2006–2007
NORTHWOODARTS
Bit by Bit Putting It Together A recent report from the Surdna Foundation, Powerful Voices, noted common elements in the most successful arts programs… • Students are art makers, not only audience members. Students are responsible for presenting, installing, and/or performing the arts. • Students have a sustained participation throughout multiple years or long-term projects. • Students have training with professional artists and often apprenticeships with adults. •S tudents are held to rigorous artistic standards and expectations. •S tudents are provided with safe spaces for their physical and creative security. (Dana Founda-
tion’s Arts Education in the News January 2007). Northwood High School offers a wealth of such arts education opportunities for students. Coursework, extracurricular activities, competitions, concerts, and clubs provide a wide variety of learning and performing experiences for a diverse student body. Lori Major Carlin chairs the NHS Arts Education Department and heads the Drama program. Eugene Cottrell heads Instrumental Music and Leslie Burwell is Northwood’s Visual Arts teacher. Newest department members are Dance teacher Leah Smith and Vocal Arts instructor Amy Loch.
We know that arts education “makes a tremendous impact on the developmental growth of every child and has proven to help level the ‘learning field’ across socioeconomic boundaries” (Catterall, 1998). In addition to disciplinespecific knowledge and mastery, arts education strengthens problem-solving skills, helps students develop a sense of craftsmanship, quality task performance, and goal-setting skills (Business Circle for Arts Education in Oklahoma, 1999). This report offers a short retrospective of arts education and celebrates accomplishments of the NHS students and faculty during the 2006–2007 school year.