Minnesota Scholastic Art Awards Opportunity for Grades 7 to 12

Do you have extremely talented art students in your classroom? The Minnesota Scholastic Art Awards (MSAA) is a program through the College of Visual Arts in St. Paul that recognizes Minnesota’s most talented and creative students through their artwork and/or art portfolio. Furthermore, the program offers scholarship opportunities for soon-to-be high school graduates. The winners of MSAA are celebrated by a ceremony and exhibition put on by the College of Visual Arts and the Art Educators of Minnesota. Selected art works will advance to the national competition in New York as well. 

Minnesota students in grades 7 through 12 are eligible for this opportunity. Entries may either be submitted completely online via the art teacher or the student. The entry free is $5 per individual entry submission or $20 per portfolio submission. Submissions must be completed by Friday, December 7^th, 2012. Click the link above or below for more information and how to apply. 

Minnesota Scholastic Art Awards 

Three Weeks Left for Sally Awards Nominations!

Click here to nominate an artist you know!

CALL FOR STATEWIDE NOMINATIONS! Nominations are due November 12th.

Each year, the Sally Awards - presented by the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in Saint Paul - honor individuals and organizations throughout Minnesota for their contributions to the region's artistic vitality.

Minnesota's art scene is so rich and diverse that it's impossible for us to keep up with the work being created every day in every corner of the state. You probably know about artists who are not yet on our radar screen. Don't keep their talents a secret! Any arts organization or individual in the state of Minnesota is eligible, as long as they have not already received this award.

It's easy to do. Just go to ordway.org/sallyawards and complete the simple online nomination form. The name of the nominator will remain confidential.

Individuals and organizations from any artistic or cultural field are eligible, including artists, professional administers,  volunteers, and philanthropists. Sally Awards are presented in five categories: Art Access, Vision, Initiative, Commitment, and Education

Leadership Development Opportunity for Local Arts Leaders

Do you want to learn more concepts and skills within the arts? The Americans for the Arts’ program, Local Arts Classroom, may be a great opportunity for you! This program is a 5 month virtual development series for local arts leaders. Within the Local Arts Classroom, one masters skills and concepts through the exposure of current practices of local arts development. The registration includes 90 minute webinars, 60 minute post-webinar discussion calls, networking opportunities with field leaders around the country, and availability to a classroom web portal including extra resources for further study. Individuals eligible to apply are as follows:

• Arts professionals with less than 10 years of experience 
• Undergrad and graduate students
• Professionals transitioning into local arts administration 

 

40 individuals will be accepted to participate. Participants will be granted a certificate of recognition and further opportunities to network with a broader arts community. This is a great way to learn more skills and concepts that can be integrated into the classroom.  CLICK HERE for information and learn how to apply by CLICKING HERE. 

NEA Research Grants Available

The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has increasingly aimed to discover more factors that affect participation in the arts. This year, the NEA is offering grants for research projects that seek the value and impact of the arts in the United States. The NEA's goal with this grant is "to promote public knowledge and understanding about the contribution of the arts".

The grants will range from $10,000 to $30,000 and up to 25 will be awarded. Independent school districts, public and state controlled institutions of higher education, and private institutions of higher education are eligible to apply.

The deadline for the application is November 6th, 2012. To apply, click here and for more information about this research opportunity, click the link below:

 NEA Research Grants

Information pulled from Arts Education Partnership's ArtsEd Digest: www.aep-arts.org.

You are invited to three upcoming dance classes at the Ordway!

These events are part of Ordway’s Máscaras y Milagros: Mexican Arts in MN, a series of events in October to celebrate the rich Mexican culture in Minnesota. The title reflects the elements of duality that are present in the lives of Mexicans and Mexican-Americans, which will be addressed through various topics relevant to the community. The celebration includes three performances at the Ordway by internationally renowned artists, Cultural Conversations in the community, dance classes, and a Mexican Art Exhibition at the Ordway.

For information on the various events, please visit: www.ordway.org/mexicanarts

Classes are $10 or FREE with a ticket to one of the three October World Music and Dance performances at the Ordway.

Mexica Azteca Dance Class

Monday, October 15, 6:30-7:30pm

Ordway’s Drake Room

345 Washington Street, Saint Paul

(Please enter through Ordway’s Stage Door on 5^th Street)

In this all-abilities dance workshop, students learn the symbolism and steps of traditional Mexica (Aztec) dances with Cenoch Quiroz, dancer and founder of Kalpulli Yaocenoxtli, a traditional Mexica dance and drum circle. All levels of dancers, ages eight and up, are encouraged to attend.

Delfos Modern Dance Class

Monday, October 22, 6:30-8pm

Ordway’s Drake Room

345 Washington Street, Saint Paul

(Please enter through Ordway’s Stage Door on 5^th Street)

Company members of Delfos Danza Contemporánea will teach a mixed technique class,focusing on the development of an organic, free-flowing style of movement. Their movement approach fosters a deeper understanding of the individual body, thereby facilitating the use of instinct, sensory perception, emotions and imagination in dance.

Dance experience suggested.

Latin Social Dance Class

Friday, October 26, 5:30-6:30pm

Ordway’s Drake Room

345 Washington Street, Saint Paul

(Please enter through Ordway’s main entrance)

Manuel and Carmen Rubio teach social partner dances from the Caribbean and Latin America.

Attendees to this class are encouraged to enjoy the rest of the evening at the Ordway, by purchasing a ticket to the performance of Poncho Sanchez and His Latin Jazz Band.

