Juneau Arts Education Programs Listed in National Report

The Juneau Arts & Humanities Council (The Council), is thrilled to announce that the Artful Teaching program, co-sponsored by The Council, Juneau School District, and the University of Alaska Southeast has been highlighted in the Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies 2018 Annual Report. 

Now in its 5th year, the Artful Teaching program prepares, supports, and retains responsive teachers in Juneau, while promoting an arts-integrated, culturally-sustaining, and creative approach to teaching in Juneau’s classrooms. By providing collaborative layers of support for pre-service and early career teachers, co-learning with mentor teachers and administrators through teaching artist workshops and residencies, coursework, art kits, and reflective practice protocols, Artful Teaching is a community-wide support system for Juneau teachers and families. At its core, Artful Teaching is a practitioner-driven experience; honoring and empowering teachers to construct their own understandings and direct their own learning to deepen their practice of teaching in and through the arts and local Indigenous culture. 

Artful Teaching in Juneau has been underwritten by the Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies (MACP), since 2014, one of only two states developing this program type. In the 2018 annual report, MACP notes: “This collaboration between the Juneau School District, the University of Alaska Southeast, and the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council…not only enriches the classroom experience for students, it helps boost teacher confidence and competence, and connects new teachers with mentors and peers. Together, this paints a clear picture of improved teacher satisfaction and, ultimately, better retention.” Photographs of Juneau teacher Carly Lehnhart, Teaching Artist Roblin Davis, and a drawing of a mollusk by a 2nd Grader at Harborview illustrates the numerous and diverse programs funded by MACP. 

The full report by MACP is attached with this Press Release. Juneau’s Artful Teaching program is featured on pages 19-20.

For more information on the Artful Teaching Program, please contact JAHC Arts Education Director Stephen Blanchett (stephen@jahc.org), or JAHC Executive Director Nancy DeCherney (nancy@jahc.org). 

released today, takes note of the Artful Teaching work begin done in Juneau by the arts education team developed by the Council, the Juneau School District, and the University of Alaska SE.

You can see their comments on page 19 of the report.