Students in Prince Edward Island schools are experiencing a creative approach to learning and developing their artistic skills through the 12 new ArtsSmarts projects funded by the provincial government.
ArtsSmarts brings students, educators and artistic communities together to nurture creative thinkers and foster an appreciation for the arts. The 2010 projects range from learning science and environmental studies through visual arts to learning math through sculpture.
Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Doug Currie commended the students and artists on their creativity and acknowledged the support of school staff and volunteers who made these opportunities possible for students. “These projects make learning fun for students and help them discover their strengths and interests,” said Minister Currie. “We are grateful to all those who came up with the ideas, applied for the funding and worked tirelessly with students to see their projects through to fruition.”
“I am pleased my department is able to support an initiative that helps Island youth develop artistic skills and an increased appreciation for the arts,” said Tourism and Culture Minister Robert Vessey. “I want to express gratitude to the artists, program coordinator, teachers and community leaders who work to develop the students’ creativity in such a fun and engaging way.”
“ArtsSmarts projects show how it is possible to integrate art into all aspects of the school curriculum at any level,” says Cecile Arsenault, ArtsSmarts Coordinator for Prince Edward Island. “Through collaboration and creativity, we are expanding the boundaries of learning in science, math, social studies and language arts at the elementary, intermediate and senior high levels,” she said.
Students in Montague Consolidated develop spatial thinking ( Mathematics) by transforming two-dimensional drawings into three-dimensional mobiles, sculptures and reliefs with artist Ahman Katz. At Sherwood Elementary, Becka Viau helps students examine cultural traditions and costumes (Social Studies) to create cultural masks that will collectively form a sculpture for the school. Terry Dunton-Stevenson and students at Eliot River Elementary are exploring Art History (Social Studies) through biographies of famous artists and will apply the techniques of the masters to their own creative work on canvas. Chris Dahn is helping Morell Consolidated students use paper maché, clay and paint to celebrate the collaborative ideas, values and cultures of the new school community that formed from school closures. École Évangéline students, with Lucie Bellemare and Paul Gallant, will explore various styles of writing (Language Arts) in order to create a large book of their own writing and illustrations.
Students at Merritt .E.Callaghan Intermediate are creating an artistic impression of the plants that live in the Island eco-system (Biology), while Three Oaks Senior High environmental studies students will demonstrate their knowledge of how water is used in the environment.
ArtsSmarts PEI is administered and funded by the Department of Tourism and Culture and the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development. ArtsSmarts PEI is a proud partner of the national ArtsSmarts Network.