Friday, November 14, 2008

From Diane Franken: IOWA WEST PUBLIC ART UNVEILS FIRST ART EDUCATION POSTER

posters are available at http://www.iowawestpublicart.org/education/educator-resources.asp

Iowa West Public Art (IWPA), an initiative of the Iowa West Foundation, today launches an arts education curriculum with the first in a series of posters that may one day inspire students to further their own artistic talents.

As public art by some of the most well-known and respected artists in the world becomes part of the community landscape, IWPA is developing new teaching tools to bring public art to the classroom.

Jody Boyer, education specialist and fellow of the Iowa West Foundation, and Shari Hofschire, director of the Center for Innovation in Arts Education(CIAE) will present the first teaching guide to the Council Bluffs Community School District at the school board meeting Tuesday, November 11, 2008 at 6:45 p.m. at the Council Bluffs school district administration office, 12 Scott Street.

Iowa West Foundation executive director and CEO, Todd Graham, says the curriculum guide developed with the CIAE is based on arts education standards developed by the Kennedy Center. It is intended to give students an appreciation for public art. He added, “The public art sites taking shape in Council Bluffs, Iowa are something to celebrate, a cultural asset that sets our community apart. With strong curriculum, our teachers will have another tool to inspire artistic potential and creativity in our students.” Graham hopes that the materials will be incorporated into art classrooms and libraries in western Iowa.

The first IWPA art education poster and curriculum guide features the art by Brower Hatcher in Bayliss Park. Each poster provides a beautiful presentation of the public art installation and curriculum that can be used in educational venues, museums and art centers throughout the world. IWPA plans to develop a poster with corresponding education curriculum as each public art installation is completed.

The art education posters will be distributed to schools and libraries throughout western Iowa. Poster are Area educators may request materials by contacting Jody Boyer at the Iowa West Foundation, (712) 309-3008 or jboyer@iowawest.com. The posters may also be downloaded by any educator, school, library or individual for educational or personal use at http://www.iowawestpublicart.org/education/educator-resources.asp

Iowa West Public Art is an initiative of the Iowa West Foundation. Founded in 2004, IWPA is guided by a community-driven Public Art Master Plan which designates over fifty public art sites in the City of Council Bluffs, Iowa. IWPA’s vision for the year 2015 is a community with a national and international reputation for high quality art that attracts visitors from all over the world and fuels economic development. Find out more at www.iowawestpublicart.org.

The Iowa West Foundation is an independent 501(c) (3) organization that makes grants in southwest Iowa and eastern Nebraska. The Iowa West Foundation is one of the largest community-based private foundations in the Midwest. Its grants have improved the lives of thousands of citizens in more than 100 communities. Find at more at www.iowawestfoundation.org

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