[ General Information ] [ Opportunities for Roster Artists ] [ Obligations of Roster Artists ] [ Contract Details ] [ Financial Details ] [ Core Curriculum Standards ]

The Utah State Office of Education mandates that schools teach the Utah State Core Curriculum Standards in the Arts.

Elementary Fine Arts Core Curriculum Resources

Secondary Fine Arts Core Curriculum Resources

Recently, the new National Standards for Arts Education and America's Goals 2000 have increased the attention to state core curricula. In addition, AE has entered into a formal partnership with the Utah State Office of Education, and for all these reasons we are now emphasizing the use of the core more vigorously. Artist and sponsor evaluation forms now provide for a list of core components that were addressed in the residency or project.

Unfortunately, in a time when funds are limited and increasing demands are being made on teachers, education professionals often view arts instruction as a "frill". More and more often, AE finds itself having to justify to principals, teachers, and superintendents the benefits of having artists in school settings. Because of this we have to emphasize attention to the state core curriculum much more than we used to. Educators are increasingly under pressure to demonstrate how their programming addresses the Utah core curriculum standards in the arts. Activities which do not address the core curriculum may be canceled.

Many artists already address the core objectives in their residencies, of course. Some not only teach the Utah State Core Curriculum Standards in the Arts but also address elements of the language arts, math, science or social studies core, as well. For example, an artist may teach the solar system through dance, or use a historical or current event as the basis for a play. It is important that you point out just how your residency will address the core curriculum when you discuss residency plans with a prospective sponsor. If you do not do so, be prepared for the possibility that the sponsor may ask you: "Which of the mandated state core objectives will this residency and teacher in-service address?" If you cannot articulate your familiarity with the core curriculum you run the risk of not obtaining the residency.

At the beginning of each contract year, artists will be asked to identify objectives in the core curriculum standards in the arts, which they address in the normal course of their residency or project activities. Additional core elements from other curricula such as science, math, social studies, and language arts should also be identified by the artist. If artists want to identify objectives for math, science, etc., AE will forward to the artist the curriculum standards they request. The artist will be paid an additional $50 to go through the core documents and identify objectives pertinent to their activities. This information will be forwarded to all sponsors asking for the artists' services.

A copy of the National Standards and copies of the Utah State Core curriculum standards in the arts for music, dance, visual arts and theater is available on request. The AE office will be glad to help you plan your residency or project so that these requirements will be met.