Describes a public library program designed to stimulate appreciation of adult fiction written in and about the contemporary western United States. Discussion covers project objectives, oral interpretation of literature, project phases, study guides and bibliographies, staff orientation, lectures, evaluators, personnel, publicity, problems, and…

Alcohol plays a role for women in seeming to facilitate friendships and self-medicating when relationships are poor. Theories about women's psychological development can be applied to designing prevention programs. The article describes an interactive college program that seeks to engage the audience emotionally and stresses peer participation…

Investigates how different practice techniques (physical, mental, and alternating physical/mental) and aural knowledge of results improve the piano performance of 40 graduate and undergraduate music students. Reveals all three practice modes, especially physical practice, improved performance, whereas aural knowledge of results had little effect.…

Describes the efforts of the Consortium of National Arts Education Associations to develop voluntary national standards for education in art, dance, music, and theater. Highlights key issues such as cultural diversity, classroom technology, and interdisciplinary processes. Explains the consensus-building process and plans for classroom…

Outlines the steps involved in constructing an art gallery in an arts magnet school for middle school students. The work in the classrooms echoes the themes selected for exhibitions. Describes how teachers, parents, and students are actively involved in the creation and maintenance of the gallery. (KM)

Argues that canonical plays must be critically engaged rather than "handed down," with students discovering much about themselves and each other through their own engagement. Describes how a high-school acting class examined the dramatic work of Latino/a playwrights for their in-class scene work, and used student experiences to create their own…

Reflects on the state of the arts in general and theatre arts in particular. Examines the role of controversy in the arts; discusses "elitism," issues of diversity and being committed to community. Argues that deep, substantive discussions are needed on the value to society of the arts and the values that the arts uphold and exemplify. (SR)

Teachers at a rural Appalachian elementary school made the curriculum more responsive to students by incorporating storytelling, theater, and music. Students interviewed community members, told their stories in school and community, created and performed plays based on them, and provided workshops for classmates. Teacher perspectives, supporting…

Explores various tools that presenters utilize to set the stage for their presentations and enhance audience retention, focusing on similarities to successful theatrical presentations. The four tools include setting the stage prior to the program, using the set effectively, selecting and placing props carefully, and considering oneself the…

Discusses the life and artwork of Bill Traylor, who started his art career late in life, focusing on his work "Scary Creature." Provides accompanying project ideas in the areas of history/technology, theater, language arts, debate, social studies, visual arts, and mathematics. (CMK)

The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a readers' theater fluency program. The participants were 12 students with learning disabilities in a combined second/third grade exceptional education classroom. Through the use of pre and post reading attitude surveys, field notes recorded by the observer, and pre and post oral fluency…

This article describes a developing joint venture for Arts education in Adelaide, South Australia, from 2001 to 2003. The authors (two tertiary educators at the University of South Australia and a South Australian government education department Arts educator, seconded to a performing arts company) explain who the key stakeholders are and outline…

This document profiles 11 examples of arts and education institutions across the country that are working to solve community problems. Programs, which reflect a number of purposes, are organized by category. Large Urban Profiles, include: (1) "Bridgemaking" in Chicago: Chicago Arts Partnership in Education; (2) Learning by Working: Young Artists…

This paper presents ways art educators can participate in a more holistic approach to education. The document outlines the following premises: (1) students will be consumers of art and determine what art they choose to consume, which requires a systematic and thorough grounding in critical evaluation if they are to make good decisions; (2)…

This document presents an analysis of the 1992 nationwide Survey of Public Participation in the Arts (SPPA), conducted by the U.S. Bureau of the Census for the National Endowment for the Arts. Data were collected in household surveys. Respondents were part of a larger continuously rotating panel of adults who were interviewed monthly either by…