Core Session Descriptions

VSA arts Institute participant working on a sculpture

These four Core Sessions provide a conceptual foundation for the VSA arts Institute. Core Sessions are driven by the fundamental elements of VSA arts programming for children, youth, and adults with disabilities. The sessions run 1.5 hours in length and are attended by all VSA arts Institute participants.

Core Sessions for Jacksonville, VSA arts Institute

Each of the four Core Sessions below will be addressed and informed by the concept of museums and schools engaged in synergistic and reciprocal-programming that draws upon a pedagogy that is progressive and unifying to both the environs of the museum galleries as well as the classroom. Presentations will draw upon the work of a host of modern day museum educators and researchers who lead the way in reshaping our understanding of experiential learning, theory, and practice.

Responsive Teaching and Learning
How do we effectively use the arts to challenge each student fully while still keeping the whole group moving ahead? Explore educational approaches that promote inclusive engagement through arts-infused instruction.

Winning Partnerships: Schools and Communities
What are the common attributes critical to lasting partnerships between educators and community organizations? What do we need to know to develop inclusive arts activities that extend the work of visiting artists, educators, and art programs?

Keeping What Works and Learning from the Rest
What approaches in assessment and evaluation enable us to reliably illuminate the learning that happens in classrooms? How can this information improve the effectiveness of inclusive arts education programs?

Creating Access, Participation, and Progress
How do we create a safe, yet dynamic environment that includes every student and promotes progress on individual goals? What makes art transcend and revere diversity beyond the school walls?

Contact

For questions contact Kaori Hirakawa at vsainstitute@vsarts.org or (800) 933-8721.