Primary Source to Offer New American Art Course in 2008

Massachusetts Cultural Council Funding Provides Crucial Support for Programs

Thanks to the support of the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC), Primary Source offered a range of high-quality programs featuring the arts during the 2006-2007 school year. Participants in our recent Doorways to Islamic Art workshops explored tessellations, calligraphy, and architecture with hands-on activities and were inspired to bring these themes into their classrooms. Teachers enjoyed creating replicas of Egyptian tent wall panels, decorated with Arabic calligraphy and used in traditional celebrations. One math educator planned to collaborate with a colleague in the art department to create an interdisciplinary unit on patterns, using Islamic art as his case study.

Our Coming of Age film series, which showcased the stories of young people around the globe, provided a unique way for teachers to introduce their students to other ways of life. "Film," wrote a participant, "is an enjoyable avenue to experience other cultures, and it leaves lasting impressions." Two new workshops on Latin America also highlighted the variety of arts traditions in the region, including a performance of the Brazilian martial art of capoeira.

MCC support will also allow us to build on the success of this year's American Canvases: Arts of the 19th Century seminar. The program, which drew social studies, literature, and art educators, featured workshops with 19th century photography, film, and paintings. "It was great to look at and analyze images. This is something that's directly applicable to the classroom," said one teacher. "I am using more primary sources, including passages from Mark Twain's writing and 19th century photos, to use as starting points for describing the lives of soldiers for my Civil War unit" noted another history educator.

American Canvases received such positive reviews that Primary Source will offer a new American art program in 2007-2008, Global Art Traditions in the United States. Stay tuned to the Primary Source website for details.