#afes feature

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AHFES Feature: Takoma Education Campus Attends The Washington Ballet

Text submitted by: DC Collaborative Team Photos submitted by: Judith Castillo, Takoma Education Campus Kindergarten Educator

On December 5th the DC Collaborative sent 650 PreK-6th graders from every ward Washington, DC, to The Nutcracker presented by The Washington Ballet. Each year the DC Collaborative partners with The Washington Ballet to send students across the city to this performance.

Program Description and Student Guide

The Nutcracker Presented by: The Washington Ballet Holiday Magic! DC's annual favorite. This celebrated production is set in historic Georgetown with George Washington among other historical figures. Join us again with family and friends or start a new holiday tradition with your loved ones. The magnificent opulence of the Warner Theatre provides the perfect setting for this splendid production. Date: 12/5/18 Time: 11:00AM Length of Event: 2 hours Location: The Warner Theatre, 513 13th St NW, Washington, DC 20004 Discipline: Theatre, Dance Curriculum Connections: Diversity, DCPS Framework for Arts Learning, History/Geography Grades: PreK - 6th

View the Student Guide!

Photos from Takoma Education Campus

Judith Castillo, a Kindergarten Teacher from Takoma Education Campus sent in photos of her field trip! All schools wishing to be feature in the DC Collaborative’s Story Bank Blog should submit photos and/or student quotes to [email protected].

Hear from the Students!

Inspired Teaching Demonstration PCS 4th graders submitted student surveys. Hear what the students had to say!

When asked ‘What will you share with friends and family?’ students wrote:

“It was so cool. The african american ballerina was the best!” - Ava, 4th grade

“... It was amazing and I loved it!” - Soren, 4th grade

“I would share the cool costumes and the moves.” -Zoe, 4th grade

When asked, ‘What surprised you about the performance?’ students wrote:

“I thought it was cool how it was set in Washington, DC. Also, the set was really elaborate! I was mesmerized by the set.” -Sarah Lydia, 4th grade

“One thing that surprised me was that their were kids on the stage.” -Hudson, 4th grade

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AHFES Feature: SEED PCS Attends Dumbarton Oaks

Submitted by: Kamala Subramanian, Art Teacher, SEED PCS and Blake Rostine, Programs and Communications Assistant DC Arts and Humanities Education Collaborative Photos Provided by: Dumbarton Oaks May 1, 2018

Sometimes you never know who you might run into on an Arts and Humanities for Every Student field-trip in DC! For students at SEED PCS who attended a field-trip to Dumbarton Oaks to see the Martha Jackson Jarvis exhibit Outside/IN, the lucky students ran into... Martha Jackson Jarvis herself! Read about the student’s experience below!

Field-Trip Description

OUTSIDE/IN: MARTHA JACKSON JARVIS Presented by: Dumbarton Oaks The program will engage students with a temporary installation of outdoor and indoor sculpture and works on paper by noted Washington artist Martha Jackson Jarvis. Martha Jackson Jarvis is based in DC and grew up nearby in Lynchburg, VA. You can learn more about her work on her website. The installation, “Outside/IN,” is inspired by natural forms and materials and spans both garden and museum spaces. In her artwork, Jackson Jarvis explores our relationship to nature and uncovers the “emanating auras,” historical references, and stories within natural materials such as clay, glass, stone, and wood.

Students will engage with Martha Jackson Jarvis’ work in the garden and the galleries, comparing her work to objects from Dumbarton Oaks’ pre-Columbian and Byzantine collection. In doing so, students will reflect on how past (and present) understandings of natural materials as having spiritual and animate powers have informed their use in art and culture. Students will also be encouraged to bring into the discussion their personal experiences with nature and their surroundings. The visit will end with students making their own cyanotypes. Length of Event: 90 Minutes Location: Dumbarton Oaks, 1703 32nd Street, NW, Washington, DC 20007 Discipline: Humanities, Visual Arts Curriculum Connections: Arts; History & Geography; Diversity Grades: 6th - 12th

What the Students and Teachers are Saying!

