Cathedral Arts Project flourishes in JAX public schools

The Cathedral Arts Project (CAP), as part of the Any Given Child Jacksonville program (AGC Jacksonville), has announced the launch of the Landscape of Education in the Arts in Duval (LEAD) artlook® map. This launch is part of a collective national effort to affect systemic change for arts education through partnerships with the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and Ingenuity, the Chicago-based arts advocacy organization that created the artlook® platform.

The LEAD artlook® map provides a real-time snapshot of arts resources and services on a school-by-school basis in Duval County, using data from schools, funding resources and cultural service providers, such as local museums and arts organizations. This cutting-edge tool allows community stakeholders to identify funding and partnership opportunities that will lead to greater support and resources for arts education in Duval County schools.

Funded by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), the U.S. Department of Education and the PNC Foundation, AGC Jacksonville is working to assess the state of the arts and advocate for increased equity and access to high quality arts education for all students enrolled in Duval County Public Schools (DCPS) — goals that took on even more significance as a result of the pandemic.

AGC Jacksonville initiated a collaboration between Ingenuity, the Kennedy Center and the NEA to launch the artlook® Project, a three-year initiative to gather comprehensive data to improve equitable access to arts education. Jacksonville is one of eight cities nationally, and the only city in Florida, to participate in the artlook® Project. Other communities selected for the initiative include Baltimore, MD; Chicago, IL; Houston, TX; New Orleans, LA; Portland, OR; Sacramento, CA; and Southwestern PA.

LEAD began in 2019 with surveys to all Duval County Public Schools to collect information about arts programming and resources. A separate survey was created for local arts and culture organizations to gather information about their arts education offerings. The map will be updated annually; data from the 2020-2021 school year will be active on the map by fall 2021.

LEAD is the first artlook® map to launch outside of Ingenuity’s original Chicago map and provides a template for other school districts seeking to use data to strengthen teaching, learning, whole-child education and strategies to address equity gaps. Locally, Assessment Technologies Group and the University of North Florida are providing data analysis support to translate the map into an advocacy plan.

In recent years, DCPS has expanded its arts education opportunities for students. Recent advancements include the creation of a new arts magnet middle school, Fort Caroline Middle School of the Visual and Performing Arts; new digital arts, digital photography and cinematic film programs in multiple secondary schools; expanded performing arts programs, including show choir, theatre, band and choral programs; the addition of more than 80 fine arts teaching positions since 2013; and active representation for arts education in all pandemic planning efforts to keep programs and positions intact and available as safely as possible.

The LEAD artlook® map can be viewed at jacksonville.artlookmap.com.

 

‘Cummer Museum’ helps special needs students through virtual program

“The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens” and “Connecting Thru Music” (CTM) have partnered to provide a unique learning opportunity for children with special needs enrolled in Duval County Public Schools’ Extended School Year (ESY) program: a three-week virtual series, “Live from the Cummer: Connecting Art and Music.” Music therapists from CTM’s partner, First Coast Music Therapy, along with Cummer Museum educators, will host two 30-minute classes, twice weekly.  During each class, these students and their families have the opportunity to explore the Museum’s artwork and galleries through lively and fun music interventions.

The virtual explorations, which launched on July 7, are presented live through Microsoft Teams at 11 a.m. and again at 11:30 a.m. for two different groups of ESY students, based on their ages and abilities. Each session includes a brief curated art tour (approximately five minutes) led by a Museum educator and information about the themes presented in the museum gallery. The music therapists engage the ESY students for approximately 20 minutes with songs connected to the theme and artwork. Additionally, these students receive art-making ideas that their families can work on together at home.

“We are focused on the need for a flexible and creative approach so that the children will have this unique opportunity to learn during these challenging times,” said Karen Demuth, Executive Director of CTM. “The added benefit of their parents being present because it is virtual adds a positive experience and promotes learning, bonding and fun.”

For many families, the summer break is a critical time to maintain the gains students have realized during the school year. “During these uncertain and stressful times, it’s more important than ever for the Cummer Museum to support the diverse needs of our local community,” said Kim Kuta Dring, Director of Education for the Cummer Museum. “This partnership provides students with differing abilities and their families with access to high quality artworks and experiences that promote self-expression, wellness and family stability – all important aspects of a child’s healthy growth and development.”

About the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens: For almost 60 years, the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens has been committed to engaging and inspiring through the arts, gardens, and education. A permanent collection of more than 5,000 objects and historic gardens on a riverfront campus offers nearly 150,000 annual visitors a truly unique experience on the First Coast. Nationally recognized education programs serve adults and children of all abilities. For further information, including hours, visit The Cummer Museum.

About Connecting Thru Music: Connecting Thru Music is a 501c3 that partners with First Coast Music Therapy to provide music therapy with board certified music therapists and related music services which enhance the cognitive, social, emotional, physical, development growth of the children with special needs throughout Duval County and the Northeast Region of Florida. For more information, visit connectingthrumusic.com.

Cummer gives free membership to elementary students

The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens today announced that it has partnered with Duval County Public Schools to provide free Family-level memberships to 5,800 fifth-grade students enrolled in the district’s Title 1 elementary schools, following the successful completion of the Family 2 Family Membership Match — the Museum’s signature access initiative for 2019.

From April through September, the Museum adopted a buy-one-give-one model for all new or renewing Family memberships. Funds to support the initiative were secured through a combination of memberships, private donations and generous support from Florida Blue.

Vouchers for the free memberships will be distributed by principals and teachers at the following district schools by Friday, Dec. 6: Abess Park Elementary; Andrew A. Robinson Elementary; Annie R. Morgan Elementary; Arlington Elementary; Arlington Heights Elementary; Bayview Elementary; Beauclerc Elementary; Biltmore Elementary; Biscayne Elementary; Brentwood Elementary; Brookview Elementary; Carter G. Woodson Elementary; Cedar Hills Elementary; Central Riverside Elementary; Chimney Lakes Elementary; Crown Point Elementary; Crystal Springs Elementary; Dinsmore Elementary; Don Brewer Elementary; Englewood Elementary; Enterprise Learning Academy; Fort Caroline Elementary; Garden City Elementary; George W. Carver Elementary; Greenfield Elementary; Gregory Drive Elementary; Henry F. Kite Elementary; Highlands Elementary; Hogan-Spring Glen Elementary; Holiday Hill Elementary; Hyde Park Elementary; Jacksonville Heights Elementary; John E. Ford K-8 School; Kings Trail Elementary; Lake Lucina Elementary; Lone Star Elementary; Long Branch Elementary; Love Grove Elementary; Mamie Agnes Jones Elementary; Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary; Mayport Elementary; Mt. Herman Exceptional Student Center; Normandy Village Elementary; North Shore Elementary; Oak Hill Academy; Oceanway Elementary; Ortega Elementary; Parkwood Heights Elementary; Pickett Elementary; Pine Estates Elementary; Pinedale Elementary; R.L. Brown Gifted and Talented Academy; R.V. Daniels Elementary; Ramona Elementary; Reynolds Lane Elementary; Rufus E. Payne Elementary; Ruth N. Upson Elementary; Rutledge H. Pearson Elementary; S.A. Hull Elementary; Sadie T. Tillis Elementary; Sallye B. Mathis Elementary; San Jose Elementary; Southside Estates Elementary; Spring Park Elementary; St. Clair Evans Academy; Stonewall Jackson Elementary; Susie E. Tolbert Elementary; Thomas Jefferson Elementary; Timucuan Elementary; West Riverside Elementary; Westview K-8 School; Whitehouse Elementary; Windy Hill Elementary & Woodland Acres Elementary.

“Access initiatives like Family 2 Family are critical to our mission of engaging and inspiring through the arts, gardens and education,” said Adam Levine, George W. and Kathleen I. Gibbs Director & Chief Executive Officer of the Cummer Museum.  “I am deeply grateful to the donors and community partners who played a role in funding Family 2 Family. As a result of their generosity, thousands of families will have the opportunity to create new, meaningful connections with art, nature and, most importantly, each other.”

Members of the Museum enjoy numerous benefits, including exclusive exhibition openings; special invitations to programs and events; a quarterly digital newsletter; discounted admission to concerts, lectures, garden programs, art camps and classes; a 10% discount at the Cummer Shop and Cummer Café; free admission to more than 150 Southeast Reciprocal Museums; reciprocal membership to over 1,000 institutions through the North American Reciprocal Museums (NARM) program; and reciprocal membership to nearly 300 gardens through the American Horticultural Society Reciprocal Program.

“Whether it’s taking a walk, through Renaissance history or beholding an ancient Egyptian sculpture, these are experiences that all children should have as they blossom into well-rounded and cultured individuals,” said Dr. Diana Greene, superintendent of Duval County Public Schools. “I am proud to serve alongside the Cummer Museum and other community partners as we work through the invaluable Family 2 Family program to make sure these experiences are accessible to all of our children.”

Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens
   829 Riverside Avenue
   Jacksonville, Florida 32204
   (904) 356-6857
   Hours of Operation & Admission

Cummer Museum launches ‘Family 2 Family’ membership match promo

The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens today announced the launch of the Family 2 Family Membership Match promotion.  For every $100 donated to the Museum as part of a membership purchase or upgrade through September 30, the Museum will give a Museum membership to the family of a current fourth-grade Duval County Public Schools (DCPS) student.

The promotion builds upon the Museum’s long-standing partnership with DCPS.  During the 2018-2019 school year, thousands of DCPS students visited the Museum or participated in art education experiences through outreach programs, including more than 800 fourth-grade students who were provided a free tour of the Augusta Savage: Renaissance Woman exhibition.

The Museum’s goal for the Family 2 Family promotion is to secure 5,500 memberships to provide all current fourth-grade students with a free Family-level membership.  Adam Levine, the Cummer Museum’s George W. and Kathleen I.  Gibbs Director & Chief Executive Officer, sees the promotion as a way to ensure these students can come back to the Museum with their families without restriction, whether to experience a special exhibition or enjoy playing in the reconstructed gardens.

“Visiting art museums at a young age is an important and valuable educational experience, but the impact of art museums on learning and development increases substantially when people come back,” said Levine.  “When you remove barriers to entry, people visit museums.  Family 2 Family is about this community coming together to provide access to the highest quality arts, gardens and programming.  I can think of no fuller embodiment of Ninah Cummer’s vision to create ‘a center of beauty and culture for all of Jacksonville.’”

The Museum will work with DCPS to distribute vouchers for free Museum memberships to students and their families during the 2019-2020 school year.  “We are so thankful to community partners like the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens that play such a vital role in enriching the educational and cultural experiences of our students,” said Dr. Diana Greene, superintendent of Duval County Public Schools.  “Through the Cummer’s Family 2 Family promotion, learning in art, history, and social studies will be brought to life for our students and their families as they enjoy even greater access to the museum.”

Family-level memberships cost $100 and include free admission for a year for two adults and children or grandchildren under the age of 18.  Additional benefits include exclusive exhibition openings; special invitations to programs and events; a quarterly digital newsletter; discount admission for concerts, lectures, garden programs, art camps and classes; a 10% discount at the Cummer Shop and Cummer Café; free admission to more than 150 Southeast Reciprocal Museums; reciprocal membership to over 1,000 institutions through the North American Reciprocal Museums (NARM) program; and reciprocal membership to nearly 300 gardens through the American Horticultural Society Reciprocal Program.

Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens
   829 Riverside Avenue
   Jacksonville, Florida 32204
   (904) 356-6857
   Hours of Operation & Admission

White Harvest Farm promotes 'Farm To School' event for students

The Clara White Mission, Inc. is pleased to announce that on Wednesday, October 26, from 11 a.m.–1 p.m. students at St. Clair Evans Academy will participate in the White Harvest Farm Inaugural Farm to School Harvesting and Lunch, made possible through the generous support of Duval County Public Schools (DCPS) Food Services and Chartwells K12.

The event will take place at the White Harvest Farm, 4850 Moncrief Road in Northwest Jacksonville, and will offer participating youngsters a tour of the farm and farmer’s market, along with the chance to play a part in hands-on planting and harvesting activities for the day.  Lunch will feature fresh produce-inspired dishes and entertainment, and each child will take home a plant they have learned about during their farm experience.

“The Clara White Mission/White Harvest Farm is excited and grateful for this opportunity and the unexpected gift from Chartwells.  This hands-on collaboration with Chartwells K12 is the perfect way to give back to young people and families in this food desert community, while making a visible difference “said CEO/President Ju’Coby Pittman.

White Harvest Farm is being developed as an urban farm and farmer's market.  Adjacent to a large USDA-identified food desert community, White Harvest Farms has coordinated with local farmers, businesses, schools, senior centers, churches and other non-profits to promote smart eating and provide access to healthy foods within the community where the work, live and play.

White Harvest community partners include: Chartwells K12, St. Clair Evans Academy, Bank of America, Chase Bank, Carter G. Woodson Elementary, City of Jacksonville, CSX, Department of Environmental Protection, I’m A Star Foundation, Duval County Health Department, LISC, Northwest Jacksonville Community Development Corporation, Save Our Sons, Community Foundation of Jacksonville, Jessie Ball duPont Fund, Scheidel Foundation, Jacksonville Civitans, Jacksonville Meninak Club, Tiger Academy, University of Florida Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension, University of North Florida, US Department of Agriculture, US Department of Veterans Affairs, and War On Poverty.