Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the K 12 Arts Education topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Bismarck schools highlight student art, community partnerships in board presentation
Summary
Horizon Middle School and Legacy High teachers presented student projects and community collaborations to the Bismarck Public Schools board, citing gallery visits, murals, fundraisers and after-school clubs as ways students engage with the wider community.
HORIZON MIDDLE SCHOOL and LEGACY HIGH presented examples of student artwork and community partnerships to the Bismarck Public Schools Board on Jan. 27.
The presentation featured projects from Horizon Middle School and Legacy High that teachers said connected students with neighborhood artists, galleries and local nonprofits. "I'm Doug Vanderpan and I've been the portfolio holder for art for several years," said Doug Vanderpan, assistant principal, introducing Horizon's segment and the teachers who led the classroom work. "I think we offer a really good art elective for our BPS students."
Why it matters: presenters and board members said arts opportunities build students' engagement with school and the community and can support other academic work. Board member John Lee praised the program, saying the arts "enrich our kids' lives and how they do better in other subjects when they have that outlet."
Horizon teachers described several recent activities: a community paint party held in partnership with the Bismarck-Burleigh Public Health District and a local artist; a planned mural installation on the city expressway; student mosaic and ceramics projects; a gallery walk downtown that included the Bismarck Art & Galleries Association (BAGA), the Capitol Gallery and the Bismarck Downtown Artist Cooperative (Art Alley); and an after-school art club that meets weekly. "Part of art is enlivening your community," teacher Andrea Vinci said, describing the gallery visits and local collaborations.
Legacy High School teacher Lori Reel described school-level initiatives that showcase students' creative work and community service: a yearlong large-format project displayed near Legacy's art rooms, student photography projects illustrating school values ("Sacrifice, Attitude, Belief, Effort, Respect"), a National Art Honor Society chapter that volunteers with United Way and community events, and student contributions to fundraisers and animal-shelter events. Reel said Legacy students also post work on Artsonia, an online student-portfolio site, and participate in the annual BAGA student exhibition.
Board members asked brief follow-ups about program capacity and visibility. Lee thanked the presenters for their work and encouraged expanding elementary certified art teachers; Reel said she is willing to discuss elementary art program planning with the board.
The presentation concluded with the board thanking the teachers for their work bringing students into public art spaces, fundraisers and volunteer activities.
