Nalujuk Night is one of my favourites from this series. The photographs of the traditional masks are terrifying and appealing to students. There is also a short documentary that explains this Labrador Inuit tradition. After discussing the photographs and documentary, students start thinking about images and symbols that are most frightening for them, drawing on the deep fears that they have and confronting them head-on through their artwork. From this brainstorming session, students begin creating masks using plaster strips and water – don’t forget the Vaseline if you want to keep your eyebrows. Once the masks are created and shaped – your students can continue to build up their masks after they are off their faces and hardened, creating elaborate prosthetic details like elongated noses, ears, and tongues. After they are done shaping their masks into grotesque facsimiles of their darkest fears, they can then paint them with acrylics and seal them with varnish – I like using Mod Podge. The results are pleasantly horrifying. For a link of a PDF of this article, click here.

The Transformative Power of School Art Projects to Foster Community and Identity Art projects within the school environment play a pivotal role in shaping not just the aesthetics of the campus but also the sense of community among students, teachers, and staff. When executed collaboratively, these projects forge bonds of mutual respect and camaraderie, contributing to a vibrant school culture. As an art teacher, I have witnessed the profound impact of such initiatives, mainly when students, student teachers and art teachers come together to create lasting pieces of art that become a testament to the shared experiences within the school. One such transformative project was a large-scale mosaic in our school's foyer. The intention was not merely to create a visually striking piece but to delve into the medium's potential by experimenting with broken tiles, different adhesives, and exploring the nuances of grout colouring. Importantly, this project became a platform for acknowledging and respecting the Indigenous heritage of many students in our school. The mosaic depicted "Turtle Island," symbolizing Canada, with the majestic Rocky Mountains in the background and an eagle overseeing, laden with symbolic meaning in Indigenous cultures. The success of this project spurred a series of smaller mosaic initiatives, with students working in assigned groups. Since last year, we have been embarking on a more extensive venture, creating seven large-scale murals with the assistance and collaboration of students, myself, and student teachers to represent various geographical regions of Canada. These murals intricately capture the essence of different regions, incorporating animals native to each location. The intention is not just to create visually appealing art but to immerse students in a profound exploration of Canada's geographical and cultural diversity. Our second floor has since become a colourful canvas showcasing our country's diverse landscapes and wildlife. This collaborative effort fosters a sense of pride in students while instilling respect for Indigenous peoples' traditions and wisdom. Our next endeavour will employ stencil techniques to paint representations of native Canadian animals in landscape environments. These paintings will adorn the boards hanging above students' lockers, transforming the second floor into a vibrant "Little Canada" that encapsulates the richness of our nation. This project will add aesthetic value to our school. It will also be a constant reminder to students, old and new, of their pride in being Canadian. In conclusion, collaborative school art projects are more than just creative endeavours; they are instruments of community building and identity formation. Similar to sports team activities, these projects provide students with a platform to express their sense of belonging, bridge gaps, and foster a shared appreciation for Canada's diverse tapestry. As students, teachers, and alums proudly walk through the hallways adorned with these creations, they carry a tangible connection to the community they helped build and the unique identity of the school they call home. For a PDF of this write-up, click here

Springtime in Alberta gently gives way to the warmth of summer, mirroring the excitement our students feel as they eagerly anticipate their summer break. As educators, we gracefully guide them through this transition, recognizing the power of art to engage and inspire. Imagine the joy of taking art class outdoors on a sunny day, where students can gaze at the ever-changing sky. This isn't just about appreciating nature; it's about integrating observation into our curriculum in a meaningful way. Picture students lounging on the school grounds, looking at clouds and talking about their shapes. Through guided exploration, they learn to translate their intricacies into sketches, capturing the sky's beauty. Encouraged to see clouds as dynamic entities, students explore concepts of design and perspective. They return to the classroom inspired, ready to express themselves through various artistic mediums. In subsequent classes, guided by their outdoor experience, students embark on exciting and fun artistic projects, drawing inspiration from Alberta's skies. Whether painting landscapes or exploring still life, their creativity knows no bounds! And speaking of still life, imagine the excitement as students gather around watermelons for a summer-themed art project. With sketchbooks in hand and the sweet aroma of watermelon in the air, they create vibrant masterpieces. As the final strokes are applied, students celebrate their achievements with a juicy feast, fostering a sense of community and shared learning. This is just the beginning of their artistic journey, filled with exploration and discovery. In conclusion, let's embrace the beauty of nature and the joy of creativity, guiding our students to forge memories that will last a lifetime. Dr. Izabella Orzelski, Art Representative.

