On March 9, I attended a fantastic all-day workshop in Cary, NC on developing arts programs that provide access to people with all levels of ability.
Here is the official description:
“Arts for All: Including School-Age Children with Disabilities in Arts Education.”
Arts Access, Inc. is pleased to present a one day workshop led by Jaehn Clare on strategies for including children of all abilities in arts education activities. Jaehn is currently employed with the Woodruff Arts Center, as a Professional Learning Drama Teaching Artist and a Georgia Wolf Trap Teaching Artist. She works with the Alliance Theatre’s Institute for Educators and Teaching Artists, teaching in-school residencies with young students, as well as working with the Arts Partners program and the Woodruff Arts Center Professional Learning Initiative.
Topics to be included:
• Principles of Universal Design for Learning and how to apply them
• Activity Modification and Inclusion Strategies
• Breakout sessions for performing arts and visuals artists
Arts Access is the state organization on arts and disability and is receiving funds from the VSA/Kennedy Center to implement activities to support including school art children in the arts. This workshop is being presented in partnership with the NC Arts Council and the Department of Public Instruction.
Most artists-in-the-schools probably have little or no formal training as educators (myself included). We just have a passion for our art and for sharing. There were some hands-on activities and Jaehn and other experts present answered so many questions! We all left with lots of new ideas and strategies that we can put into practice right away.
Sounds like there will be some follow-up workshops and I’ll be looking forward to attending those as well!
Arts Access in Raleigh, NC, click here.