Artists in the Schools

Artists in the Schools

The fall is traditionally a quiet time for this program, which allows us to complete some other related activities. My new associates, Donna Henderson and Shelley Hannah, and I, are working on many exciting things to add to our program this year:

- we are hoping this year to run two special camp days for which we will draw together a selection of students from various schools to participate in an intensive integrated arts day

- our artists attended a luncheon workshop with a guest speaker in curriculum trends in the arts from the Upper Grand District School Board

- we have offered to deliver art workshops for teachers

-we are speaking to artists who want to be added to our complement. By the next artsletter I should have some interesting news on this.

- our storytellers have joined with us and will be more active in schools this year. Some initial experiences last year were very successful.

- we are exploring funding possibilities in some new ways to allow us to far exceed our usual $6,000 budget. If some individual or business would like to become a sponsor of an arts day I would love to speak to them. Funds donated to this will be targeted to a school or activity of your choice and will count as a charitable donation. Donna and I are also working on a grant proposal.

If this brief article sparks interest in any of you, please contact me for a more detailed discussion or explanation.

Ken Topping
519-925-2819
ktopping@sympatico.ca

Donating to the Dufferin Arts Council

At this time of year, requests for donations are quite common. We ask you to consider donating to the Dufferin Arts Council this holiday season. The Dufferin Arts Council has a number of programs that you can support through your generous donation. Please direct your donation to one or more of the following:

1. Community Programs

Our Artists in the Schools program offers teachers in Dufferin County’s 23 schools the opportunity to enrich their arts curriculum by inviting local artists into the classroom to work with students in arts-related activities such as visual arts, music, dance, and drama. Through the Artist Support program, DAC assists local artists in enhancing their skills and careers through professional development and networking opportunities, and the organization of arts events. Recent examples include organizing opportunities for artists to have their work professionally photographed and the mounting of the Fresh Art, Fresh Air and Free Parking art show. 

Through the DAC Grants program, DAC provides support to local arts organizations, student festivals, and special arts-related events.

2. Reed T. Cooper Bursary in Visual Arts

The Reed T. Cooper Bursary in Visual Arts has been established to assist mid-career visual artists in significantly advancing or renewing their work.

3. Endowment Fund

The DAC Endowment Fund provides scholarships and bursaries to local secondary school graduates who have chosen to enroll in post secondary studies in the arts.

Thank you.