"Our field trip to the Dumbarton Oaks museum to see the Martha Jackson Jarvis installation of 'Outside/In' was such a good experience.  What I liked most was seeing how the artist used the immediate environment around her to use in her artwork. I felt that was really important in helping to save the environment by lessoning our footprint rather than shipping in a lot of  things as well as using it in her work to help us appreciate nature through her art."    - Anthony B., 10th grade, SEED PCS of Washington

“Each of my students who attended the field trip really enjoyed the experience immensely. Everything was full of such wonder and natural beauty. Between the two, the artwork and the gardens, each helped you appreciate the other in new ways. Dumbarton Oaks presentation was clear and helpful in allowing the students to think and make good observations as well as the thoughtful nature inspired relief printmaking project that you were able to make work as a result of a lack of sunshine that day.

I am quite honored for my scholars to have been your inaugural group through the DC Collaborative. I have trusted and counted on them for years to help provide such a plethora of culturally rich experiences for my scholars and me, too.”

-Kamala Subramanian, Art Teacher, SEED PCS, Key Communication, DC Collaborative

More Pictures

Photos provided courtesy of Dumbarton Oaks

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AHFES Update

20 Years and More Students Served than Ever Before!

Submitted by: Blake Rostine, DC Collaborative Programs and Communications Assistant April 6, 2018

The DC Collaborative in partnership with it’s membership and funders, serves nearly 50,000 students this year!

After twenty years working with DC educators, scholars and arts and humanities organizations - the DC Collaborative is serving more students and educators than ever before!

We’ve grown to be able to serve nearly 50,000 students at more than 150 schools this year and increased our capacity affect change within our own arts and humanities education community of practice through our Collective Impact efforts.

That’s incredible. It’s with your help and resources that we can continue in our mission to provide equitable access to high quality arts and humanities education for every DC student. We look forward to the next twenty years and can’t wait to keep growing and serving DC’s young scholars and our members.

We’re coming up on our 21st Birthday (always an exciting one)! In this next year we want to grow with you. How can we help you, how can you help us grow - what can we do to lift each other up to make DC better? 

Join the DC Collaborative Membership or Donate Today!

View more AHFES Story Bank Blog Posts from this School Year:

"AHFES Feature: Marching Bak in Time at George Washington's Mount Vernon"- March 22, 2018

"AHFES Feature Reblog: Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting- Walking Like a Journalist at Washington Global"- February 2, 2018

"AHFES 2017 Field-trip Re-cap"- January 1, 2018

"Story Bank: Color’s Garden: An Adventure with the Elements of Art"- November 21, 2017

"Divine Felines at the Freer|Sackler Galleries"- November 15, 2017

"A Look-in on the DC Collaborative's 2017-2018 AHFES Orientation and Membership Fair"- August 18, 2018

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Students created photo/text "milestones" after practicing close observation, descriptive writing, and interview skills with Pulitzer Center staff and journalists.

AHFES Feature Reblog: Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting- “Walking Like a Journalist at Washington Global”

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AHFES 2017 Field-Trip Recap

Submitted by: JaiAnn Haskins, DC Collaborative Marketing and Communications Intern January 1st, 2018

Happy New Year! We at the DC Collaborative would like to extend a huge thank you to everyone that helped make 2017 an amazing year of AHFES field-trips! We had a total of 22,883 reservations from over 130 DC Public and Public Charter Schools. We also had 140 School Professional Development Registrations, not to mention over 200 registrations from Collaborative Members and Teaching Artists. We are also celebrating the Collaborative’s 20th Birthday! Thank you to our School Partners and Collaborative Members for another wonderful year for Arts and Humanities Education.

