KEY PROVISIONS FOR ARTS LEARNING INCLUDED IN NEW EDUCATION LAW

In January, President Bush signed the biggest overhaul of education law since the 1965 Elementary and Secondary Education Act. The new act, No Child Left Behind, includes key provisions long sought by arts education advocates, and marks a major victory for arts learning. Ohio Congressman Ralph Regula was a key supporter of this law.

The bill defines the arts as a "core academic subject" in elementary and secondary education. As a result, the arts may be eligible to receive federal funds whenever national education programs such as teacher training, school reform and technology are targeted at the core academic subjects.

Challenges still remain. The law gives authority to state education agencies to determine how federal funds are spent. Schools will be required to test students in grades three through eight every year in math and reading, with low-performing schools facing serious penalties. This emphasis on reading and math may create a challenge to arts education opportunities. It will be more important than ever that arts education advocates work with education policymakers at the local and state levels to ensure that the arts are not overlooked.

The National Assembly of State Arts Agencies and other national arts service organizations are working to produce a guide to the new education law, with examples of how artists, schools, parents, teachers, community organizations and policymakers can work together to increase local support for arts education. For more information visit www.nasaa-arts.org.

COLUMBUS YOUTH WORK ON GOVERNOR'S AWARDS CENTERPIECES

Table centerpieces for the 2002 Governor's Awards for the Arts are being created by the Short Stop Production Team. The Short Stop Youth Center, in Columbus, is a community-based prevention program of Directions for Youth, a private nonprofit agency that empowers young people to overcome significant challenges, make sound choices and create positive futures. Short Stop offers young people opportunities to enhance their personal growth through the performing and visual arts. Young artists are working with professional artist Richard "Duarte" Brown to create sculptural Conversation Pieces out of donated and recycled wood. The work may be purchased for $20 at the luncheon. Proceeds will help support the Short Stop Youth Center.

deadlines

April 1

• Literature - Operating Support and Project Support
• Performing Arts on Tour - Presenters

March 6-7

• Operating Support II - Performing Arts

• Community, Traditional Arts and Festivals

April 4-5

• AIE Artist in Residence - Sponsors

April 16-17

• Project Support - Visual Arts

April 19

• AIE - Partnerships

April 24-25

• Project Support - Performing Arts

May 8

• AIE - Arts Basic to Education

NEA DEADLINES

March 25

• Creativity
• Organizational Capacity

YEAR OF THE ARTIST BOOK AVAILABLE

This year the Ohio Arts Council's Riffe Gallery presented a series of four exhibitions celebrating the YEAR OF THE ARTIST, July 2001-July 2002. A full-color Year of the Artist postcard book highlighting the exhibitions and honoring the featured artists is now available. The book contains one image by each artist in the four shows. Year of the Artist exhibitions include: Paper Routes 2000, August 9-October 7, 2001; Coming of Age: Ohio Arts Council Fellowship Recipients, October 25, 2001 ­ January 6, 2002; Shared Inspiration: Work by Artists in Education, January 24 ­ April 7, 2002; Connections: Ohio Artists Abroad, April 25 ­ July 7, 2002. Books may be purchased for $10 at the Riffe Gallery or by calling 614/387-3215.