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Hub Quick Hits: Immersive summer arts programs for middle school students

Offered by the Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities

It's really never too soon to make those summer plans for school-aged children.

Young artists in grades 6-9 can explore and refine their artistic talents in overnight summer programs offered by the South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities. Located in downtown Greenville, the Governor’s School’s summer programs are led by practicing artists and provide students with foundational skills in creative writing, dance, drama, film, music or visual arts. South Carolina students can apply now at SCGSAH.org. Financial assistance is available for all programs through the Governor’s School Foundation. [caption id="attachment_52784" align="aligncenter" width="949"]A mixed group of around 15 male and female teenaged students on a light gray stage floor and black background, dressed in black with arms extended or raised as part of a drama production. There are no set pieces, and microphones extend over them on booms. SCGSAH drama students. Photo provided.[/caption]
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Jason Rapp

Inspire tomorrow’s readers through drama

Spark program seeks teaching artists

The South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities is seeking experienced theatre teaching artists comfortable with elementary-aged students for summer and fall residencies.

Burning sparkler on a dark or black background. Curriculum and materials are provided, with room for some personalization by each artist. The Spark program focuses on book centered drama classes with the mission of Inspiring Tomorrow's Readers through Drama.
  • Summer residencies are Monday-Friday for 1-5 weeks depending on site and availability. Travel per diems are offered to cover mileage, food, and lodging for distant sites. Half-day or full-day are both possible.
  • School-year residencies are for two days per week with a commitment of 15-20 weeks at a single site, with travel per diems for distant locations—including for overnight lodging to stay for the two days of teaching.
These opportunities come with generous compensation, paid training, and observation opportunities. Sites may be in the following counties: Abbeville, Calhoun, Darlington, Dillon, Edgefield, Fairfield, Florence, Laurens, Lee, Marion, Marlboro, Newberry, Richland, Saluda, and Williamsburg. Send resume and cover letter to Melanie Trimble, Spark grant director, SC Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities: melanietrimble@scgsah.org. Sample elementary lesson plans or workshop outlines only strengthen your application. Teaching certification is not required, health and SLED screenings typical for school based work will be expected upon hiring.
Spark is supported by Arts Grow SC, which is funded by the South Carolina Arts Commission and the South Carolina Department of Education through American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary Schools Emergency Relief (ARP ESSER) funds.

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Applications open for tuition-free, arts-immersive S.C. high school

SCGSAH also offers junior high programming

APPLICATION DEADLINE: January 13, 2023 (residential high school)

The South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities, a public, residential high school for artistically talented students, is now accepting applications for the 2023/2024 school year and arts-immersive, overnight summer programs.

All South Carolina residents in grades 6-11 are eligible to apply online at SCGSAH.org. Students who enjoy creative writing, drama, music and visual arts can explore their interests in the one-week Arts Odyssey program for current 7th and 8th graders. The Arts Odyssey music program is offering new specialty sessions including Ensemble Immersion workshops, Solo Intensives, Jazz Improvisation and Songwriting and Composition. Current ninth-grade students who desire a more intensive, pre-professional experience can attend the two-week Academy program. This summer, the Governor’s School is also offering a new two-week program, Introduction to Filmmaking, for 7th and 8th-grade students with an interest in screenwriting and film production. Students interested in dance can attend the two-week Dance Immersion program or the five-week Summer Dance intensive program. In the nationally renowned, tuition-free, Residential High School, students receive pre-professional training in creative writing, dance, drama, music and visual arts. They explore and refine their talents in a one-of-a-kind, arts-centered community while receiving a high school education that has been nationally recognized by U.S. News and World Report, The Washington Post, The Daily Beast and Niche. The Governor’s School’s SAT and ACT scores consistently rank above state and national averages, and many students receive arts and academic scholarships to the most prestigious colleges, universities and conservatories. The reviews and rankings site, Niche.com, ranked the Governor’s School as the third “Best College Prep High School” and the fourth “Best Public High School” in South Carolina. Interested students can apply online at SCGSAH.org.
  • The priority deadline for Arts Odyssey, Dance Immersion and Introduction to Filmmaking is December 19.
  • The priority deadline for Academy, Summer Dance and the Residential High School is January 13, 2023.
Applications will still be received after these deadlines until all openings are filled. Financial assistance is available for all programs through the Governor’s School Foundation. The Governor’s School invites all interested families to come to campus in downtown Greenville for Go Govie! Day on November 5 to learn more about their programs and explore the specialized arts studios, state-of-the-art performance halls, world-class library and dedicated rehearsal spaces. Register at SCGSAH.org/go-govie-day.
Located in Greenville, the South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities (SCGSAH) cultivates young artists from across the state through pre-professional training in the areas of creative writing, dance, drama, music and visual arts. In the public, residential high school, students refine their talents in a master-apprentice community while receiving a nationally recognized academic education. Summer programs are available to rising 7th-12th grade students, and SCGSAH serves as a resource to all teachers and students in South Carolina, offering comprehensive outreach programs designed to bring together artists, educators, community organizations and schools. SCGSAH.org | Follow @SCGSAH on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