Take a look at some of the trips from this year

AFRICAN ROOTS, LATINO SOUL

Presented by: Discovery Theater

This vibrant play explores what it means to be Latino, African-American, and proud, growing up in the heart of the American melting pot. How many cultures can we be? Why not all of them? Celia Cruz, mama's kitchen, and a crowded subway make for lots of laughs and surprises. Originally written with the Young Playwrights' Theater, Latino Soul is a look into the triumphs of today's kids.

Students from West Education Campus at African Roots, Latino Soul at Discovery Theater

(Photos provided by Karen Daniels)

ANIMALS DIVINE AND POWERFUL 

Presented by: The Freer|Sackler Galleries 

Animals in art serve as spiritual guides, protectors, and healers from ancient civilizations to today. See ancient Egyptian works of art in the special F│S exhibition Divine Felines: Cats of Ancient Egypt. Enjoy art from Nigeria, the Republic of the Congo, and elsewhere in Healing Arts at the National Museum of African Art.

Students from John Burroughs at Divine Felines at the Freer|Sackler Galleries and the National Museum of African Art

(Photos provided by Jai Monet Photography)

Students from Francis Scott Key Elementary School felt inspired after their visit to the Freer|Sackler Galleries to see Divine Felines

(Photo provided by Janis Linden)

A few of the students from Dorothy Height Elementary School’s 2nd-grade class shared their thoughts about City By Design at the National Building Museum. 

Here are some of the survey responses from E.L. Haynes Public Charter School about their trip to see Grey Skies Blue at the Kennedy Center 

STEP AFRIKA!’s MAGICAL MUSICAL HOLIDAY STEP SHOW

Presented by: Atlas Performing Arts Center

Step Afrika!'s Magical Musical Holiday Step Show is the most vibrant holiday celebration in town! This fun, family-friendly performance will have you stomping your feet and clapping your hands to energetic beats from Step Afrika! and special guest, DJ Frosty the Snowman. Over the last six years, this internationally-renowned percussive dance company has created a contemporary holiday tradition at the Atlas, featuring friendly, furry characters, pre-show instrument-making workshops, photo ops, and even a dance party. Why celebrate the holidays sitting still when you can step with Step Afrika!

Step Afrika!'s Magical Musical Holiday Step Show is suited to adults and kids age four and up. Join us in the lobby 30 minutes before show time to decorate your own musical instrument so you can make music with Step Afrika! during the performance.

(Photos provided by Jai Monet Photography)

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AHFES September Recap

Arts and Humanities for Every Student Fall Lottery Opens in Celebration of National Arts in Education Week

This month the Arts and Humanities for Every Student field-trip program opened in celebration of National Arts in Education Week the week of September 11! We are working hard with our members, funders and community stakeholders to collectively and equitably meet the demand of a record 50,000 ticket requests from more than a record 110 schools from every ward in the district! 

Calling All Teachers: Did your school miss out on the Fall Lottery? There are more trips available to request on our website. Do you need to check if your school is a partner? Contact Rebekka Nickman: [email protected] or 202-470-6467 ext. 1.

September Field-trip Highlights

We are also please to announce that for the first year, we piloted an early registration lottery with trips in September. Almost 2,700 students attended Step Afrika! @ National Museum of African American History and Culture, African Roots Latino Soul with Discovery Theatre and Jazzin' InSchool Blues Workshop with DC Jazz Festival.

Field-trip descriptions are below!

AFRICAN ROOTS, LATINO SOUL Presented by: Discovery Theater This vibrant play explores what it means to be Latino, African-American, and proud, growing up in the heart of the American melting pot. How many cultures can we be? Why not all of them? Celia Cruz, mama’s kitchen, and a crowded subway make for lots of laughs and surprises. Originally written with the Young Playwrights' Theater, Latino Soul is a look into the triumphs of today’s kids. Dates: 9/25/17 Time: 10:15 and 11:30 AM Length of Event: 45 minutes Location: Discovery Theater, Ripley Center 1100 Jefferson Drive, SW Washington, DC 20024 Discipline: Theatre Curriculum Connections: Diversity, Urban Studies, Foreign Language, History/Geography, Civics Grades: 5th-8th grades

