An Artist Residency Steve
Schuch: An Artist Residency Artist Residencies are created on an individual
basis, typically from three to ten days in length. Sometimes they
involve the entire school; other times they focus on a specific
grade level. Residencies may include any combination of Assemblies,
Workshops, and an evening Concert (or final school wide performance).
See separate descriptions of Assemblies,
Workshops for All Ages, and Specialized
Workshops for ideas.
Once you've chosen the core theme and classes to work
with, don't stop there. Consider including an enrichment workshop
for chorus, orchestra, foreign language classes, drama club, art
classes, etc. Likewise a Parent or Educator workshop.
Some of Steve Schuch's goals for an Artist Residency
are to:
Create an in-depth experience
between the artist, students, teachers and community
Model integrating the arts
into classroom curriculum.
Foster the children's own
creativity and a lasting love of the arts.
Advance
Preparation The key to getting the most out of any arts residency
is advance planning. Often the enrichment coordinator, librarian,
music teacher, and art teacher are part of the planning team. In
consultation with Steve, they plan the overall theme and schedule.
Once dates are set, Steve sends a contract and receives
a deposit. A month or two before the residency, Steve sends CD's,
books, and Prep Materials for classroom teachers, art teacher and
music teacher. He can also supply Press Release, Flyers and Posters
for a final evening concert.
The Schedule: Day 1 A residency usually opens with several larger
assemblies. Whereas workshops will focus on certain classes and
grade levels, these opening assemblies (and the final concert) include
everyone.
Middle Days These include any combination of 3 workshops
a day, typically 45 minutes to an hour in length. Workshops give
students a chance to work with a live author, composer and storyteller
in a small group setting. Children can talk with Steve about his
travels, where his ideas come from, perhaps his first violin lesson
when he was eight! Parent and Educator workshops may be scheduled
for an afternoon or evening. These are usually 1 1/2 hours in length.
(Kid's artwork inspired by "A Symphony
of Whales")
Final Day and Concert The last day is spent rehearsing with students
who are joining Steve in the performance. They'll already know many
of Steve's songs from his CD's sent in advance. Now we work on diction,
phrasing, and stage presence. In elementary schools, several classes
or even an entire grade may perform together. In middle schools
and high schools, Steve usually works with the school chorus. Classes
often display any art work or poems they've created as part of the
residency week.
Some schools present the evening concert to the community
at large; others (with limited space) just invite the families of
participating children. It's up to the school and PTO-PTA whether
to charge admission. Either way, a rousing concert gives a satisfying
sense of closure to to Steve's time at the school.
Afterward there are often refreshments. Steve signs
books and CD's (and anything else handed to him). Parents are encouraged
to view any art work or poems children created during the residency
week.
To plan a residency for your school, give a call
or send an e-mail. Things
Steve will need to know include:
What are the grade levels
and size of your school?
Who is on the planning team?
How many days would you
like to schedule?
Which grade levels you would
like to focus on?
Any special workshop requests?
Any special themes you would
like Steve to include?
What space is available
for the various workshops? (The music room often works well.)
What space is available
for the final concert?
Would you like Steve to
supply posters (see samples)?
Popular residency themes have included oceans, whales,
songs & tales from around the world, and songs & tales of
the earth. For more ideas, see assemblies
and workshops for all ages.
