Arts Alliance at Abington Heights
Arts Alliance at Abington Heights (AAAH) is an artist-in-residence program that integrates the arts and the community with the elementary curriculum. The program enhances and supplements the academic curriculum through guest speakers, artists and various lively hand-on experiences.
The program has been running for 5 years at only one of the district's elementary schools, Newton Ransom. With AEIO support, AAAH plans to continue at Newton Ransom and expand to the other elementary schools and the middle school.
Themes for past programs have integrated social studies, science, and language arts curriculums, as well as art.
- "Rollin' up the River" included the history, life and culture along the Mississippi River through dance, music, quilting, journaling, poetry and research during the month-long artist-in-residence program. 300 Students were involved.
- "Our Anthracite Heritage" examined the history and culture of northeast Pennsylvania including mining, architecture, town life, trains, historical sites and local figures of interest. The Anthracite Heritage Museum was a valuable partner in this program.
Other programs were "Making a Difference" (diversity, tolerance, intergenerational activities) and "Ocean's Alive" (ecosystems, interdependence of all life).
Each program lasts from 6 to 8 weeks and involves an artist-in-residency in dance, music or theater for a month. Another artist for two weeks helps the students create a visual history of the program. Fourth graders are the core of the program, but students from all elementary grades are involved. Each program ends with a performance and display of students' work. Community support is an important element in the success of these programs.
With funding from AEIO, AAAH would purchase durable equipment for the programs at Newton Ransom (sound proofing for the gym, digital camera) and would be able to expand to other elementary schools and the middle school (staff training, hiring the artists, buying necessary equipment).
Before the Arts Alliance at Abington Heights, many of the students at Newton Ransom never had an opportunity to study dance, participate in theater or work with senior citizens. AAAH provides active hands-on learning, meeting different learning needs and styles. The program builds students' self-esteem and confidence.