Mamquam Elementary is embarking on a journey.
With them, the students will bring paints, musical instruments and, most importantly, their imaginations.
Last June, around 200 schools in B.C. applied to be a part of this new initiative called ArtStarts, music teacher Anne Thomson said. They were shortlisted to 21, six were chosen. We are the only Lower Mainland school that got chosen.
The three-year program, directed by the organization Infusion: Arts in Education, integrates art into all learning components. During a recent social studies class on Indonesia, pupils explored the country's music, visual and dramatic arts. They also learned a local dance, Thomson added.
Traditionally, arts and academic studies were separated. The new initiative aims to bring creative thinking into science, mathematics and other courses, Thomson said. For the duration of the program, Mamquam Elementary has been paired with Bowen Island visual artist Andrea Klaan. She will help the school with its various projects.
This year Year 1 of the program is all about planning, Thomson said. By Year 2, the initiative will be incorporated into a kindergarten, a Grade 3 and 4 split class and a Grade 5 and 6 split class. By Year 3, the program will spread to take in more students.
By Year 5, every class will be involved, Thomson said, adding that school officials aim to keep the Infusion program going after the official designation expires.
The whole process will be documented in an effort to understand its effects on student participation and learning, she noted. The classroom is always evolving to meet students needs. Having taught for 22 years, in an age of iPhones, Thomson said she's changed her teaching style to incorporate a wide variety of mediums.
On May 28 and 29, students are transforming the school's gymnasium into MOMA Museum of Mamquam Art. The exhibit will showcase a variety of multimedia work, Thomson said. There will be live performances and videos placed around the space highlighting projects the students worked on in class.
Arts integration is not a new concept in education, but it's been gaining traction in recent years. Since 1996, ArtStarts has provided arts programs for young people, practical resources for teachers and leadership in advocacy for arts in education, the program's executive director Navida Nuraney said in a statement.
Infusion is a natural extension, and a wonderful opportunity for us to deepen the impact of making learning come alive for young people, Nuraney said.
For more information on the program visit artsinfusion.ca.
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