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Arts Grow SC partner uses drama techniques to motivate young readers

Spark is presented by the S.C. Governor's School for the Arts & Humanities

Elementary school students struggling to meet reading benchmarks in will now have additional support thanks to a three-year, Arts Grow SC grant of $3.7 million to expand an arts education program called Spark.

Administered by the South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities, this regional outreach program uses drama strategies to improve reading engagement and motivation, as well as creative and divergent thinking among students. Spark’s teaching artists will work with students in Calhoun, Florence, Richland, and Williamsburg counties throughout the school year. Additional schools will be added over the next two years as the program progresses. “Hundreds of third grade students are identified through Read to Succeed each year as being in need of additional support,” said Carol Baker, director of outreach and community engagement at the Governor’s School. “We know that meaningful connections are made for children when they learn through the arts, and the unique relationship between drama, storytelling and reading is showing promising trends in our research.” In 2018, the school partnered with the South Carolina Arts Commission and University of South Carolina Department of Theatre and Dance to examine the potential impact that the Spark drama curriculum had on reading motivation and success for young children. The program was piloted in Williamsburg County as a summer camp for at-risk readers through the state-mandated Read to Succeed Act. Based on encouraging early trends, within three years Spark had expanded into Jasper County and received national recognition with the Research Initiative-Institution Award from Arts Schools Network. Through Spark, actor-teachers empower students to bring stories and characters to life using basic acting tools. “When students can use their imaginations to create movements, gestures, voices and settings, books become more than just words and images on a page. They become a lived experience that students can connect with on a personal and emotional level,” explained Baker. The Governor’s School hired multiple theatre teaching artists to coordinate curriculum and provide long term drama residencies in select schools throughout South Carolina. These actor-teachers will provide partnering schools with classroom and group drama services that include co-teaching and arts integration experiences. Spark will also provide guest artist visits, performances, and professional learning opportunities for teachers, along with continued support for summer Read to Succeed camps. There are no costs to partnering schools or school districts for participating in Spark. With this recent grant, Spark is now supported by Arts Grow SC, which is funded by the SCAC and the South Carolina Department of Education through American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary Schools Emergency Relief (ARP ESSER) funds. “While I am not surprised by the positive impact Spark is having on students, I am overjoyed to see the support and acknowledgement that this program has received from participating school districts, the South Carolina Department of Education and the South Carolina Arts Commission, and we are very grateful for that,” said Cedric Adderley, Governor’s School president. “It is through these kinds of strategic funding partnerships that we have the best chance to reach students in a meaningful way.” According to Baker, “With these funds Spark will evolve and grow exponentially—from serving only summer camp students to serving students year-round, expanding over three years to reach up to 30 schools. We will also have an opportunity to work with younger students to intervene at an earlier age, which is important for long term success. We are incredibly fortunate to have this opportunity through Arts Grow SC.” Learn more about the Spark program and employment opportunities at https://www.scgsah.org/spark.
About South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities Located in Greenville, the South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities cultivates young artists from across the state through pre-professional training in the areas of creative writing, dance, drama, music and visual arts. In the public, residential high school, students refine their talents in an arts-centered community while receiving a nationally recognized academic education. Summer programs are available to rising 7th-12th grade students. The Governor’s School serves as a resource to all teachers and students in South Carolina, offering comprehensive outreach programs designed to bring together artists, educators, community organizations and schools. SCGSAH.org

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Partnership allows S.C. summer camps to engage with the arts

[caption id="attachment_50611" align="aligncenter" width="799"]Children seated at a low table painting landscapes in a classroom. Florence County students paint landscapes thanks to the Ignite program.[/caption]

Students in summer camps across South Carolina are engaging with the arts thanks to a partnership between the South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities and the South Carolina Afterschool Alliance.

