Arts teachers from across the state met at the University of Maine at Orono for a Maine Arts Assessment Initiative (MAAI) regional workshop earlier this month. The workshop focused on articulating proficiency in arts learning and developing proficiency models for different grade levels.
In the spring of 2011, Maine launched the MAAI statewide initiative on arts education assessment with support from the Maine Alliance for Arts Education, the Maine Learning Technology Initiative and the University of Southern Maine. Two primary objectives of MAAI are to devise a statewide plan for assessment in arts education, which includes professional development opportunities, and to share and expand on arts educators’ knowledge and skills.
Also this month, the Maine Art Education Association held its annual spring conference at Brunswick High School. Art teachers participated in a variety of round table discussions on educator effectiveness and teacher evaluations and attended workshops pertaining to arts making, creativity and effective studio habits. Linking the arts to the Common Core State Standards was a central theme throughout the day as arts integration has so much potential to engage students in experiential learning. For more information about arts education in Maine, please contact Maine DOE Visual and Performing Arts Specialist Kevin Facer at 207-624-6826 or kevin.facer@maine.gov.