Arts Education: Summer Opportunities

UNL TLTE Summer Institute

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln is offering a weeklong Summer Institute and graduate course called CREATE, that will emphasize teaching of the arts across the curriculum.  Teachers and teaching artists may apply to participate in the program to take place June 17-21 in Lincoln.  For more information contact Nancy Engen-Wedin at nengenwedin2@unl.edu

Summer Backstage Workshop

Join professional artists from across the country as Crane River Theater presents its annual Backstage Workshop in Kearney on August 2nd and 3rd. This is a one-of-a-kind opportunity for high school students to see a professional production, interact with the cast, and take part in workshops specializing in music music, theater and dance. This year's Workshop is built around the musical "Newsies". Find information about Backstage Workshop on the Crane River website.

State Competition March 10th

The Poetry Out Loud state competition will be held Sunday, March 10th from 1:30pm-4:30pm at the Sheldon Museum of Art in Lincoln. The public is invited to this free event, featuring special guest Stephen Young from the Poetry Foundation and Nebraska's new State Poet, Matt Mason.

State Speech Competition

The Nebraska School Activities Association (NSAA) will host the Nebraska State Speech Competition on March 21 and 22 at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. This contest highlights the best of the best in high school public speaking.  It is open to the public and there is no fee to attend.
Congressmen Don Bacon and Adrian Smith enthusiastically invite all high school students in Nebraska Districts 2 and 3 to participate in the 2019 Congressional Art Competition.

This program recognizes and encourages artistic talent in our nation's youth.  The first place winner in each district will have his/her artwork proudly displayed by Congressmen Bacon and Smith in the U.S. Capitol for one year.

The Congressmen work alonside the Nebraska Art Teachers Association and local high schools to collect and evaluate the submissions. Visit the NATA website for official rules, forms, and guidelines. Submissions are due by March 9, 2019.

March is "Music in Our Schools Month"

The Nebraska Music Educators Association will be celebrating "Music in Our Schools Month" in March with it's annual Capitol Concerts, occurring daily March 4-7 in the Nebraska State Capitol Rotunda.  They will also be hosting their first "Hill Day" at the State Capitol on Thursday, March 7; Collegiate students and members are invited to attend and talk to state senators about music education.  

ESSA: Mapping Opportunities for the Arts

New and consolidated Title IV grant programs under the Every Student Succeeds Act provide states with flexibilities and opportunities to support more robust student engagement in the arts. A new chapter addition to ESSA: Mapping Opportunities for the Arts explores how states and districts can use Title IV funds specific to the arts to create and adapt arts education programs to best fit their students’ needs.
KEY TAKEAWAY - ESSA's Title IV, Part A and Part B grants provide states and districts with multiple pathways to support access to a well-rounded education through the arts.

This newsletter's mission is to keep you up-to-date on news, events, and opportunities to improve the quality of arts education in Nebraska. The Dispatch is a collaborative project of the Nebraska Arts Council, Nebraska Art Teachers Association, Nebraska Music Educators Association, Nebraska Speech Communications and Theatre Association, and Nebraskans for the Arts.

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