These arts experiences, offered through the Governor’s School’s Ignite program, are designed to “fire up a passion for the arts” and encourage students to think like artists. [caption id="attachment_50612" align="alignright" width="300"] Paper weaving in Clarendon County.[/caption] In the Ignite program, students participate in a variety of hands-on music and visual arts activities, ranging from beat-making using simple music production software to paper weaving and bookmaking. Teaching artists guide them as they explore capacities, processes, questions, and themes through multiple art forms. “Through this partnership with the South Carolina Afterschool Alliance, we are able to bring arts experiences to thousands of students attending these essential summer programs that keep students engaged in learning beyond the school year,” said Carol Baker, director of outreach at the Governor’s School. “We are confident Ignite will enrich children’s lives and spark their creativity through this unique arts programming this summer, which is what the South Carolina Afterschool Alliance is all about,” said Zelda Waymer, president and CEO of SCAA. “We’re proud to support it and look forward to witnessing the impact it will have for many South Carolina students.” Through the South Carolina Afterschool Alliance’s vast network, students in Charleston, Chester, Clarendon, Darlington, Dillon, Fairfield, Florence, Georgetown, Greenville, Hampton, Horry, Kershaw, Lancaster, Lee, Lexington, Marion, Richland, and Spartanburg County will have to opportunity to participate in the Ignite program.

About the S.C. Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities

Located in Greenville, the South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities cultivates young artists from across the state through pre-professional training in the areas of creative writing, dance, drama, music and visual arts. In the public, residential high school, students refine their talents in an arts-centered community while receiving a nationally recognized academic education. Summer programs are available to rising 7th-12th grade students. The Governor’s School serves as a resource to all teachers and students in South Carolina, offering comprehensive outreach programs designed to bring together artists, educators, community organizations and schools. SCGSAH.org

About the South Carolina Afterschool Alliance

South Carolina Afterschool Alliance (SCAA) is a partnership among state government agencies, municipal leaders, foundations, higher education, business leaders, the arts community, local school districts, after school program providers and other critical stakeholders joining together to form a supportive statewide network for after-school and summer learning programs. SCAA works with its partners to raise awareness, increase sustainability, and promote the importance of quality afterschool programs. For more information, please visit http://scafterschool.com/. To learn how your program or summer camp can join the S.C. Afterschool Alliance network, visit http://www.scafterschool.com/join-today.

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Teaching artist opportunities open in drama, dance

Spring/summer residencies to inspire tomorrow’s readers through drama

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Sunday, May 15, 2022 The South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts is interviewing experienced theatre teaching artists immediately for spring and summer residencies. Experience with elementary aged students required. Curriculum provided with room for personalization by each artist, focusing on encouraging students to find joy in reading. (Ed. note: this is a slightly different offering than The Hub brought you last month.) Spark! is an SCGSAH regional outreach program that seeks to support Read to Succeed and reading improvement efforts at Palmetto Literacy Project schools statewide through the effective use of elementary level drama strategies. Spring sites are two days per week for four to eight weeks; Summer sites are M-Th assignments for two to five weeks. All residencies are with the same sites and groups of students for the duration. These teaching artist opportunities offer generous professional day rate, full or half days, and travel compensation/lodging per diem for distanced assignments. Opportunities will continue for the life of the three year Arts Grow SC partnership grant. There will be fully paid training days prior to first residency to ensure consistency in the field and strengthen our research meeting to drama and literacy. Strengthen your application by including work samples of elementary workshop outlines or child oriented lesson plans of your own. South Carolina teacher certification is not required. Sites will be located in some of the following counties: Darlington, Dillon, Fairfield, Florence, Greenwood, Laurens, Lee, Lexington, Marion, Richland, Saluda, Williamsburg. Apply immediately through May 15. Interested teaching artists are invited to submit a resume and cover letter to Melanie Trimble, SCGSAH Spark! grant director, at melanietrimble@scgsah.org.

Culturally Responsive Dance Pedagogy learning from UofSC Theatre and Dance

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Sunday, March 27, 2022 CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE DANCE PEDAGOGY: New Understandings of Culture, Context, and Social Responsibility JUNE 20-24, 2022 UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA
  • Learn how to integrate culturally relevant practices in the K-12 dance classroom
  • Network and learn with other K-12 dance educators from across South Carolina and beyond
  • Move and collaborate with others in UofSC’s spacious, state-of-the-art dance studios
  • Develop lesson plans to implement in your classroom
  • Acquire FREE curriculum resources and teaching tools
That's right: this is a free professional development opportunity for K-12 dance educators in South Carolina, and beyond, with housing provided for all participants. Dance practices and learning opportunities include:
  • Dance traditions of the African diaspora
  • Global dance practices
  • Improvisation/composition
  • Ballet
  • Somatic exploration
  • Connecting theory and practice
  • Large- and small-group discussions
  • Reflection and application of knowledge
Facilitated by Stephanie Milling, Jessica Moore, Meredith Sims and Gabrielle Tull. For more information, contact Stephanie Milling: smilling@mailbox.sc.edu. First priority will be given to South Carolina residents with opportunities for out-of-state residents as availability allows. This professional development opportunity is being funded by an ASPIRE Racial Equity and Justice Grant funded through the Offices of the Vice President of Research and the Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the University of South Carolina.

