Artworks for Kids Newsroom http://news.artworksforkids.org/ Artworks for Kids Newsroom <![CDATA[Friends of Art Works for Kids Completes Successful Statewide Tour, Signs Nearly 10,000 in 2009; Now Prepares for Legislative Session]]> http://news.artworksforkids.org/newsrelease-cid-1-id-10006.html http://news.artworksforkids.org/newsrelease-cid-1-id-10006.html Wed, 06 Jan 2010 20:40:38 -0700 SALT LAKE CITY  Friends of Art Works for Kids today announced the wrap-up of a successful statewide tour in 31 communities with the 53 schools that are participating in the Beverley Taylor Sorenson Arts Learning Program. Organizers rallied support from parents and educators of 30,000 elementary school children who will be affected, signing up nearly 10,000 to urge state legislators to continue funding.

Launched Sept. 22 with a whistle-stop tour and a new user-friendly Web site, Friends of Art Works for Kids is a grassroots organization promoting an education program that places arts specialists in elementary schools. The arts specialists work in a highly structured partnership with classroom teachers to improve the understanding of the core subjects:  math, science, language arts and social studies.

The state legislature funded the program for four years in 2008 and named it after long-time arts education advocate and Art Works for Kids founder Beverley Taylor Sorenson. However in 2009, legislators cut 37 percent of the money. Gov. Gary Herbert’s proposed budget includes funding for a third year, but legislators must approve it during the upcoming 2010 legislative session.  

“We appreciate Gov. Herbert’s support of the program,” said Sorenson. “And we are thankful for the leadership legislators have showed in the past. We are asking them to please find a way to continue this program that is so important for Utah schoolchildren.”

Studies and anecdotal evidence strongly suggest test scores for core curriculum subjects go up and behavior problems go down when grade school children receive an integrated arts education. The legislature’s original one-time, four-year funding was intended to allow educators sufficient time to scientifically document the program’s results in 53 public schools around the state.

“From St. George to Brigham City, we met with thousands of parents and educators from every school that will be affected,” said Lisa Cluff, director of Friends of Art Works for Kids. “They expressed how important arts specialists are for their children’s level of achievement and interest in learning. It was inspiring to see how each school finds unique ways to integrate arts into the core curriculum.

“We appreciate the legislators’ foresight in providing the funding and anticipate their continued support for the coming year,” said Cluff. “We hope citizens from across the state will join us by speaking up and telling their legislators how important this program is to them and their children.” 

To join Friends of Art Works for Kids, visit: www.artworksforkids.org. Individuals may also contact their legislators directly through the site at www.artworksforkids.org/find-your-legislators.

About Friends of Art Works for Kids

Friends of Art Works for Kids is a grassroots initiative created to ensure that Utah’s school children receive the benefits of high-quality, integrated arts instruction through the Beverley Taylor Sorenson Arts Learning Program. Using the Art Works for Kids teaching model, the program integrates art into the core curriculum, effectively increasing student performance in every subject—from language arts and social studies to math and science.

]]> <![CDATA[Friends of Art Works for Kids Announces Launch of Utah-wide Advocacy Initiative, Web Site]]> http://news.artworksforkids.org/newsrelease-cid-1-id-10003.html http://news.artworksforkids.org/newsrelease-cid-1-id-10003.html Tue, 22 Sep 2009 06:17:00 -0600 www.artworksforkids.org. This statewide grassroots initiative has been created to ensure that Utah school children receive the benefits of high-quality integrated arts instruction by advocating the Utah Legislature's ongoing support of the Beverley Taylor Sorenson Arts Learning Program in Utah elementary schools. Due to budget shortfalls, funding for the program will be cut at the end of the 2009-10 school year, unless the Utah Legislature acts to extend the program, based on feedback from parents and other concerned citizens from throughout the state.

The newly launched Web site provides resources for parents and other community members to get involved in the Friends of Art Works for Kids initiative and play an active role in ensuring the continuation of the Beverley Taylor Sorenson Arts Learning Program. Through the site, parents can identify and email their legislators directly, discover upcoming advocacy events in their communities and stay informed on the most recent news and progress of the program. The Web site also provides essential information about the program and compelling examples of how the integrated arts approach is being utilized at a variety of Utah elementary schools.