Classes are $10 or FREE with a ticket to one of the three October World Music and Dance performances at the Ordway.

Call Ordway’s ticket office to reserve tickets to the three dance classes and performances: 651-224-4222.

October is National Arts & Humanities Month. Be Sure to Participate!

October marks the largest annual recognition of the arts and humanities known as National Arts & Humanities Month (NAHM). NAHM expresses the importance of the arts and humanities and recognizes how it's helped create the American culture we have today. This commemoration was also made to encourage people to discover more humanities and arts within their own lives. People from coast to coast participate in honoring NAHM and you can too! Here are a few ways to celebrate NAHM in or out of your classroom: 

•  Design a poster displaying information about NAHM in the classroom. 
•  Encourage a school field trip that involves the arts and humanities.   
•  Create a student art exhibition that can be displayed at your school, public library or local business. 
•  Invite a local performer into the classroom to show his or her artistic talent.
• Organize a local art festival that anyone can participate in. 

Other suggestions for National Arts and Humanities Month can be found at the link below: 

101 Ways to Participate in NAHM

Now that you know of some ways to integrate the arts and humanities into the classroom, how will you and your students celebrate NAHM? 

Máscaras y Milagros: The Ordway to present a series of events in October to celebrate the rich Mexican culture in Minnesota

Máscaras y Milagros: The Ordway is pleased to present a series of events in October to celebrate the rich Mexican culture in Minnesota! The title reflects the elements of duality that are present in the lives of Mexicans and Mexican-Americans, which will be addressed through various topics relevant to the community.

Here are some events to put on the calendar:

Cultural Conversations

All of the Cultural Conversations listed below are FREE and open to the public.

Mexican Music in Minnesota

Friday, October 12, 7-8:30pm

El Nuevo Rodeo, 2709 East Lake Street, Minneapolis

FREE and open to the public

Artist and community leader Maya Santamaria presents on history and depth of Mexican and Chicano music in Minnesota, featuring dance demonstrations of select genres.

Following the event, attendees are welcomed by El Nuevo Rodeo to stay and enjoy the evening activities and nightclub experience, including a dance class on regional Mexican social dance forms, such as norteño, banda and cumbia grupera!

An Evening with Lila Downs

Tuesday, October 16, 7-8:30pm

East Phillips Park Cultural and Community Center, 2307 17th Ave. S, Minneapolis FREE and open to the public

Jose Luis Villaseñor, Executive Director of Latino-led environmental justice initiative Tamales y Bicicletes, facilitates a conversation with renowned vocalist and activist Lila Downs on the rights of indigenous peoples and the sacred circle of earth, and the strategies used by Ms. Downs to weave these themes into her music.

Removing the Mask: Immigration Redefined

Thursday, October 18, 7-8:30pm

University of Minnesota, La Raza Student Cultural Center in Coffman Memorial Union (Room 211)

300 Washington Avenue SE, Minneapolis

FREE and open to the public

In partnership with University of Minnesota’s La Raza Student Cultural Center, Ana Luisa Fajer, Cónsul of the Mexican Consulate, and Jimmy C. Patiño, Jr., Assistant Professor of the Department of Chicano Studies at the University of Minnesota, will present on immigration topics within the Mexican community. They will talk about the history of Mexican immigration to Minnesota and how the Mexican community has mobilized and organized to reach the place they are today.

Honoring Our Identities

Friday, October 19, 7-8:30pm

Macalester College (Weyerhaeuser Boardroom), 1600 Grand Avenue, Saint Paul

FREE and open to the public

Artist/activist Lupe Castillo facilitates a discussion and performance with Palabristas, Mexican and Latino spoken word artists based in the Twin Cities. Within their art, they carry the legacy of Mexican, Peruvian, Indigenous, Queer, Immigrant, and Activist identities. They will speak about the unveiling of masks and the acceptance of miracles within their community’s identity.

 Dance Classes

 

Classes are $10 or FREE with a ticket to one of the three October World Music and Dance performances at the Ordway.

Call the ticket office to reserve tickets to performances and classes: 651-224-4222.

Mexica Azteca Dance Class

Monday, October 15, 6:30-7:30pm

Ordway’s Drake Room

345 Washington Street, Saint Paul

(Please enter through Ordway’s Stage Door on 5th Street)

In this all-abilities dance workshop, students learn the symbolism and steps of traditional Mexica (Aztec) dances with Cenoch Quiroz, dancer and founder of Kalpulli Yaocenoxtli, a traditional Mexica dance and drum circle. All levels of dancers, ages eight and up, are encouraged to attend.

Delfos Modern Dance Class

Monday, October 22, 6:30-8pm

Ordway’s Drake Room

345 Washington Street, Saint Paul (Please enter through Ordway’s Stage Door on 5th Street)

Company members of Delfos Danza Contemporánea will teach a mixed technique class,focusing on the development of an organic, free-flowing style of movement. Their movement approach fosters a deeper understanding of the individual body, thereby facilitating the use of instinct, sensory perception, emotions and imagination in dance. Dance experience suggested.

Latin Social Dance Class

Friday, October 26, 5:30-6:30pm

Ordway’s Drake Room

345 Washington Street, Saint Paul

(Please enter through Ordway’s main entrance)

Manuel and Carmen Rubio teach social partner dances from the Caribbean and Latin America.

Attendees to this class are encouraged to enjoy the rest of the evening at the Ordway, by purchasing a ticket to the performance of Poncho Sanchez and His Latin Jazz Band.

For more information on these events, please visit http://www.ordway.org/mexicanarts/