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Hernando Today

Residency Program Will Bring Artists To Schools

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By LINNEA BROWN

Published: August 8, 2008

BROOKSVILLE - Who knew art could help improve math and science test scores for local students?

But, according to the U.S. Department of Education, students with high levels of art participation outperform those with little access to art in virtually every subject — and the Hernando County School District is taking notice.

With Superintendent Wayne Alexander as its newest member, the Hernando County Fine Arts Council and the district have partnered to start a pilot "Artist In Residency" program during the 2008-09 school year, in which local artists will go to public schools and work side-by-side with teachers to fit education about their art with the schools' curriculum.

Visual, performing and literary artists will teach and demonstrate their art form so students may observe the creative process, with artists paid through funds raised by the Hernando County Fine Arts Council Friends of the Arts program.

The district will also match all payments to visiting artists.

While the amount for payment has not yet been settled, artists will apply for the program and be chosen by administrators at individual schools based on need and availability.

"It's a win-win for everyone," the council's executive director Mary Jane Russell said. "It's promoting the arts, supporting the schools and benefiting students."

The program will be modeled after other programs in schools across the state, with local artists encouraged to apply who work in lesser-known disciplines such as opera, dance, photography, literature and crafts.

Students of all grade levels will learn about each art form and the benefits on artists' and residents' lives, Russell said.

"It's a good way to complement what's already going on in schools," she said. "We want to take advantage of the art and creativity that are right here in our community, and we're hoping we get artists from (various) different mediums."

A nonprofit organization, the council is the designated arts and culture council for the county. The collaborative initiative is one of several outlined in the council's newly adopted business plan.

At press time, Alexander was out of town and not available for comment. However, Russell said she and other members were pleasantly surprised when he recently took the initiative to join the organization.

Artists hoping to participate in the pilot schools program must submit an application by Aug. 11. The application can be found online at www.hernandoarts.org.

Reporter Linnea Brown can be reached at 352-544-5289 or lbrown@hernandotoday.com.

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