In conjunction with the launch of the Web site and advocacy group, Art Works for Kids Founder Beverley Taylor Sorenson and the Friends of Art Works for Kids team will travel throughout the state to garner community support for the program and to educate Utahns about the benefits of integrated arts learning. The team will visit more than 20 communities through September, October and November.

"We are delighted with the response we have been getting from many parents and other members of Utah communities in support of this integrated arts teaching model and the program," said Sorenson, an education innovator and philanthropist. "We also appreciate the support and vision our state legislators have already provided for this program, and we hope they will continue their role in this endeavor. In this crucial time for Utah, parents and other concerned citizens throughout the state need to let their legislators know that there is no substitute for quality integrated arts instruction in a child's education."

In 2008, the Utah State Legislature voted to fund the Beverley Taylor Sorenson Arts Learning Program, which strategically incorporates arts into the core curriculum. Under the direction of the Utah Arts Council, the program provides quality integrated arts instruction in over 50 elementary schools in 20 districts across Utah. It currently serves approximately 30,000 students.

Schools implementing the program have seen extraordinary improvements in student engagement, behavior and academic performance in every core subject area, including math, science and language arts.

"Not only have we seen dramatic increases in the number of students passing the required academic AYP [Average Yearly Progress], but discipline problems have also declined sharply, since implementing the integrated arts teaching model," said Dale Porter, principal of Dixie Sun Elementary in St. George. "In my experience, there is nothing that creates greater confidence, school spirit and genuine engagement in the learning process like the quality integrated arts instruction in the Beverley Taylor Sorenson Arts Learning Program."

"Proficiencies in language arts and math have both clearly and notably increased after integrating the arts into our core curriculum," said Launa Harvey, principal of Monroe Elementary in West Valley City. "The connection to visual and performing arts, effectively integrated into the entire core curriculum through this model, provides a deep personal connection to learning. The resulting improvements in school performance and satisfaction are real and profound."

About Friends of Art Works for Kids

Friends of Art Works for Kids is a grassroots initiative created to ensure that Utah's school children receive the benefits of high-quality, integrated arts instruction through the Beverley Taylor Sorenson Arts Learning Program. The program integrates art into the core curriculum, effectively increasing student performance in every subject-from language arts and social studies to math and science.]]> <![CDATA[Friends of Art Works for Kids Selects Studeo to Brand Initiative and Build Its Web Site]]> http://news.artworksforkids.org/newsrelease-cid-1-id-10004.html http://news.artworksforkids.org/newsrelease-cid-1-id-10004.html Tue, 22 Sep 2009 08:50:00 -0600 www.artworksforkids.org.

The newly launched Web site provides resources for parents and other community members to get involved in the Friends of Art Works for Kids initiative and play an active role in ensuring the continuation of the Beverley Taylor Sorenson Arts Learning Program. Through the site, parents can identify and email their legislators directly, discover upcoming advocacy events in their communities, and stay informed of the most recent news and progress of the program. The Web site also provides essential information about the program and compelling examples of how the integrated arts approach is being utilized at a variety of Utah elementary schools.
 
Studeo, headquartered in Salt Lake City, is a marketing agency with a strong domain focus on direct response. The agency has done notable work in the education domain for Kaplan Higher Education and Kaplan University. Other clients include ICON Health & Fitness, DirecTV, InFocus, Gold’s Gym, Marinello Schools of Beauty and Sorenson Genomics.

“We chose Studeo for its outstanding creative work, strong expertise in the education field and proven ability to move people to action,” said Lisa Cluff, managing director of Friends of Art Works for Kids. “We are confident that the Studeo team will play a major part in helping educate and motivate parents of Utah elementary school students to get involved in sharing the benefits of the Beverley Taylor Sorenson Arts Learning Program to members of the Utah Legislature.”  

“It is a genuine honor for us to be involved in helping ensure the continuation of this outstanding educational program,” said Scott Kendall, president of Studeo. “It is easy to believe in what Friends of Art Works for Kids is working to achieve.”

About Friends of Art Works for Kids

Friends of Art Works for Kids is a grassroots initiative created to ensure that Utah’s school children receive the benefits of high-quality, integrated arts instruction through the Beverley Taylor Sorenson Arts Learning Program. Using the Art Works for Kids teaching model, the program integrates art into the core curriculum, effectively increasing student performance in every subject—from language arts and social studies to math and science.]]>