As we approach summer break I always have students asking how they can keep up with theatre over the summer. If you find yourself in the same situation, here is a list of Drama camps and classes throughout Alberta. We have so many incredible programs in our province, so please share these camps with your students and their families. Edmonton: Citadel Theatre: For Youth ages 6- 17. The Citadel offers 3-week performance Labs of Frozen Jr., Acting, Musical Theatre, Technical and playwriting camps . Most of the camps end with a showcase of the work they have created over the week. They also offer a Dungeons & Dragons storytelling camp! Grindstone Theatre: Camps and classes for kids and teens in Acting, Drama, Improv, Musical Theatre, Clown, Magic, and Stand-Up Comedy. Rapidfire Theatre: Rapid Fire Theatre offers summer Improv camps for youth ages 6-17. Spark! @ Alberta Avenue: This 2-week camp leads students (ages 8-14) through the process of creating a film. Participants have the opportunity to work both on the production and acting sides of the project. Some full and partial sponsorships available. St. Albert City Camps: Half- and full- day Drama and Technical camps for kids ages 4-19. Visionary Centre for the Performing Arts: VCPA offers a ton of theatre camps for kids ages 3-17 at locations in Edmonton, and St. Albert. They offer fun themed camps in Musical Theatre, Drama, Dance, Acting, Singing, Improv, Rock Band, and Music Production! Strathcona County: Camps of various disciplines are offered through Strathcona County including Technical Theatre, Dance, Drama, Story Creation, and more! Horizon Stage: Musical Theatre and Circus camps for students ages 8-14. Camps are run through the City of Spruce Grove. Calgary: Calgary Young Peoples Theatre: Summer theatre camps for kids ages 4-18. Half- and full- day camps for the younger kids and one to two-week discipline specific intensives for teens. These intensives include Stage Make-Up, Musical Theatre, Acting, Stage Combat, Improv, Circus and more! Bursaries available and camp locations are across Calgary. Mount Royal University: MRU offers camps for students entering grades 1-3. These camps are theme-based and connect the arts with other subjects such as science and design. Pumphouse Theatre: Ensemble based camps for ages 7-14. Each camp will focus on developing acting techniques, speech, physical theatre, and play creation. The play will be performed at the end of the week.  Earlybird pricing before June 1st and limited number of bursaries available. Quest Theatre: Camps for ages 6-15 throughout July and August. Each week the instructors guide the students through the process of creating a play, which they perform at the end of the week. Bursaries available. Storybook Theatre: Camps for youth ages 6-17. Each of the camps at Storybook Theatre focus on a production- this summer students can participate in Finding Nemo Kids/Jr., Legally Blonde Jr. or a camp in which you create and perform your own play! Financial Assistance available and camps occur in various locations in Calgary. SummerACT @ Calgary Actor’s Studio: These 1- or 2-week camps (ages 10-18) focus on rehearsing and performing a show in a professional setting. They offer both play and musical theatre productions. Subsidies available. Theatre Calgary: Summer Drama Camps for students entering grades 3-12. Camps have various focuses such as Games & Storytelling, Puppetry, and Clowning, in addition to the 2-week Playmaking and Musical Theatre Intensives. University of Calgary: Summer Drama camps for students entering grades 3-7. Fun-filled days of Drama activities, games and a performance/workshop with U of C’s Drama Troupe WagonStage. This camp balances indoor and outdoor arts and recreation activities including swimming. Other camps through U of C that might interest Drama students are the Radio, Podcasting & Music Production, Dance, or the Filmmaking camps. Red Deer: Artstrek: A weeklong overnight camp for teens ages 12-18. Participants study a play through classes in acting, movement, voice, devising, design, directing, and dramaturgy. This year, students will be exploring Addams Family the Musical. Treehouse Youth Theatre: A fun, inclusive introduction to theatre for kids ages 9-17. Each camp will build a play to perform at the end of the week. Students will be able to take on and learn about various roles including actor, playwright, director, designer, and stage manager. Other: Grande Prairie Live Theatre: The Rising Stars Camp runs weekly throughout the summer for kids ages 10-14. Each week has a different theme and focus- musical theatre, comedy, mystery, and more! New West Theatre Lethbridge: Weeklong camps throughout the summer for youth ages 6-18. Each camp has a fun theme to get students amped up for an exciting week of acting, singing and dancing. Some of the weekly themes are Disney, Taylor Swift, Broadway, Murder mystery and more! Other camps include puppetry and stage skills.