JAZZIN' INSCHOOL BLUES HARP WORKSHOP WITH DAVE SCHROEDER Presented by: DC Jazz Festival DC Jazz Festival presents NYU Steinhardt School Jazz Studies Director, Dr. Dave Schroeder's Blues Harp Workshop. Dr. Schroeder will guide students through an engaging and interactive lesson on the history of blues music and the blues harp. Students in attendance will receive their very own blues harp. Dates: 9/26/17 Time: 11:00 AM Length of Event: 60-90 minutes Location: NYU DC Auditorium 1307 L Street, NW Washington, DC 20005 Discipline: Music, Music History Curriculum Connections: History/Geography, Performing Arts, Music Grades: 4th

STEPPING WITH STEP AFRIKA! AT THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY AND CULTURE Presented by: Step Afrika!  Step Afrika! will offer a highly interactive performance for first grades students that highlights the rhythm, physicality and history of stepping, and culminates in a group activity to get students on their feet. The program highlights the ties between stepping, college life and academic achievement. It introduces the concepts of teamwork, discipline and commitment. Performers incorporate world traditions, demonstrated through the lively South African gumboot dance. Students enjoy learning basic step choreography and discover how dance brings people and cultures together. Program Time: 10:30am & 12:30pm Date(s): September 25, 2017 Length of Event: 45 minutes Location: Oprah Winfrey Theater, National Museum of African American History and Culture Discipline: Humanities and Dance Curriculum Connections: Diversity, World Traditions, Rhythm Grade Level(s): 1st grade

Quick Links

DC Collaborative’s AHFES Online Catalogue

AHFES Field-trips Available

National Arts in Education Week

Step Afrika!

National Museum of African American History and Culture

DC Jazz Festival

Discovery Theatre

Photo Highlights from the Month!

Step Afrika! @ NMAAHC

Photo Credit: Dominic Green for Step Afrika!

Jazzin’ InSchool Blues Workshop- DC Jazz Festival

Photo Credit: DC Collaborative Team

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A Look-in on the DC Collaborative’s 2017-2018 AHFES Orientation and Membership Fair

Submitted by: JaiAnn Haskins, DC Collaborative Communications Intern August 18, 2017

Our 2017-2018 Member Fair and AHFES Orientation, held on August 17, 2017 at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, showcased the 2017-2018 Arts and Humanities for Every Student (AHFES) and Professional Development (PD) offerings and other member programs. Nearly 175 people including DC Collaborative members, partners, teachers and principals attended! Thank you to The Kennedy Center for hosting us!

For DC Collaborative Cultural Institution Members: Members participated in a professional development from our Connecting to Curriculum Workshop series led by Nathan Diamond of DCPS Arts (PowerPoint Here), Jay Wilkinson of DCPS Social Studies (PowerPoint Here) and Robert Yates of DCPS English/Language Arts (PowerPoint Here) teams and showcased their arts and humanities education programming to teachers at the Member Fair.

For Teachers and School Partners: Teachers perused Member’s Arts and Humanities Education learning opportunities at the Member Fair and heard from The Kennedy Center and DC Collaborative board and staff about AHFES program policies and logistics in preparation for the Fall Online Lottery on September 11.