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Community-based actor-teacher job opportunities now open

The Office of Outreach at the SC Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities is hiring several positions to work with Spark, a drama-based literacy program funded by Arts Grow SC.

If you have experience with groups of elementary aged students, an understanding of the performing arts, storytelling, and creative dramatics, there might have a fun full-time position for you! Theatre people, storytellers, librarians and educators who are self-starters, active and organized facilitators, good relationship builders, and playful are a good fit. These curriculum coordinator-level positions will be assigned to regions across South Carolina and will be based from home in local schools. The team of community actor-teachers will design and facilitate drama groups for literacy and reading motivation in elementary classrooms. Positions may be based in the following areas of the state:
  • Cheraw
  • Florence
  • Georgetown
  • Greenwood
  • Kingstree
  • Laurens
  • Marion
  • Newberry
Experience in the elementary classroom or theatre education setting is preferred. Some scheduled, in-state travel will be required for training. COVID protocols for schools and the S.C. Department of Education will be followed. Learn more about this positions at https://www.scgsah.org/spark-jobs.

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Grand Jeté returns with opportunities for S.C. dancers, dance teachers

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Tuesday, February 1, 2022

 

Dance students from across the state will gather together to connect, compete, and cultivate their skills during the third annual Grand Jeté Student Ballet and Contemporary Dance Competition.

The now week-long event offers master classes led by guest artists, audition and recruitment events with national dance programs and teacher workshops for private studio and public school dance teachers. “This is not just a competition,” said Josée Garant, Grand Jeté director. “This is an opportunity for the dance community to come together, learn together and showcase the exceptional talent our state has to offer. Dance is such a competitive field, which is why we feel it is so important to host an event where dancers can get to know each other, support each other and consider their future in dance at the collegiate level.” Dance students, ages 10-19, who choose to compete have the chance to win prizes, totaling $5,250, in the categories of classical ballet, modern/contemporary and student choreography. They will also gain valuable feedback from the competition’s esteemed, out-of-state, adjudicators—Jorden Morris, Akua Noni Parker and Sarah Wroth. Morris is a retired principal dancer, choreographer and the current guest artistic director of the Orlando Ballet. Parker has performed as a leading company member with prestigious dance companies such as Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Cincinnati Ballet and Ballet San Jose. Wroth is an associate professor of music in ballet and the chair of the ballet department at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. Competitors and noncompetitors can attend virtual information sessions and in-person audition classes with university and trainee dance program recruiters from Dean College, New World School of the Arts, Ohio State University, Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Texas Christian University, University of North Carolina Charlotte, University of Oklahoma, University of South Florida, University of Utah and others. They can also participate in in-person master classes in ballet and modern/contemporary. “Grand Jeté is the only event in South Carolina where high school juniors and seniors can share their talents with so many recruiters in one place,” Garant said. “This is an amazing opportunity for students seeking a summer intensive or university dance program with the potential to earn scholarships.” South Carolina dance instructors can also participate in Grand Jeté which offers in-person teacher workshops. Classes in beginner ballet, intermediate/advanced contemporary and intermediate/advanced ballet will be held for private studio teachers. K-12 public school teachers can register for workshops in historical dance, world dance, ballet fundamentals and modern/contemporary free of charge. Grand Jeté will be held March 1-6, 2022 with the competition occurring on March 6. Participants can choose to only attend their preferred events and are not required to attend for the full week. In-person events will be held on the Governor’s School’s campus in downtown Greenville. Interested individuals can register online at scgsah.org/grand-jete until February 1, 2022. Sponsorship opportunities are available. Contact the S.C. Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities Foundation at 864.282.1570 for more details.

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Eleven S.C. students recognized in national YoungArts competition

State places five finalists among 720 winners

[caption id="attachment_48776" align="aligncenter" width="850"] 2019 YoungArts winners in dance. Provided photo.[/caption]

Each year the National YoungArts Foundation holds one of the largest arts competitions for 15-18-year-old students that identifies the most accomplished young artists in the literary, visual and performing arts from around the country.

