The Maine Arts Commission’s Maine Arts Leadership Initiative (MALI) will offer a one-day summer professional development intensive specifically geared toward Maine teaching artists, and/or those artists who would like to expand their work to PK-12 teaching, on Wednesday, August 10, from 8 to 4 p.m. at the University of Southern Maine. The intensive is part of MALI’s summer institute for PK-12 arts teachers that continues August 11-12. The day-long session will focus in depth on the role of the teaching artist in the K-12 classroom, and the relationship between the K-12 arts educator and the teaching artist, and will includestructured networking with more than 50 PK-12 Visual and Performing Arts teachers from throughout Maine.
“We recognize the great learning value of Maine’s incredible population of artists,” said Argy Nestor, Director of Arts Education for the Maine Arts Commission, “and have as a goal the establishment of more high quality K-12 artist-in-residence programs.”
The day’s workshops are designed specifically for the needs of Teaching Artists, and will include separate sessions on topics including how to get funding to support residencies; best practices for Teaching Artists; Maine Learning standards; assessment skills and tools; advocacy; and more. Perhaps most importantly, the day will include ongoing opportunities for teaching artists to connect with and engage collaboratively with PK-12 visual and performing arts teachers from Maine schools—often the first step toward establishing a residency.
The MALI institute offers an exciting, teacher–driven environment for teaching artists who are interested in professional development with peers. Teaching Artist and dancer John Morris and PK-12 music educator Kate Smith, both members of the Maine Arts Leadership Initiative team, are leading the planning for the day.
“We think this year’s summer institute provides not only timely professional development and a chance to make important connections with arts educators in the schools, but also a real opportunity to contribute the voices of Teaching Artists to improving K-12 arts education for all students in Maine,” said Morris.
The Maine Arts Leadership Initiative, established in 2011, is committed to the development of teacher leaders and teaching artists to ensure deep understanding and meaningful implementation of high quality teaching, learning, and assessment in the arts.
Registration includes morning coffee/tea, a delicious lunch, and afternoon snacks. To register and review full workshop offerings, please go tohttp://goo.gl/forms/DwUebVc0Ys7aiBmH2.
To learn more about MALI, the Maine Arts Commission teaching artist program and roster, and other PK-12 arts education programs go tohttp://mainearts.maine.gov/Pages/Education/MAAI# or contact Argy Nestor at argy.nestor@maine.gov or 207-287-2713.
Dominique Ostuni’s solo exhibition, “Would an Angel Apologize for Spilling Champagne,” is on view through Oct. 3 at Dowling Walsh Gallery in Rockland. A centerpiece of the exhibition is “Excess Comes Naturally,” an elaborate mirror standing more than 8 feet tall. The work begins with an ordinary functional object, then overwhelms that function with porcelain, […]
Waterfall Arts will invite the public inside more than 40 artist studios during the Lincoln Street Center Fall Open Studios from 1 to 5 p.m. Oct. 17 at 24 Lincoln St. in Rockland. During the free event, artists will open their studios and welcome visitors into their creative spaces. Guests can explore Rockland’s historic former […]
“Made in Maine,” the Maine Art Gallery’s annual member show, features more than 100 works of art across two floors of the historic Old Academy building in Wiscasset. The exhibition is on view through Oct. 18. Sara Stites of Thomaston, a new member, is showing at the gallery for the first time. Her oil painting […]
High Peaks Artisan Guild in Kingfield features Western Maine watercolor artist Karen Jordan Paul throughout September. Paul draws inspiration from wildlife found throughout Maine, particularly wild birds and fish. The guild celebrated Paul as its featured artist of the month during the Sept. 4 Kingfield Art Walk. High Peaks Artisan Guild is at 245 Main […]
Turtle Gallery in Deer Isle presents “Material Storytelling,” a three-artist exhibition featuring new work by Sheep Jones, Michele Ratté Delphin and Barbara Sullivan, through Oct. 11. The three artists use distinct materials and techniques to explore narrative, light and the quiet poetry of everyday objects. Jones brings her signature combination of oil and cold wax […]
Photographer Melonie Bennett will discuss her exhibition and debut monograph, “Holy Cow!,” from 5 to 8 p.m. Sept. 18 at the Maine Museum of Photographic Arts in Portland. The event will include an interview, reading and book signing. Photographer and writer Robert Diamante, a friend and fellow photographer, will interview Bennett. “Holy Cow!” presents an […]
Centre Street Arts Gallery in downtown Bath will open its fall show during the Bath Art Walk from 4 to 7 p.m. Sept. 18. The gallery represents 20 local artists and will feature new work in its fall exhibition. Visitors can meet the artists, explore the show and enjoy refreshments during the reception. Centre Street […]
Maine artist Daryne Rockett will present “Restoring Liberty,” an exhibition of monotypes and mixed-media work, from Oct. 2 to Nov. 24 at the McDade Gallery at Bangor Public Library. The exhibition brings together two interconnected bodies of work examining freedom, democracy, justice and hope. In a series of layered monotypes, the Statue of Liberty appears […]
Maine Craft Weekend, an annual statewide celebration of craft, community and creativity, will return Oct. 3 and 4. The free, self-guided tour invites visitors to discover the people, places and stories behind Maine’s craft communities. Hundreds of participating artists and locations will host open studios, workshops, pop-up markets, exhibitions, fairs, artist talks, special events and […]