The BAE is committed to enriching the lives
of New York students through performance programs and curriculum-related
arts projects.
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Executive Director Bill Scribner and his staff have evolved a
philosophy of arts education which combines a workable balance
of hands-on teaching, student participation in interdisciplinary
projects, teacher training and professional performance which
have been acclaimed throughout the New York City region.
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The BAE's programs have been praised for the way children are directly involved
in the creative process, making them aware of the arts’ importance.
At the same time, our programs serve the New York State Learning Standard's larger goals of improving
reading and writing skills, as well as English comprehension.
Programs involve the interdisciplinary learning of English,
history, social studies and art as well as music.
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A major philosophy to which the BAE subscribes is quoted
in Business Week magazine, October 28, 1996:
“Arts instruction pushes students to perform - and to produce - by
offering models of excellence, and by clearly defining the paths for achieving it.”
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GOALS:
To effect school change through the arts,
as defined by the NY State Education Department Learning Standards and Center
for Arts Education:
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To expose students to great music of both Western and other cultures,
through performance and classroom demonstrations
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To promote links between music and subject areas familiar to students
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To heighten student self-esteem and pride in heritage
through development of an aesthetic experience
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To improve student reading and writing skills through the arts
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To provide hands-on tools to integrate the
arts into the existing academic curriculum
OBJECTIVES:
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To instruct teachers in the use of artistic
principles that include aesthetic and skills-based activities
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To offer professional development to
teachers to develop these principles
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To involve students in artistic activities
which enhance reading and communication skills
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To teach students the commitment, discipline and training required
of an artist, and to encourage these ideals for general achievement
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To build critical thinking skills and verbalizing judgments
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To build a future audience among both students and teachers
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To encourage parents and families to appreciate the arts, in and out
of school
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To develop the appreciation of diverse cultures through the arts
Personal growth and skills:
To meet the needs of a sophisticated technological economy,
the work force of today must contain “the adaptable learner”.
A poorly-educated, low-skilled worker finds little chance
for advancement in our economy. For a disadvantaged child,
poor communication skills can limit intellectual growth as
well as future job opportunities.
BAE’s programs are intended to help improve student verbal skills through
reading, writing and communication, utilizing theater and music.
Concurrently, self-discipline and self-esteem are enhanced - valuable
personal attributes for the future. Teachers as well expand their own artistic vision.
Audience development:
Once the envy of the nation, New York City’s
school music education underwent an alarming reduction through
financial cutbacks. A result of this has been a decline of
young adults in concert audiences.
However, recently there has been a change of attitude by
both the Mayor and City Board of Education, which has released
Project Arts funds into the schools, enabling them to partner
with community arts groups to revive school arts programs.
Nonprofit arts groups now have a greater demand for matching funds
to carry out their plans. Happily, the trend now is that younger
generations - students and teachers - are returning to the concert hall
and theater.
Integrating the arts into the curriculum and traditional arts education:
In order to sustain momentum in restoring
the arts to schools, there needs to be a link to core subjects
like reading, English, social studies, math and science. More
students must be exposed to the arts whether they are personally
gifted or not. To integrate the arts, schools can use them
as a means of inquiry and expression to enliven other subjects,
as well as teach them for their own aesthetic worth. At the
same time, the need for old-fashioned arts education remains:
students with ambition and talent must receive hands-on training
in music and art. Bronx Arts Ensemble artists, involved in
interdisciplinary school projects, are also available to support
school instrumental and choral teachers, and can also provide
teachers in visual arts, dance and acting as well as music.
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