SOFA’S Mission, Objectives, and Initiatives – UPDATED
by SOFA Fan on Jun.22, 2010, under Mission, Objectives, and Initiatves of SOFA
Mission Statement
Our mission is to participate in the preservation, expansion and promotion of excellence in fine arts credit-courses in our schools.
Objectives
Our objectives are to support and advocate for the implementation of quality fine arts curriculum in our schools, supported by adequate facilities and timetabling, delivered by teachers qualified as specialists in visual arts, dance, drama and music to
- engage all students in K – 6 levels in the active study of all fine arts
- encourage interested and motivated students in grades 7 – 12 to pursue and achieve skills to their full potential in fine arts through in-depth and sequential study with specialists (in multi-credit courses), including directed study in performance groups, workshops and exhibitions.
Initiatives
Our initiatives are:
- to communicate and liaison with the Minister of Education, Alberta Education and school boards
- to foster a dialogue with post secondary institutions and Advanced Education and Technology officials to improve the training of fine arts teachers and to inspire fine arts graduates to pursue a professional career in their particular discipline and/or become fine arts educators
- to advocate for allocation and flow of adequate funding to fine arts programs
- to communicate and collaborate with other interested groups and associations. Further, to facilitate discussion and network with stakeholders and those with a vested interest in quality fine arts education
- to show-case successful fine arts programs to business and government leaders as well the community at large.
- to participate in a review of the Calgary Board of Education instrument loan pool
UNESCO Believes Fine Arts Education is Crucial …
by SOFA Fan on Jun.09, 2010, under Updates
UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization) is a world wide organization set up in 1945 with a mission to build peace, eradicate poverty, and “promote the sustainable development of intercultural dialogue through education, the sciences, culture, communication and information.”
According to an article on their website, ” …Arts Education, which … refers to the teaching of arts practices (visual arts, performing, dance, music, theatre, creative writing and poetry), is of crucial importance to the development of the child and requires awareness, creative thinking, and qualified teachers to challenge all students, not only those with ability and talent. Research studies have convincingly shown that arts education comprises more than the mere study of the arts and producing works of art, but that it has also been beneficial to students in stimulating their intellectual and personal interests, as well as their social development.”
The article further states, “…such education, when it makes use of a child’s creative potential, strengthens the acquisition of knowledge and life skills: creativity, imagination, oral expression, manual ability, concentration, memory, personal interest in others, etc.”
To read the full article, CLICK HERE.
SOFA challenges the Premier of Alberta, Minister of Education, MLA’s, officials at Alberta Learning, and officials at School Boards around the Province to read UNESCO’s website regarding the importance of fine arts education. If you are committed to ensuring that current and future students receive the necessary education to survive and thrive in our global community, make sure fine arts education funding is put back in place so that fine arts teachers can actually teach fine arts.
Please make sure we don’t become a ‘third world country’ in terms of fine arts education.
For the sake of our children…
Calgary Science School Announces Mandatory Band Program
by SOFA Fan on Jun.09, 2010, under Updates
The Calgary Science School is a well known, publicly funded charter school that has received extensive recognition for offering a unique, high quality learning environment designed to inspire students to understand more fully the world in which they live. It provides students in Grades 4 to 9 with an enriched curriculum, infused with mathematics and science.
As of September, 2010, a decision has been made by the school to install a mandatory band program for students in grade 6. According to the School Principal, “… student engagement in band programs has been shown to contribute to academic success and enhance learning skills. Participating in a band program allows students to develop greater musical appreciation, maturity and responsibility.”
If you are interested in reading the letter sent by the school to parents, CLICK HERE.
SOFA congratulates the Calgary Science School for making this decision.
Welcome to the fine arts community!
Gwyne Dyer and Stephen Murgatroyd Weigh in on the Importance of Fine Arts Education in Alberta
by SOFA Fan on Jun.02, 2010, under Dr. Stephen Murgatroyd, Media Coverage
GWYNNE DYER is a well known Canadian freelance journalist, columnist, and lecturer in Canada and around the world. He regularly can be seen as a guest on the CBC National News.
STEPHEN MURGATROYD is an internationally recognized author, journalist, lecturer, and keynote speaker. See previous posts on this website.
On May 31st in Calgary and June 1st in Edmonton, both gentlemen gave a presentation at a “Learning Our Way to the Next Alberta” event. These were both open to the public.
During the lectures, Dr. Dyer talked about the importance of fine arts education in Alberta and he stated, “… don’t regard spending on culture as a an indulgence – it is a critical investment in the future of Alberta and will produce profound and poignant social and economic returns.”
