ESPrit de Corps

Yes, it’s true.  The arts are helpful, wonderful, useful, and productive!
Below are two recent blog posts to serve as a bright spot amid the depressing headlines.

*  A Missing Piece in the Economic Stimulus: Hobbling Arts Hobbles Innovation
* Liz Lerman, who spoke at Summer Seminar 2004 offers  A Proposed Job Swatch to Save American  Capitalism
Enjoy!

[Read more →]

When I need an escape from another reminder that the nation is indeed in a recession, this week I’ve been finding a wealth of discussions on the internet that remind me of the power and complexity of the arts-in-education field.  Some of the discourse is (politely) contentious, but I see contradiction as another opportunity for […]

[Read more →]

When I teach a yoga class, some students focus intently on what they want but don’t yet understand how to accomplish. Other students focus on judgmentally comparing themselves to others in the class. This mix probably happens in any group of students… the Learning self and the Critical self.
Sometimes being a beginner is cause for […]

[Read more →]

I’ve found that posting for the the first time to a blog is kind of like your first kiss with someone. Too spontaneous and it could be awkward. However, there’s certainly the downside to over thinking it. You want it to be packed with meaning and, deep down, maybe fear that it doesn’t mean as […]

[Read more →]

DreamYard and PS/MS 95 have been art partners for the last four years.  This year is our second year partnering in an ESP grant.  We currently have 15 arts integrated residencies that include visual arts, theater and dance, plus two after school arts programs in theater and visual arts.  This is their first year together […]

[Read more →]

Our school has been involved in ESP for a number of years, but we started a new partnership this year with Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center. Hallwalls is a great fit for our school, they have programs dealing with all of the areas our students major in (theatre, dance, music, new media, and visual art), so […]

[Read more →]

The caveat to the unfolding tale:
What does this unfolding childhood reverie have to do with my becoming an artist, an educator or an art administrator? In particular, how is it meant to speak directly to my colleagues in the ESP community? In David’s last entry where he asks us to “take the kinda […]

[Read more →]

My journey includes three tide pools, a sneak naked swim at Forty Steps Beach, a long gaze at Egg rock and finally several hours in the hidden upstairs stacks of the town library. I’m in the private exhilaration that comes with successfully sneaking past the librarian, hiding myself upstairs with the glass (yes glass) […]

[Read more →]

Recently my colleague and now friend, the esteemed Rob Southworth and I were locked in glittery pre-holiday party banter. Wine in hand we recollected early childhood groundbreaking inspirations in art and in education. My story had to do with a black and white poster featuring a shirtless Paul Newman as Cool Hand Luke.
The […]

[Read more →]

I wrote this title to get your attention. Does it make you nervous? Angry? Is it a call to arms? Does it make you say, “Who can I talk to to set the story straight?” That’s what it does for me.
Last week Dale Davis forwarded an article to the Association of Teaching Artists listserve from […]

[Read more →]