May 2006 Newsletter

SMARTS: BRING BACK THE ARTS

CALIFORNIA STATE PTA ONLINE NEWSLETTER

May 2006

SMARTS is California State PTA’s program to encourage arts education. The California State PTA wants to create advocates for quality arts education at every school in California. We hope you will spread the word about the benefits of arts education. Please e-mail this newsletter to PTA district, council and unit members.

In this issue:

1) Advocacy for the Arts

Support Arts funding in the California State Budget

2) Interactive Websites for Parents, Teachers, and Students

May is Asian and Pacific American Appreciation Month
The Mind of Leonardo – the Universal Genius at Work
The Dallas symphony Orchestra for Kids
Corridos Sin Fronteras

3) Announcements

“Destination Anywhere” – A National Exhibit for Young Artists with Disabilities
Mocking Bird Foundation Grants
Surdna Arts Teacher Fellowship Program
Advocacy Resources

1) Advocacy for the Arts

Support Arts Funding in the California State Budget Please take a moment to let your legislator know you support ongoing funding for arts education in the California State budget. The Governor’s budget proposes $166 million for an Arts and Music Block Grant.

The PTA message:

Arts education is a priority issue for the California State PTA.
Extensive research confirms the arts improve academic and personal success.
This is an issue of equity for the PTA. We believe all children deserve a quality arts education.

To find your legislator, go to:
www.leginfo.ca.gov/yourleg.html

For the latest budget information on the arts grant, go to
www.artsed411.org/involved/actionforartsedfunding.stm

2) Interactive Websites for Parents, Teachers, and Students

May is Asian and Pacific American Appreciation Month
Celebrate the arts of Asia by visiting the online exhibits at the Smithsonian.
www.asia.si.edu/exhibitions/online.htm

The Mind of Leonardo - the Universal Genius at Work
An exploration of the work and processes of the “Universal Genius” through text, images, reconstructions and animations.
brunelleschi.imss.fi.it/menteleonardo/index.html

The Dallas Symphony Orchestra for Kids
A site for elementary students and teachers to explore music.
www.dsokids.com/2001/rooms/musicroom.asp

Corridos Sin Fronteras
A bilingual traveling exhibition and educational website celebrating the narrative songs known as corridos.
www.corridos.org/

3) Announcements

“Destination Anywhere” - A National Exhibit for Young Artists with Disabilities
VSA arts and Volkswagen of America are seeking artwork from young artists with disabilities, ages 16-25, living within the U.S.
www.vsarts.org/VWcall

Mocking Bird Foundation Grants
Find out how to apply for music grants.
www.mockingbirdfoundation.org/funding

Surdna Arts Teacher Fellowship Program
Surdna’s goal is to help arts teachers in public arts high schools increase their effectiveness.
www.surdna.org/artsteachersfellowship

Advocacy Resources
Visit the PTA SMARTS: Bring Back the Arts Advocacy Resource page
www.capta.org/sections/programs-smarts/resources.cfm#advocacy

To Subscribe:
If you wish to be added to the subscriber list to this newsletter, send an e-mail to SMARTSenews@capta.org. Enter the word "Subscribe" into the subject area or the body of the email and you will automatically be added.

To Unsubscribe:
If you would like to terminate your subscription to the SMARTS newsletter, send an e-mail to SMARTSenews@capta.org and in the subject area type "Remove" or "Unsubscribe" and your name will be removed.

For help or to send comments, suggestions, and inquiries send an e-mail to info@capta.org.

The California State PTA SMARTS newsletter is sent free of charge via the Internet as a service of the California State PTA in the furtherance of its nonprofit and tax-exempt status. Unless otherwise noted, PTAs may reproduce and distribute the materials from the California State PTA website for PTA use without express written permission. California State PTA materials may not be duplicated by any other organization or person without written permission.

California State PTA

Does not exert editorial control over materials that are posted by third parties onto its website, or materials that are e-mailed by third parties to any other persons.
Specifically disclaims any and all liability for any claims or damages that result from postings by third parties.
Does not exert editorial or any other control over content provided by links from the California State PTA website.