Program Overview
“By combining
academics with the arts, we are opening new worlds for our students.”
– Aixa DeJesus, Classroom Teacher
See Selected Program Descriptions
Project UNIQUE develops, implements, and evaluates in-depth, public-school programs
designed around various arts concepts, curricular themes and learning skills
with the visual, performing, and literary arts. Teams of artists from
different disciplines work collaboratively with cultural institutions,
educators, and parents to develop programs that address specific needs and
interests of the student population, which ranges from pre-kindergarten to
senior high school. These programs generally include: short to
long-term residencies; field trips to cultural institutions;
performances by local and out-of-town artists; and professional development
workshops. Examples of programs over the years have:
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introduced students to the concepts, processes, and techniques of dance, music, theatre, literary arts and visual arts.
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improved student performance in skills related to the arts and English Language Arts (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) through sound/music, visual arts, and museum experiences.
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promoted intercultural understanding and appreciation of students from different backgrounds through dance, music, theatre, visual arts, and museum experiences.
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brought students together from different school districts to explore personal and cultural identities through the arts.
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explored our relationship to our physical, emotional, and cultural environments through diverse forms of literary expression.
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integrated orchestral music with the instructional program for elementary students.
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investigated social studies and science concepts through dance and media teams of artists.
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linked schools with community service agencies through the arts.
Project UNIQUE is always evolving and investigating
innovative approaches to teaching and learning which leads to the ongoing
development of new programs.
Benefits:
Students build an understanding and appreciation of the arts as they learn
about a variety of performing, literary, and visual art forms; develop
perceptual and problem-solving skills while their creativity and imagination are
challenged; acquire learning skills related to their instructional programs, gain insight to vocational and avocational opportunities in the
arts; grow in self-confidence as they explore methods of self-expression and
communication.
Educators gain information about community resources and innovative
instructional approaches which infuse the arts into the general educational
program; observe their students in different modes of learning; join with their
colleagues in investigating innovative strategies related to teaching and
learning.
Parents take an active role in planning and experiencing arts activities with
their children.
Artists share their talent and creativity with young
people of all ages and abilities, an interaction that often inspires new works of
art; join with educators in identifying new ways to integrate experiences in
their arts disciplines with standard-based student outcomes.
Self-portrait xylophone made by Kindergarten students with sound artist, Ward Hartenstein.