Winners are chosen for their caliber of artistic achievement by esteemed discipline-specific panels of artists through a rigorous blind adjudication process. This year, 11 students from South Carolina were recognized, including five finalists, who placed among the 720 winners and thousands of applications nationwide. The South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities had nine students who placed, including four finalists:
  • Christian Moody and Néoma Sanchez were named theater finalists;
  • Youjaye Daniels, writing finalist in poetry and honorable mention in creative non-fiction;
  • Kirby Wilson, writing finalist in creative non-fiction;
  • Remaliah Smith, music honorable mention in voice;
  • Grace Warren-Page, writing honorable mention in poetry and merit award in short story;
  • Madyson Grant, writing merit award in short story;
  • Deirdre Hickey, writing merit award in creative non-fiction;
  • and Karolina Montalvo, writing merit award in creative non-fiction.
Thomas Hicks, from Greer High School, was name a visual arts finalist. Sienna España, from the South Carolina Connections Academy, receconnectived a dance honorable mention in the ballet category. YoungArts award winners at all levels receive cash prizes between $100 and $10,000. In addition to monetary awards, all winners receive a medallion, a lifetime of creative and professional support, and access to YoungArts Post—a private, online portal for YoungArts artists to connect, share their work and discover new opportunities. Finalists are invited to participate in National YoungArts Week in January 2022, where they will be offered virtual classes, workshops and mentorship from professional artists. They will also be able to exhibit or perform their work to the public and compete for higher honors. A complete list of the 2022 winners is available online at youngarts.org/winners.
About S.C. Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities Located in Greenville, the South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities cultivates young artists from across the state through pre-professional training in creative writing, dance, drama, music and visual arts. In the public, residential high school, students refine their talents in an arts-centered community while receiving a nationally recognized academic education. Summer programs are available to rising 7th-12th grade students. The Governor’s School also serves as a resource to all teachers and students in South Carolina, offering comprehensive outreach programs designed to bring together artists, educators, community organizations and schools. SCGSAH.org. Follow @SCGSAH on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.  

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Arts learning partnership announces name, website

 

for immediate release

COLUMBIA, S.C. – “Arts Grow SC” is the name of the three-year, $20 million partnership to address pandemic-related learning loss announced in June by the South Carolina Arts Commission (SCAC) and South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE).

Arts Grow SC was established to help public schools throughout the state address pandemic related learning loss with proven, arts-based learning initiatives. Though managed by the SCAC, the program has its own logo and this week officially launched its website: https://artsgrowsc.org/. There, interested educators, parents, and other stakeholders can subscribe to its newsletter. “The South Carolina Arts Commission is extremely proud to take this next step in the life of arts education in South Carolina. ArtsGrowSC is uniting dedicated partners who have a wealth of experience in arts instruction and in integrating the arts across other instructional areas” SCAC Executive Director David Platts said. “Generous funding from the South Carolina Department of Education is allowing more teachers, administrators, districts, artists, and community partners to plug in to this unprecedented work than ever before.” This past spring, leadership from the SCAC proposed to assist SCDE in addressing pandemic-related learning loss with a creative pathway—rooted in innovation and evidence-based practices—that the arts are equipped to provide. Funding was requested to allow the SCAC’s team of professionals and network of partners to:
  • help schools and teachers fill learning loss gaps in the arts,
  • use arts integration to remediate core subject areas,
  • and provide summer and afterschool learning opportunities that leverage the arts in schools throughout the state.
The SCDE approved $20 million for the SCAC to implement its plan, now known as Arts Grow SC, over the course of the next three years. To realize its classroom-based goals, the SCAC will rely on its partners at the Arts in Basic Curriculum (ABC) Project, which currently serves about 44,000 students in 74 schools and has been cooperatively led for more than 30 years by the SCAC, SCDE, and Winthrop University. In addition, the SCAC will expand existing pilot projects with the South Carolina Governor’s School for Arts & Humanities in Greenville and Engaging Creative Minds in Charleston and will offer grant and programming opportunities for arts education providers across the state. Further information is available on ArtsGrowSC.org and by emailing info@artsgrowsc.org.

About the South Carolina Arts Commission

The mission of the South Carolina Arts Commission (SCAC) is to promote equitable access to the arts and support the cultivation of creativity in South Carolina. We envision a South Carolina where the arts are valued and all people benefit from a variety of creative experiences. A state agency created by the South Carolina General Assembly in 1967, the SCAC works to increase public participation in the arts by providing grants, direct programs, staff assistance and partnerships in three key areas: arts education, community arts development, and artist development. Headquartered in Columbia, S.C., the SCAC is funded by the state of South Carolina, by the federal government through the National Endowment for the Arts, and other sources. Visit SouthCarolinaArts.com or call 803.734.8696, and follow @scartscomm on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for #Arts4SC and #SCartists content.

Jason Rapp

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