As we have discussed many times on Art Ally, the lack of funding for art education can prevent a child from truly experiencing the arts. But, in this article by Michael Kaiser, “What is Wrong With the Arts“,  he has a strong differing opinion. His belief is that the arts are in trouble because, “there is simply not enough excellent art being created.” Kaiser’s thought is that lately it is too much about the production. Millions of dollars are spent creating a hype or buzz about a new musician or production, instead of focusing on the true beauty and talent of it all. Although popular entertainment is inventive or creative in a sense, it does not compare to classical art such as opera, ballet, and the theater. Kaiser admits that there are some, if few, amazing talents out there, but that is not enough. In order to encourage and inspire these talented people, he challenges us by saying, “We in responsible arts positions must give  [younger people] something to talk about.”

Please take a moment to visit The National Endowment for the Arts’ (NEA) site on funding and education opportunities. The NEA offers these opportunities to all areas of the arts, including, but not limited to, art education, music, dance, folk and traditional art, and theater. The deadline to apply for this funding is quickly approaching on March 1, 2011. If you are interested in applying, the NEA provides free grant training webinars, please click here for those dates and times. Also, please make sure to watch the presentation on the new application guidelines for Grants for Art Projects. Don’t miss this great opportunity!

Although colors surround us every day, most of us would never think of the difference they make in our lives. Color Therapy, also known as chromotherapy or light therapy, is an astounding practice that uses light and color to positively impact a person’s physical and mental health. Since color is a combination of light and energy, it is important to realize that color not only enters our bodies through our eyes, but also our skin. Once in our body, it can have effects on our hormones and therefore our moods.

It is interesting to note that certain colors like blue and green tend to have a calming effect and could make a positive difference in your mood if you paint your living room or bedroom in those colors. This Art Therapy Blog provides even more information on this subject. It is noted that in a future article they will be diving deeper into specific colors and their effects. Can’t wait!

In several schools in Howard County, located in Baltimore, MD, school officials have taken a new approach to their students’ learning. In almost every subject, math, science, language arts, social studies, etc., teachers are infusing art, dance, drawing, and painting.

Teachers are already saying that they can see a difference in their students since the implementation of “art integration”. One teacher at Thunder Hill Elementary School said, “Behavior problems are minimized because students want to be involved in the lessons and are suddenly fully engaged in moving their own learning into new directions.” And not only have students behaviors improved, but their test scores have as well!  After the “arts integration” program was introduced, school wide test scores in both math and reading improved.

Just this month, teachers in the Howard County area attended an “arts integration” workshop presented by artist Jacquelyn Thunfors, the author of  Paint Your Life, a book all about the concept of teaching you how to convey your ideas with images instead of words. Another great aspect of this program is that art teachers have nothing to worry about! Their classes are still in place, and work in tandem with the program.

Click here to learn more about arts integration and to read the full article by Joseph Burris.

Help keep the arts alive by participating in the Pepsi Refresh Project. Nine organizations have entered this contest in hopes of winning up-to $250,000 to help make a difference to the arts in your community. These nine organizations are all part of the 111 Arts Coalition. Some of the organizations include NAMTA, The Dave Project, and ShenenArts.

Please visit this link to learn more information and to vote! Just a couple minutes of your time now through January 31st, 2011 can help make a difference to the arts in your community. You can vote in three different ways, so make sure to do all three and make your vote count!

Learn more about the Pepsi Refresh Project.

“Art Therapy Reflections” is a great blog by Karen Wallace about all aspects of art therapy.  Karen has an extremely respectable background as an Art Therapist, artist, and focused trainer who specializes in depression, trauma, and life transitions.  She recently posed the question on her blog, “How was your art experience in school?”. Responses have been pouring in with people’s advice, inspirations, stories of support and discouragement, and much more. Take some time to visit her blog, “Art Therapy Reflections” and participate in this interesting discussion. Art Therapy Reflections

Forget going door to door selling candy, magazines, etc., art based fundraisers are the way to go! Brian Summers makes some great points as to the benefits of holding an art based fundraiser rather than a traditional one. For example, parents do not have to worry about the safety of their children going door to door, parents are also free from the stress of fundraising, and an art fundraiser can really help build a child’s self esteem. You can visit Summers’ blog for more information here. Also, to learn how to set up an art based fundraiser for your child’s school please visit Kids Art from the Heart.

Tattoo transformation is not what usually comes to mind when thinking of art therapy, but for Eric Spurth of Sacred Transformations that is all he knows. Graduating from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago with a Masters Degree in Art Therapy, he began using his skills to transform scars, burns, and tattoos into works of art.  For many, those existing marks are a constant reminder of a troubling past, but with Spurth’s help, his clients are able to have a positive outlook on their future.

Spurth and his set of volunteers not only create the artistic tattoos, but they also help the client by working with them to set goals on who they would like to be. Best of all, if you are selected as a candidate for Sacred Transformations, the services are free!

Click here to read the rest of the article, “Art Therapist can turn Negative Past into Positive Future”. Or click here to visit the Sacred Transformations website to learn more about the process or make a donation!

Funding for art education is not only disappearing in the U.S. but all across the world, and society is fighting back. The proof is in this picture taken at Trafalgar Square in London. Seen above, UK demonstrators marched against a new proposal by the Prime Minister, David Cameron, to raise college tuition fees and cut funding for art colleges to ZERO. Many of the protesters include students of Goldsmiths, a college of the University of London, with the slogan “Education should be free for all, not a product for purchase”.

Goldsmiths is a renowned school for higher art education. Graduates from there have helped increase society’s awareness of London’s contemporary art presence, particularly Damien Hirst. With such talent  and inspiration coming from Goldsmiths and other art colleges, it is sad to hear that the UK’s government does not support them.

To read the article, “What London’s Student Protests Mean for the Future of Art” by Ben Davis, click here.

NAMTA, the International Art Materials Trade Association, is in the running for receiving funding of  250K from the Pepsi Refresh Project. NAMTA is a strong supporter of art education and they have developed a plan to help provide 25 different schools with the necessary funds to build a successful art program.  Should NAMTA receive enough votes on the Pepsi Refresh Challenge, each of the 25 schools will receive a $5,000 grant, art supplies, and a manual on how to integrate art into their classrooms and teaching.

Please take a minute to visit the Pepsi Refresh Project Website and vote for NAMTA’s proposal, “Help Teachers Bring the Arts to Life in their Classrooms!”.

YouTube Video: NAMTA Foundation Grant for Charlotte County Schools