SOFA

Whilst downtown last week, a SOFA committee member came across a group of students singing for Haiti on Stephens Avenue. This is just one of many arts centered fundraisers that have occurred throughout Calgary in support of those affected by the Haiti earthquake.

Attached are some photo’s of the singers, along with a few inspiringquotes related to the arts found at arts central downtown.

Enjoy!

In 2009, CBS television in the U.S. did a feature report on the benefits of signing in a choir.   According to the broadcast, if you take up singing, you will do better in school and “…you’re taking an increasingly popular path to a successful life.” 

Across the United States, “…more than 1 in 5 households have at least one singing family member, making choral singing the most popular form of participation in the performing arts for both adults and children.” 

Spend a few minutes and watch this powerful broadcast.  It will uplift your spirits and get you even more fired up to support fine arts education (singing in particular) in schools.

The 4 minute video can be viewed by CLICKING HERE

SOFA recently received a letter from the Honourable Kent Hehr, who is an MLA from Calgary Buffalo.  In his letter, he compliments SOFA for the meeting we held on February 1st, 2010 in Calgary. 

SOFA would like to thank Mr. Hehr for taking time out of his busy schedule to attend our meeting, and for sending us the letter!

If you are interested in reading the letter he wrote us, CLICK HERE.

UPDATED POST WITH NEW FAQ’S FROM ALBERTA EDUCATION

AND MINUTES FROM MEETING

On Monday, February 1st, Joan Engel, Christine Bouchard, and Shelley Wells from Alberta Education presented at the SOFA meeting in Calgary to clarify and discuss proposed changes to fine arts education in Alberta.   Approximately one hundred and fifty were in attendance – parents, students, educators, entertainment industry officials, Harry Chase (Liberal MLA for Calgary Varsity) and Kent Hehr (Liberal MLA for Calgary Buffalo).

During the presentation a number of key issues were addressed:

• Alberta Education has received a substantial amount of feedback and they are currently tabulating and considering the comments.
• It was stated that their goal is to create a curriculum that fits within Alberta Education’s “Inspired Education” philosophy
• We were informed that the date for implementation for the new curriculum (Elementary) has been extended by two years to 2014
• They acknowledge that the 1 credit 25 hour instruction option at Senior High Level is not acceptable to a large majority of people
• It was clarified that the process to create Locally Developed Courses (LDC’s) is through each School District and then approved by Alberta Education.

Other issues discussed by those present included the following:

• Great concern was expressed over the Alberta Government’s desire to cut $80 Million plus out of the education budget and how this could impact the progress of fine arts education curriculum revision.  Joan and Christine were not in a position to address this issue as it is beyond the scope of their responsibilities.
• It was brought to their attention that there may not be enough qualified teachers and teaching resources to be able to successfully launch the new curriculum once it has been developed
• Some discussion was held whether or not fine arts education courses should become compulsory.
• There was some confusion as to whether or not the LDC’s which focus on fine arts education (e.g. band ensembles, choir, and drama) will continue to exist in the future. These courses are designated by  last two numbers being “15”.  Ms. Engel indicated it is up to local School Boards to submit proposals for LDC’s to Alberta Education for approval. Furthermore, if another School District wishes to use one of the LDC’s they have to first of all obtain permission from the District that produced the course.

It was made quite clear at the meeting that our next step would be to encourage as many visual arts, dance and drama representatives to become involved with SOFA to strengthen our position.

Further, it was also stressed that we, as concerned citizens of Alberta, should continue to make representation to our elected officials stressing the importance of a good arts education program.

Please take time to view the PowerPoint presentation made by Bill Campbell and Lyle Bennett (SOFA Co-chairs), CLICK HERE.   To review the minutes from the meeting taken by our SOFA Secretary, CLICK HERE

We’ve extended the invitation to Alberta Education to send us a copy of their presentation for posting on our site and respond in writing to the questions submitted during the meeting.  However, they referred us back to their website where they’ve recently updated some of their Frequently Asked Questions.  To view their updated FAQ’s, CLICK HERE

Before our meeting, CBC News Radio (Calgary) aired an interview with Lyle Bennett.  In addition, both Global Television and CityTV (Breakfast Television) attended our meeting and taped a number of interviews. To view Global Television’s broadcast, CLICK HERE, and under the “Global Calgary Top Stories” tab, you will find the video entitled “Fine Arts Cuts”.

Thank you very much for your support in the past and to everyone who was able to attend our meeting.  SOFA also wishes to thank Joan, Christine, and Shelley for presenting at the meeting.

Dr. Ed Wasiak is the Associate Professor of Music Education at the Faculty of Education,  University of Lethbridge.   He is also the President of the Canadian Music Educators’ Association (the national voice for music education).

On January 31st, 2010, he sent the Honourable Dave Hancock, Minister of Education a letter outlining his concerns with Alberta Educations’ proposed fine arts education framework.

He has given SOFA permission to publish his letter on our site.  If you would like to read his letter to Dave Hancock, CLICK HERE

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Further to Dr. Wasiak sending the above mentioned letter to Mr. Hancock, he received the following email note from Susan McLeod (Alberta Education) on February 1st:

Dear Dr. Wasiak,
 
I have received your response to the proposed framework and have saved it in my files for consideration as we complete revisions to the draft document.
 
I anticipate that these revisions will be complete and the newer version of the proposed framework will again be posted online sometime this spring.  It is our hope that a newly revised framework will address the comments and concerns of our stakeholders in a most satisfactory manner.
 
Thank you for your participation in the curriculum design process as a past focus group member and your ongoing interest in the draft K-12 Arts Education Curriculum Framework.
 
 Susan McLeod
Curriculum Manager – Arts Education
Arts, Communication and Citizenship
Alberta Education – 812F – 44 Capital Blvd.
10044 – 108 Street, Edmonton AB Canada T5J 5E6
Tel (780) 422-3217  Fax (780) 422-0576
Toll free (780) 310-0000
susan.mcleod@gov.ab.ca

 

The National Symposium on Arts Education (NSAE) has developed a set of guidelines that provide direction for arts education in Canada.  These are based on the following dimensions: learning in, through, and about the arts; curriculum; culture and diversity; teachers and teacher education; resources; partnerships; research, and leadership.

If you are interested in learning more, please CLICK HERE.

If you are interested in learning more about NSAE, check out their website at:  http://www.cmea.ca/component/content/article/36-history/66-symposiums

Over the past 6 months since the proposed fine arts education framework was first released by the Alberta Government (Alberta Education), a group of music educators from across the province worked together to come up with their own version of a revised music education framework.   This was done in conjunction with the Alberta Band Association. 

Their framework is now complete and was submitted to Alberta Education yesterday (February 1st).  During our SOFA meeting last night,  Joan Engel from Alberta Education acknowledged receiving it and said they would give it careful consideration over the next few months. 

If you are interested in reading the proposed curriculum submitted by the Alberta Band Association, CLICK HERE. 

If there are any drama, visual arts, or dance educators that are interested in working together to establish their own version of a proposed curriculum for the above, please email SOFA at saveourfinearts@gmail.com.