Happy end of the school year to all! Here are a few documents and links to help and inspire (and get you through your last month)! Song Collections and Other Resources Skipping poems, games, songs Camp fire songs Great Canadian Orchestra field trip with National Arts Centre Report card comment bank examples 1. More for singing 2. More for recorders AI in the Music Classroom Magic School ai has a song generator (in English and French) and a report card comment generator. Musicfirst.com is offering a web series of PD about AI in the music classroom. Hope you have a great final month of the year. As always, if you have any questions pop me an email at music@fineartsata.ca.

As we approach the end of the year and make our way into summer vacation, I am hopeful you can take some time for reflection. As a dance educator in Alberta, it can often feel like we are islands. You may feel similarly, maybe you are the only dance educator in your area or district. It can feel lonely, and maybe you even question what you are doing and if it is enough. I see you and I feel it too. This Spring, I listened to some dance education podcasts, and it helped me to feel like I wasn’t alone in what I was doing and that there are like-minded educators around the world each in little pockets of dance education. I find a lot of community in listening to dance podcasts and they help affirm what I am doing in my classroom.  These two specific episodes made me feel really seen in the areas of dance education that I often question or struggle with. Both podcast series have other amazing episodes to encourage and inspire you as a dance educator. I have linked the following podcast links through Apple Music, but you can listen to podcasts on other platforms like Spotify as well. I love to listen to podcasts when I am driving to and from work when I am cleaning (either the dance studio or my home) and I also have a podcast running while I do data entry of marks. I hope this does not feel like another thing to add to your to-do list, but instead, something for you to indulge in as you multitask. I know for me; it made me feel inspired and affirmed of my work; I hope it does for you too. Remember the toughest seasons often provide the most lessons and growth as an educator. Let’s keep in touch! Let’s not be islands, let’s connect and support one another as we provide amazing dance education for our students. I am hopeful in the Fall we can connect as dance educators, please reach out to me if I can support you in any way. If you are a dance educator in Alberta, currently teaching dance classes in any grade level, I would really appreciate it if you would fill out this very short form, so I can get to know each of you better before the start of the year: Survey Form for Dance Educators 3 RANDOMLY SELECTED MEMBERS WHO PARTICIPATE IN THE GIVEAWAY WILL RECEIVE A $10 GIFT CARD - COMPLETE THE SURVEY BEFORE JUNE 15 TO WIN! Wishing you a wonderful end to your year and a wonderful relaxing summer break. Keep shining, -Victoria dance@fineartsata.ca

by Drama Rep, Molly Danko (March.2024) A few weeks ago, I got to venture down to Calgary to present at the Calgary City Teachers’ Convention! I had the absolute joy of playing with a group of 25 Drama teachers from around the city. It warmed my heart and inspired me to see what incredible teachers their students get to learn from, and to hear everyone sharing ideas and activities that work in their classes. My session was ‘Ensemble Building in the Drama Classroom’- a crucial part of any Drama class. So, whether you have just begun a new term, or you are in need of some ensemble exercises, here are some of my favorites from the session.

March 2024 Write-Up by Amanda Clark for Fine Arts Council Email Newsletter Hi Friends! This month was full of exciting presentations! I was so glad to meet so many of you at NCTCA, ESTCA and GETCA.  Thanks for attending my presentations. I hope they were helpful for you. If you have any feedback or questions feel free to email me at music@fineartsata.ca There were many people who asked for music resources in French here are a few that I have used: · Some Holidays Coming Up: Pi Day- March 14th Songs that use the pi number as a song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMq9he-5HUU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wK7tq7L0N8E https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HV1-AjwDJwM Holi is Monday, March 25 (Hindi Festival) Songs (mostly for div 1) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzUgkRVAoPQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2JZG5AW3hU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hihJFS_VHvY Easter March 29 to April 1 Ready Go Music is one of my favourite YouTube channels. Here is a playlist of Spring/Summer themed rhythm play alongs for that channel. Eid is April 10 or 11 (Depends on the moon and geographical location) Songs and CBC kids information videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VpiuY_C5Ok https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hROKqsVJSRg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcQhruIyk60 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lf5Sm9Y8vrw "May the 4th" Recorder play along for Star wars theme Recorder play along for Imperial March Ukulele Star wars Theme (C F and G chords) Music Monday – May 6th

News from your Fine Arts Council! Including: Drama Update Music Update Giveaway! And more Click here to see the resources www.fineartsata.ca/resources Read the whole mailout here.

