Success in any field requires creative and critical thinking.
ARTS
ASK's arts program focus is to provide as many opportunities as possible for practical, everyday applications of art. If students are regularly in process with their creativity, they will seek out art and engage in it throughout their lives. We are not seeking artistic excellence from our students; that is not our mission. We practice process-based arts engagement and enrichment to better students' lives and education experience. We want our students to explore the arts broadly in relation to civics, technology, and humanity.
Following are seven intentions and outcomes for ASK immersive arts programming. These goals have been identified by ASK administration, with input from parents, students, artists, and consultants for best practices around creative engagement.
To engage students in visual art-making experiences (mural and canvas projects) that invite them into the creative process together. In this work, the process is more important than the product. Students are invited to co-create as they learn, and are challenged to accept their peers contributions while embracing the collaborative process.
To engage students in storytelling experiences as a regular part of their education. We want our students to practice self-expression, develop deeper understanding, build vocabulary, learn healthy communication, and practice critical thinking on a day-to-day basis.
To maintain and expand ASK's Arts Journaling efforts. One hundred percent of our students are participating regularly in arts journaling work, with an abundance of age-appropriate materials and found materials that allow students to engage creatively with their educational experience. We know that when students are able to create something that relates to what they are learning, they are more likely to retain what they are learning because they are taking ownership of it.
To utilize the arts to engage ASK youth participants about Wyoming, U.S., and World histories and cultures. Visiting artists have included Wyoming Arts Council artists Paul Taylor and Willie LeClair. Local folkloric dancers, Mexican folk artists, and regional hip-hop artists and songwriters have also contributed to our arts and music programming.
To incorporate music into all aspects of the broader ASK curriculum, which is centered around S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) principles. This includes using music as inspiration and lesson content and working with students to understand how music and sound shape the world around us. After School for Kids has hosted artists from Denver music education programs Youth on Record and Swallow Hill, as well as more locally based artists from Cheyenne, Laramie, and Fort Collins.
To engage students in project-based learning that incorporates design thinking and their creative work. All ASK students participate in several 6-week project-based learning units throughout the academic year.
To host end-of-semester community presentations, which allow students to showcase performance skills learned, as well as information and outcomes from Project-Based Learning experiences.
"Wildflower Society"
Mixed Media, ASK elementary collective process
Acrylic, collage, blackout poetry
Summer 2022
