Project ARTiculate is three-year partnership between the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District (FNSBSD) and the Alaska Arts Education Consortium (AAEC). The three-year grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Education under the Arts in Education Model Development and Dissemination Grant is for $770,000.

Fairbanks has a time-tested comprehensive Art Program for their K-8 classrooms, segments of which are to be redeveloped and then disseminated by AAEC. The project is based on our mutual belief that the successful Fairbanks School District art program supports tantalizing national research that the arts can play a critical role in the academic development of all students.

Project ARTiculate goals:

Goal #1: Use proven Visual Art curriculum and resource kits in target Alaskan classrooms in order to increase student achievement and arts knowledge and appreciation.

Goal #2: Determine and disseminate effective practices in Visual Arts education that increase student academic performance as well as their knowledge and appreciation of the arts.

Four main activities help us reach these goals:

Upgrade 96 K-8 Arts Kits to include relevant Alaska Grade Level Academic Expectations and reformatting to place on the Web
Provide professional development to 114 teachers in eight school districts, through Summer Institutes and follow-on training, in teaching the arts in elementary and middle schools and using project resources to increase student success in arts and core academic subjects
Employ a scientifically based evaluation model to gauge effectiveness of various project practices and to determine if expected outcomes were achieved
Disseminate annual reports and final data at state and national level.

2007 Year Two

VISUAL ARTS INSTITUTE – July 29 – August 10, 2007

Location: FAIRBANKS West Valley High School and housing at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. For 30 teachers - Grades 4-8

Two target districts, Juneau and Northwest Arctic Borough will send 15 teachers (grades 4-8) total to the summer training. 15 teachers will be accepted from other AAEC member districts. The grant provides: travel, housing, food stipend and tuition. Each participating district will receive kits in the fall and a teacher skilled in using the kits.

At the Visual Arts Institute Teachers will:

Work with fellow teachers from 15 districts in Alaska
Develop an understanding of the best practices in art education and how to increase your students’ success and motivation
Learn how to use specific grade appropriate art lessons, integrated into other content areas that build student skills and understanding in academic areas
Learn material management to simplify the teaching of art
Learn movement and performance techniques
Earn 3 University credits
Explore Fairbanks and the beautiful Alaska interior during a free weekend (August 4-5)
Free to AAEC member districts

Applicants from non-member AAEC districts will be placed on a wait list. Tuition- $500 (Notification April 1, 2007)

Applications due March 2, 2007

To Apply: Download the application Application VAI_07.doc

Email: ccrooks@gci.net
Or Print, fill in and mail or fax application to
Mail: Cristine Crooks, AAEC, 2124 Second St., Douglas, AK 99824
FAX: 907- 796-6166

Contact Barbara Short, bshort@northstar.k12.ak.us or Cristine Crooks ccrooks@gci.net for more information.

For more information on the Alaska Arts Education Consortium, contact Cristine Crooks (907-364-2290 • ccrooks@gci.net)