Dr. Murgatroyd made similar comments in support of fine arts education. He stated, “…spending on arts education and creativity is as critical as spending on maths and science if Alberta wants to become an innovation economy where every talent is found, developed and available to help Alberta become the place the world needs to see. Cutting arts funding and arts education is a decision to limit the future of Alberta and will permanently damage our ability to compete and be successful as a Province – it makes no sense.”
For more information on the above, check out the following link: http://www.learningourway.ca/
Note – we received permission from both Dr. Dyer and Dr. Murgatroyd to publish their comments on our website.
Minister of Education Announces new “Inspiring Education” Framework in Alberta
by SOFA Fan on Jun.02, 2010, under Future of Education, Media Coverage
One day after massive teacher and support staff layoffs were announced at the Calgary Board of Education, Dave Hancock (Minister of Education) announces a new “Inspiring Education” strategy for students in kindergarten to grade 12. It was announced via a live broadcast at 2:00 PM this afternoon by Mr. Hancock on the Alberta Government’s “Inspiring Education” website.
If you are interested in viewing the press release, CLICK HERE. To view the 56 page “Inspiring Education” report, CLICK HERE.
According to the strategy, it’s time to make a dramatic change in how students are educated. It states, “…we need to prepare our kids for the future, not the past.”
The strategy is very similar to the ‘guiding principles’ Dr. Stephen Murgatroyd has been promoting over the past few months. If you are interested in reading these, please check out our earlier posts.
Although the general philosophy of Minister Hancock’s “Inspiring Education” strategy has plenty of merit, “the devil is always in the details.” Several questions need to be answered:
- What will the curriculum look like once it is implemented several years from now?
- Will the Alberta Government have the courage to provide the financial resources to ensure it can be implemented effectively?
- Will there be enough qualified educators, especially after the massive layoffs announced recently?
- What is the position of the Calgary Board of Education, the Edmonton Public School Board, and the other Boards around Alberta?
- How can we be assured that fine arts education will play a prominent role in the new curriculum?
Please tell the Alberta Government what you think by signing Dr. Murgatroyd’s petition. You can view it at the following link: http://www.gopetition.com/online/35101.html. It’s time to get involved…
According to the Alberta Government’s press release, an education discussion paper will be released by Minister Hancock on June 15th.
Stay tuned!
Calgary Board of Education Layoffs Greater than Previously Announced
by SOFA Fan on Jun.01, 2010, under Media Coverage
The Calgary Board of Education (CBE) announced today the reductions in teaching and administrative staff will be greater than previously announced (see our earlier post).
As of 6:15 PM this evening, the Calgary Herald’s online edition of the newspaper is reporting there will be 192 full-time teachers and 85 support staff affected. This will still leave the CBE in a large deficit position financially.
To read the online article, CLICK HERE. You will also be able to read it in tomorrow’s print edition.
SOFA questions why so many teacher layoffs are necessary. It is our understanding they have one of the largest administrations per student compared to any other Board in Canada. Couldn’t they look at saving money by reducing their some of their administration first?
How concerned are you about education cutbacks? Concerned enough to sign a petition? Join the hundreds of other Albertans who already have. Check it out at the following link: http://www.gopetition.com/online/35101.html
Two Great Videos on the Importance of Education…
by SOFA Fan on May.27, 2010, under Sir Ken Robinson
Interested in watching two great video presentations on the importance of education? If so, please keep reading…
Sir Ken Robinson is an internationally recognized leader in the development of innovation and human resources. He has worked with national governments in Europe and Asia; with international agencies; Fortune 500 companies; national and state education systems; non-profit corporations and some of the world’s leading cultural organizations.
Over the past few years, Ken has spoken at conventions around the world on the future of education. Two such presentations were done at TED Conventions in California (one in 2006, the other in 2010). Here are the links:
TED TALKS: Do Schools Kill Creativity? (19 minutes): http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/ken_robinson_says_schools_kill_creativity.html
TED TALKS: Bring on the Learning Revolution (16 minutes): http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/sir_ken_robinson_bring_on_the_revolution.html
If you are not familiar with TED (“Technology, Entertainment, and Design”), it is global organization with a focus to promote ‘ideas worth spreading’. Some of the most influential people in the world have spoken at TED conferences, including Bill Gates (Chairman of Microsoft), Steve Jobs (CEO of Apple), Bill Clinton (former U.S. President), Tony Robbins (Motivational Speaker), and Al Gore (former U.S. Vice President).
If you are interested in downloading a copy of the above for your I-Phone or I-Touch, all TED TALKS presentations are downloadable free of charge from the I-Tunes website. You can do a search for the TED app.
Enjoy the presentations and please tell us what you think of them by clicking on the “Leave a Comment” icon below.
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