One value is the students’ learning how to “see”.  This might be something one takes for granted. One might say, “I can see.   I see movies, my computer, the road that I drive on”,  etc.  But to “see” might entail a little more study of detail such as– where is the source of light to create shadow or how can a line be used to create volume? How can one create the illusion of 3-dimension on a 2-dimensional surface?  Why does a painted orange have part of it bright orange while the color tone changes to create shadow and form with different shades of orange?  These are but a small number of things that aid in “seeing”.  After viewing art for many years, it becomes part of the process and easier for the brain to comprehend. For example, a patron of the arts might not purchase “what he/she likes” but knows through “seeing” what makes a drawing or painting tick.

Another function of learning drawing or painting is how it helps develop decision making. Learning how to make a drawing or painting work is a form of problem solving that transcends the boundaries of art and helps in everyday life. It incorporates the intellectual thought process with the use of intuition to reach a desired outcome in art as well as in all forms of work and everyday living. In short, learning to draw or paint uses the same problem solving skills as building computers or constructing a super highway. The longer one does paint or draw, the longer one creates better building blocks for such skills.

This is why I teach painting/drawing as a discipline.

Jim Jacobi

When I was 16 or 17 I found my mom’s old record player and a box of her old vinyls.  Inside that box was Bob Dylan.  I fell in love.  Something was different about this.  I understood what he was saying in a way that was much different from the way a boy band machine spoke to me.  I was moved, and not only by the music, but by the way this music felt more alive, like it had done things, and changed the way my mother saw the world.

I wish more parents, mentors, people who work with children in general would spend more time talking about how music moves them, exposing young people to different types of music.  The person talking with the child should always pick something that moves them.  Well here is what moves me.  http://theanswerteam.net/videos.php

This music video is from a local Omaha band called, The Answer Team.  They are an instrumental post rock band.  What strikes me about their music, that I interpret the sounds differently every time I listen.  It is made with instruments familiar to my generation, and it doesn’t need words to speak to me.  And as much as the music is in the instruments, when I blare it on my car stereo, it is inside me too.  The link will also take you to their website where you will be able to find ways to access more of their music also.  Have a creative week.

To: You

Re: Creativity, Music, Ramblings, Art, Dance, and Anything Else

I would like to introduce myself as the staff blogger for Arts for All.  First of all, I am a graduate student in creative writing who also works for a credit card processor.  Secondly, I became affiliated with Arts for All in 2009 as I was preparing to graduate with my bachelor’s degree in creative writing.  Over the past two years I have instructed young people at Arts for All in creative writing.  Due to the intricacies of a busy life, I have accepted the position of posting an artistic blog every week for your reading pleasure.

It is also necessary to discuss what will be occurring each week in these blogs.  I will discuss something creative and normally there will be some sort of creative challenge for you, your child, or anyone you think that can handle the gravity of the challenge.  Occasionally, there will be a blog post from a guest: a teacher for Arts for All, the director of Arts for All, or anyone else we force to write for us.

I am looking forward to posting for you every week.  Please feel free to comment.

Best Regards,

Joy Von Ill

Arts for All Staff Blogger

P.S. Creative challenge: write a Memo.  Find a new way to use the form, i.e. a love letter, a to do list, or anything else that strikes your fancy.  Leave it in comment if you like.

• Ballet/Tap

Students learn and build on fundamentals of creative movement, rhythm, and ballet techniques. We offer classes for several age groups and skill levels, including classes just for adults.

• Belly Dancing/ Mid-Eastern Traditional

Intro to belly dancing includes the history of belly dancing: hip lift, hip drop, shimmy, zills, veil work. This is traditional dancing.

We offer the following classes:

• Acting 

This class works on developing self-confidence through fun improvisation exercises. Students also learn to develop their imagination while learning basic theater knowledge and stage techniques.

Writing for Fun is based solely on that. Students will be given an exhaustive list of the different types of creative writing, such as poetry, fiction, creative non-fiction, journalism, slam poetry, radio commentary, and much more. A popular vote will be taken to choose which topics to discuss in class. This provides a personalized experience, so each child can find something they enjoy in the realm of creative writing. The goal of the class is to have a laid back approach so students can enjoy writing and imagining new things.

The visual arts teach us how to use these elements, and help us to be more aware of them in our world. Learning how to truly see is one of the great benefits from art classes.

AFA offers a wide variety of visual arts classes for all ages.  Each semester AFA also offers several new and exciting visual arts classes.

Arts For All offers the following variety of music arts classes:

Guitar Beginning students learn the parts of the guitar, frets, chords, and to play sheet music. Intermediate to advance students work on music theory. Classes are grouped by experience level, age and instruction method if possible.
Voice Improve tone quality, music reading skills, breathing techniques, voice projection and depending on class size, may work individually, in pairs or as a whole group.
Drums Introduce basic techniques, music reading, posture, position, using sticks and snare drumming. Students may require the purchase of a music book.  Also for practice at home-drum sticks and a pad will work fine.
Sing for Fun (5-7 years) Young children sing fun songs appropriate for their age. Have fun with music; learn about rhythm, a beat and pronunciation.
Piano Arts For All has piano classes for students of all ages and skill levels. Beginning students will learn to count rhythms, read notes, and play with expression. Students receive individualized instruction while participating in a small group class. Advanced students use several methods depending on student interest.
Music Moves Focuses on developing the whole musician – sing, movement, understand music,  with a systematic method of piano skills: keyboard knowledge, technique and body awareness; activities to have fun and learn.  This class is for students ages 5-7 years.
Violin Suzuki and All For Strings methods used and come away with learning the correct way to stand, hold both the violin and bow.  Begin ear training to hear correct intonation and develop good sound as well as read and play sheet music.  Advanced students continue to explore more challenging music and also playing in parts.
Simply Music Simply Music is a remarkable, Australian- developed piano and keyboard program that offers a breakthrough in music education. This unique method has children, teens, adults and seniors, playing great sounding blues, classical, contemporary and accompaniment pieces – immediately – from their very first lessons.  For more information about Simply Music, please visit the web site www.simplymusic.com.
Children’s Choir Children’s choir is the perfect environment for students to enjoy a social atmosphere while learning proper singing techniques and applying what they learn to a broad range of music genres. Students will be singing in unison and two parts, learning pitch, balance and blend, all while having the fun of expressing themselves through music as a team.
Music Together ® Music Together ® is a “research-based” music curriculum that promotes family involvement.  It is an internationally recognized early childhood music and movement program for babies, toddlers, preschoolers, kindergarteners, and their parents/caregivers.  Music Together classes are based on the recognition that all children are musical, can learn to sing in tune, keep a beat and participate in the music of our culture.  The curriculum includes solfège, solos and ensembles, folk dances, harmony singing, vocal development, and drumming. For more information visit: www.musictogether.com