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In 1991, the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts and the Anchorage School District were chosen to participate in the first Partners in Education institute at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Since then, Anchorage-area teachers from all grade levels have been attending performances, lectures and participatory workshops as part of the Partners In Education Program. Artists secured through resident company bookings, from the Kennedy Center Presenter's Network and local teaching artists create a series of 8 to 10 workshops for which teachers receive graded graduate credit through Alaska Pacific University.
Participatory workshops provide teachers with hands-on experience in two ways: by exploring the concepts and processes of a particular art form; and/or examining the interrelationship between an art form and other curriculum areas. Workshops that explore an art form provide teachers with classroom tools to encourage students in creative expression through activities such as movement and role-playing. Teachers learn to assess their works and that of their fellow teachers. Workshops that examine the relationship between an art form and other curriculum areas bridge the connection between the art form and specific curriculum areas such as history, math and language arts.
Performance Lectures are 30-minute introductions given to teachers prior to some performances. Lectures are presented by an expert on the art form and often times the composers and choreographers make guest appearances and make brief statements about the motivational aspects leading to the creation. The art form is described and history is provided. Plans for schedules include collaborative initiatives with the Alaska State Council on the Arts, the Kennedy Center, resident companies of the Center and local teaching artists.
Registration will take place in September through ASD's My Learning Plan. Last year's participating teacher Maria Gantz states:
The PIE class was yet another inspiring experience. It gave me new ideas about how to nurture creativity in students and provided practical tools to help students with their artistic expression. I discovered simple and fun activities that develop healthy habits for mind and body and stimulate students' smartness and success. I am going to share this wealth with other teachers in many schools.
 2010-2011 PIE Schedule
For information on the 2010-2011 season, contact email Julie Millington or call 263-2930.
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