Littman-Thomas Agency, Inc. Funds Arts in Education

Julie Strait of DCCA accepts check from
Dave Keiser, Littman-Thomas Agency, Inc.

Littman-Thomas Agency, Inc. is a sponsor of Darke County Center for the Arts’ 2010-2011 Arts in Education program through which performing artists are presented to students of all grade levels in all Greenville City and Darke County Public Schools. “DCCA and the schools of Darke County are strongly committed to offering the children of our community the opportunity to learn and grow through the arts,” said Julie Strait, DCCA Executive Director. “Valued supporters like Littman-Thomas Agency, Inc. enable us to offer these programs which inspire the imaginations of children and encourage the expression of creativity,” she concluded.

Arts In Education programs are chosen based on a) artistic merit, b) the ability to offer opportunity for growth, enrichment and discovery, and c) the capacity to educate and broaden appreciation for diverse cultural experiences. Artists are escorted to schools by volunteers during a week long residency, generally performing twice a day; the exception being Jr. High school artists who present at St. Clair Memorial Hall with students being transported from the schools. DCCA works in close cooperation with the Darke County Office of Education to choose presentations appropriate for grade levels and to coordinate performance schedules with schools.

This year’s Arts In Education schedule begins the week of September 27 with Lyle Cogen teaching students in grades K-3 the negative effects of bullying with her creative program Sticks and Stones. Students in grades 7 and 8 will be inspired by concert pianist Alpin Hong on February 3rd and 4th of 2011, when his program Movies to Games, Classically Trained will help students connect the history of music with today’s various forms and uses. Allan Wolfe will encourage high school students to discover the transforming power of language with Got Rhyme, the week of February 15. The final Arts In Education residency will take place the week of March 7, 2011, when master shadowgraph artist Leland Faulkner will teach students in grades 4-6 the amazing lost art of hand shadows. Faulkner is an inspiring artist whose skills are highly valued, having been a consultant on the making of the popular movie “The Polar Express.”

Sponsorships for Arts In Education and other DCCA programs are still available. For more information contact Julie Strait at 937-547-0908, Keith Rawlins at 937-564-1883, or refer to DCCA’s website at www.centerforarts.net.