Initiative for Community Engagement

On April 6, 2013 Alaskans will convene in Anchorage to recognize the efforts of youth serving their local communities. This year’s winners are:

Tuesona Tungwenuk, Nome                                         Mount Edgecumbe Radio Club, Sitka
Nanwalek Summer Youth Group, Nanwalek                   Julia Gebert, Anchorage
Brenda Castonguay, Kodiak                                          Alicia Noel Crisci , Wales
Gusty Michael School Student Body, Stony River            Anelise Zimmer , Kodiak
Selah Rees, Anchorage                                                  Rachell Gulanes, Unalaska
Kelly May, North Pole                                                    Sydney Zuyus , Palmer
Riccardo Kerns and Nino Delgado, Anchorage               Shaylee Rizzo, Kenai
Healy Tech Team, Healy                                                Chance Haller, Seldovia
Regan Fitzgerald, Anchorage                                         Teens Acting Against Violence, Bethel
Luke Jager, Anchorage                                                   Tiffany Immingan, Savoonga

Purchase your banquet tickets for the 2013 Spirit of Youth Awards. Reception begins at 6 p.m. Awards dinner begins at 7 p.m.

The Alaska Arts Education Consortium (AAEC) is pleased to host a symposium on integrating the arts in Alaskan schools and districts. Keynote Speaker Denise Grande, Director of Arts Education from the Los Angeles County Arts Commission will share her experience with Arts for All, a collaborative initiative working to restore quality, sequential arts education in all 81 school districts located within the Los Angeles County. Ms Grande brings over 20 years of experience in implementing system-wide change in public schools.  

The symposium will be held March 22, 2013 in Juneau.
Find out more here.

Every 26 seconds a young person drops out of school in the U.S.

“The Other Side” song & video was written and produced by students at the High School for Recording Arts (www.hsra.org) to support the BMOR Project Pledge Drive Challenge sponsored by State Farm. If you would like to be a part of the campaign you can join at www.26seconds.com to find out how you can Pledge to BMOR.

Best Beginnings is accepting proposals for grants to launch new local Imagination Libraries and expand existing ones. Additional information, including an application checklist and contact form, is available at www.BestBeginningsAlaska.org.

All applications must be received by 5 p.m., Friday, April 5, 2013.

Earlier this month, music teacher Thane Thomas was recognized as Cordova’s 2013 Citizen of the Year for his efforts over the past 11 years to build a music education program that inspires kids with and about music, helping them to build confidence and skills that will be life lasting. (Continue reading here…)

The University of Alaska Fairbanks Rural Alaska Honors Institute is accepting applications for the 2013 summer program. The six-week summer residential program is open to rural and Alaska Native high school juniors and seniors. Students live in dorms and earn 8 to 10 college credits.

The program is free to selected students. Applications are due March 1. For application materials and more information, visit www.uaf.edu/rahi or call 907-474-6603.

The NEA will present a webinar discussing the basics of the Arts Education funding category, how to apply to the NEA, and advice on preparing a strong application. The Arts Education staff will be available to take your questions following the presentation.

The webinar will take place on Tuesday, February 12th from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. EST.

Click here to join.  To see a list of the most recent NEA grants in Arts Education, visit the Recent Grants section of arts.gov.