Agenda

Connecting to Curriculum Workshop: A DCPS Framework for Arts Learning, Nathan Diamond, Arts Director, DCPS, Jayson Wilkinson, DCPS Social Studies, Robert Yates DCPS ELA (For DC Collaborative Cultural Institution Members)

Kennedy Center Welcome Jeanette McCune, Director DC School and Community Initiatives, The John F. Kennedy Center of the Performing Arts

Member Fair (Educators pursued AHFES and PD offerings)

DC Collaborative Welcome Linda Harper, DC Collaborative Board President

DC Collaborative 20 Year Anniversary

DC Collaborative Overview Lissa Rosenthal-Yoffe, Executive Director, DC Collaborative

Arts and Humanities for Every Student: Overview and Program Structure and Key Communicator Responsibilities Tracey Wyton, Directory of Programs and Community Engagement, DC Collaborative  

Arts and Humanities for Every Student Online Lottery Rebekka Nickman, Program Manager, DC Collaborative

Networking

View the AHFES Orientation PowerPoint

AHFES School Enrollment for DC Public and Public Charter Schools

Missed the orientation and still want to participate in the AHFES program? Schools may register for an orientation webinar on September 8 at 4:30. RSVP Here

AHFES Fall Lottery

In Celebration of National Arts in Education Week the DC Collaborative is opening the AHFES Fall Lottery on  Monday, September 11. View our AHFES Registration Page to make sure you have completed all of the steps necessary to register your school for the AHFES program.

Quick Links

DC Collaborative

Volunteer for Whole Foods 5% Day

The Kennedy Center

DCPS Arts- PowerPoint Here

DCPS Social Studies- PowerPoint Here

DCPS English/Language Arts- PowerPoint Here

AHFES Orientation- PowerPoint Here

Makeup Orientation Webinar- RSVP Here

National Arts in Education Week 

AHFES Registration Page

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The Wunderkind Projeckt: A Success Story

Submitted by: Eva Steinhardt, DC Collaborative Communications Intern May 10th, 2017

The Washington Bach Consort entered the performance space to a wave a clapping and cheers from an audience made up over two hundred 2nd to 6th graders. Recognizing the musicians from in-school workshops, which had been run in the schools over the last few weeks, the kids, welcomed the performers with giddy anticipation.

If you’re a regular reader of Story Bank then this program may be familiar to you. The Wunderkind Projeckt was featured on our blog last October when the revamped version of the program was just starting out. Here is a recap of the program:

“Professional musicians and educators from the Washington Bach Consort, “the nation’s premiere baroque chorus and orchestra” will visit your school and discuss an upcoming Noontime Cantata concert which students are then invited to attend. What will your students produce after experiencing Bach's music— a newfound appreciation for music and the arts, a 21st-century Bach revival? We can’t wait to see what your "wunderkinder" can accomplish!”

“A wunderkind is a person who achieves great success when relatively young”

Watching this group of DCPS students engaging with, and listening to the Noontime Cantata was a unique experience. The Wunderkind Projekt doesn’t underestimate the students that take part and that helps to explain the programs success. 

This school year, we are happy to announce, that The Wunderkind Projeckt has been expanded. In the 2015-16 school year five Noontime Cantatas were open to DC students from grades 6 to 12, serving 182 students. However in the 2016-17 school year, the program has become one of our largest Arts and Humanities for Every Student (AHFES) field-trips, hosting 33 field-trips for students for 1,548 students from grades 2 through 12. 

The Washington Bach Consort was able to dramatically increase the number of field-trips offered because they were among the DC Collaborative members who participated in the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities’ first ever Field Trip Initiative!

Thanks to this funding a far higher proportion of DC public and charter students were able to study, and experience, the music of Bach. The reach of the program has been extensive, covering a wide grade range and levels of expertise.

Each Cantata is preceded by a classroom visit and a customized curriculum. Therefore The Wunderkind Projeckt as a program can be adapted for different student groups. Teachers contribute valuable input into this specialized curriculum design, meaning that the program to fits comfortably into wider classroom themes.

The Wunderkind Projeckt is a fantastic example of what our AHFES programs have the potential to achieve. With thought, re-evaluation, and additional resources this project has served a total of 1,730 DCPS students, convincing many that singing in German really is cool!

Quick Links:

Washington Bach Consort 

Previous Story Bank Wunderkind Projekt feature

Washington Bach Consort’s Noontime Cantata Series

DC Collaborative

DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities