Dina Blot is one of 13 Island artists helping more than 600 students at seven schools learn through the arts this school year.
The ArtsSmarts learning experience program integrates the arts into core subjects like math, languages, social studies, and science by bringing artists into the classroom to share their skills and talents. Blot says it has allowed her to give Island children a look at the world from a creative perspective.
"To be able to participate in ArtsSmarts as an artist is a chance for personal development, self-fulfillment, social inclusion and active citizenship," Blot says. "When it results in a student later participating in my studio workshops or visiting my gallery, that to me is the cherry on the cake!"
Minister Jordan Brown with artist Dina Blot, West Royalty Elementary teacher Tracey Smith and students.
This is the 14th year for the ArtsSmarts, in which artists collaborate with teachers to bring disciplines like visual and literary arts, dance, music, and theatre into students' lessons.
Students, teachers, and artists are sharing this years' projects on social media with the hashtag #ArtsSmartsPEI.
"Our department recognizes the value of integrating arts into curriculum," Education, Early Learning and Culture Minister Jordan Brown said. "It ensures that young Islanders have opportunities to explore, learn, and develop artistic abilities and expressions. ArtsSmarts is a perfect example of artists working with communities to cultivate growth in culture for Prince Edward Island."
Two year-end exhibits will celebrate ArtsSmarts projects that have been completed at Island schools:
- one will be at Eptek Arts & Culture Centre from May 15 to 25; and
- another at the Confederation Centre of the Arts from May 18 to 21.
ArtsSmarts is a program of the Department of Education, Early Learning and Culture and provincial partnership involving the Confederation Centre of the Arts, Commission scolaire de langue française, the Public Schools Branch, Creative PEI, the PEI Crafts Council, the University of Prince Edward Island, Prince Edward Island Teachers' Federation, the PEI Human Rights Commission, the Fédération culturelle de l'Î.-P.-É., and the Eptek Art & Culture Centre.
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