RALEIGH — Next March when teachers, artists, and school administrators gather in Raleigh for a statewide arts in education conference, the focus will be on the right brain—creativity and big picture thinking—and its place in preparing North Carolina public school children for a future in the global economy. Early registration is now available for the conference with discounts for teams from the same organization registering.
“Research shows us that participating in the arts improves critical thinking skills and results in higher SAT scores,” says Linda Bamford, arts in education director for the N.C. Arts Council. “We also know that we need to focus on skills of the right brain so that our children can compete, perform, and live better in the 21st century.”
“Imagination, Creativity, and Innovation: Educating Children for Their Future” is the theme of the conference, scheduled March 5-7, 2009 at Meredith College in Raleigh, N.C. “Keynote national and state speakers from business, the arts, government and education will provide insight on creating learning environments that infuse education with creativity, innovation and imagination. Speakers include new UNC-Chapel Hill Chancellor Holden Thorp, 2007 National Teacher of the Year Andrea Peterson, and Jack Lew, the Global University Relations Manager for Electronic Arts.
The 2009 North Carolina: The State of the Arts Conference is sponsored by the North Carolina Arts Council, Meredith College, and United Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County in collaboration with Arts North Carolina, A+ Schools Program/UNC-G, N.C. Department of Public Instruction, North Carolina Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, and Wake County Public School System
A three-day conference in March 2007 provided an overview of current, successful North Carolina and national practices, programs, and partnerships, and culminated with tips on advocacy and a “call to action.” The 2009 conference will continue to address those topics in the context of how the arts help prepare children for their future. A video of highlights from the 2007 conference is available here.
Conference registration and additional information can be found at www.unitedarts.org. (Look for the link at the top of the United Arts of Raleigh and Wake County Web site.
The North Carolina Arts Council works to make North Carolina a better state through the arts by building vibrant communities, creating opportunities for citizens to be more creative and productive, and ensuring that the state’s culture remains strong and vital. The Arts Council accomplishes this in partnership with artists and arts organizations, other organizations that use the arts to make their communities stronger, and North Carolinians–young and old–who enjoy and participate in the arts. For more information, visit www.ncarts.org.
The Arts Council is a division of the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources, www.ncculture.com, and celebrates those who create and enjoy art in all 100 counties.