Lincoln County School District is celebrating the success of its innovative partnership with the Lincoln City Cultural Center. This collaboration underscores a shared commitment to integrating arts into the educational curriculum to enhance the learning experience for students at Taft and Oceanlake Elementary schools. Initiated several years ago with a focus on third and fourth-grade students at Taft Elementary, this partnership has developed an educational program that aligns art projects with academic content. "Working closely with the
teachers, we crafted a curriculum that not only meets Oregon Art Standards but also incorporates essential themes and vocabulary from the students' regular coursework," said Krista Eddy, LCCC Visual Arts Director.
Students not only receive very professional art lessons with hands-on experience, but they also see the integration of the science and social studies curriculum they are learning. In one example of this integrated curriculum, Taft third grade students who were studying salmon learned about mosaic art and created their own paper mosaic salmon. “These lessons facilitate the opportunity for many “Ah Ha” moments as students recognize and remember things that they have learned in class and then build upon that knowledge in creative ways,” Eddy said.
Eddy emphasizes the broader benefits of this integration. "Incorporating art helps develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, broadens perspectives, and builds creative confidence, which are invaluable across all areas of life"she said. This approach is particularly beneficial for visual learners and encourages all students to engage with their learning environment creatively.
With funding currently secured for the 2024-25 school year by a James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation Grant and contributions from the Lincoln County School District, the Art Explorations Outreach Program is set to continue its impact for at least one more year. A $10,000 grant received in 2023 from the Braemar Charitable Trust covered supplies and other costs for the previous school year.
Looking ahead, the LCCC is committed to ensuring the program's longevity. "Our goal is to maintain and expand this program to continue benefiting our community's youth and to foster a lasting appreciation for the arts" stated Eddy. The center is actively seeking additional grants, funders, and creative solutions to sustain the program beyond the current funding period. By establishing a sustainable framework, they aim to cultivate a community that values and enjoys creativity for generations to come.
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