February 2024 Write-Up by Molly Danko for Fine Arts Council Email Newsletter. In this month’s Drama Update, Molly Danko features Andrew Ritchie from Artstrek, a summer theatre school for teens. When I was in high school, I had the incredible opportunity to go to my first sleepaway camp. In early July I piled into my parents' car with too many bags in tow and drove down to Red Deer for a week at Artstrek. As a theatre kid, it was one of the best weeks of my life! Artstrek was filled with kids like me- Kids that loved theatre and wanted to learn as much as they could. From the moment my 'super' welcomed me into my dorm, I felt at home. The week flew by with full days of classes- acting, singing, mask work, tech, design, devising, etc.- themed games, and activities each night, themed warmups every morning, and of course many snack breaks and time to get to know all my new classmates. Each summer the students at Artstrek get to study a different play and work on it through different theatrical lenses. The first year I went, we studied Catalyst Theatre's production of Frankenstein, and I was hooked from the moment we started reading the play. As a 16 year old kid, Artstrek opened my eyes to so many new aspects of theatre I had never considered. It gave me confidence in my theatrical abilities, and helped me to understand myself a bit better too! This month I have the pleasure of passing along some info to all of you Fine Arts teachers from Andrew Ritchie, the Program Coordinator at Theatre Alberta. I look back at my summers at Artstrek very fondly, and love that the program is still running for students to attend. So, I ask you all to pass along the information to your students so they can experience the magic of Artstrek! Artstrek is a summer theatre school for teens that provides professional learning with theatre artists and educators in a collaborative environment. Artstrek is more than 60 years old and has 10,000+ alumni working across Alberta, Canada, and the world. Artstrek students explore the creative process through five daily classes that include the study of acting, movement, voice, devising, design, directing, and dramaturgy. All of these classes take inspiration from a single play of study—this year’s play is going to be a musical! Artstrek will take place July 7 to July 20, 2024 at Red Deer Polytechnic.EXPLORATION I (Ages 12-15) July 7 - 12, 2024EXPLORATION II (Ages 16-18) July 14 - 20, 2024 Keep an eye out on https://www.theatrealberta.com/artstrek/

Hello Friends, It has been so long since I have written to you. Since I last wrote to you I have presented at both Beginning Teachers Conferences. It was wonderful to meet some of you there! If you are looking to meet me in person I will be presenting at NCTCA, Endless Sky and GETCA teacher conventions this month. I look forward to seeing some of you there. I would be happy to answer questions that you have related to the Fine Arts Council, music or even just to say “hi”. I would like to say a big thank you to those who joined us online for our PD session “Culturally Responsive Teaching”. It was a great start to Black History Month. If you are looking for more PD in that area I would look out for more presentations by Janice Pinnock, she was a very engaging speaker. Here are some books that I like to include in my lessons for Black History Month:

What is the Inter-School Dance Fest? The purpose of the Inter-School Dance Fest was to bring together Dance students from various High Schools to take workshops, meet each other, build community and have fun! What were some highlights of this conference? The energy was really amazing. We had two wonderful workshop leaders (Mpoe Mogale and Stephanie Lilley) and the students were able to choose to take Hip-Hop, Contemporary and Jazz Workshops. The students ended the day as a large group learning Afrobeats Dance. It was really neat to see students from different high schools from all parts of the city become instant friends through their shared love of Dance and learning. They supported each other, cheered each other on and built a community of Dance in one short afternoon. It was also a great opportunity for the Dance teachers to meet each other, share ideas and get inspiration. Why should dance teachers sign their students up to do this next year? This is a great opportunity for Dance students to access workshops in an affordable way. It also allows them to meet dancers from other High Schools and to really have fun learning in a new way. It’s also great professional development for the teachers. What is next? Will you do this again next year? We are hoping to have our students meet again this year, possibly to watch each other’s showcases and performances. So far, we are planning to hold another Inter-School Dance Fest next fall! How can teachers connect with you and sign up? Teachers can email me at catherine.bawol AT ecsd.net Anything else you would like to share? Sometimes (in our District), there are not as many opportunities for Dance programs to collaborate as there are for other subjects like Music or Drama. This endeavor was to give our dancers an opportunity to take part in something outside of their school and to feel like they belong to something bigger. It was also a great opportunity for them to learn from each other and make connections. It was such a positive experience for everyone involved! For a link to this article in PDF form, click here.