[Jubilee] Arts & Change work (for discussion) - anti-bullying

[Carol Foltz Spring]

I have a little experience on the question of "how to get into a public 
school."  I used to work for a puppet theater, Blue Sky Puppet Theatre, 
that does anti-bullying, conflict resolution, and other shows for school 
assemblies, all around the mid-Atlantic area--Maryland, DC, Virginia, 
Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.  So it's true that there's money in 
it!  The company used to send out flyers to all the elementary schools and 
then wait for calls to come in, though I think now they're trying to do 
emails instead to save money on marketing.  Usually it seemed like there 
was someone in each school responsible for setting up assemblies, often the 
principal; occasionally PTAs would have money for assemblies.  I didn't do 
any bookings myself though.  Blue Sky's website is 
http://www.blueskypuppets.com.

Carol

At 09:43 AM Monday 11/20/2006, you wrote:
>I attended the "Arts and Change" workshop at Joe's Movement Emporium in
>Mt. Ranier, Maryland (DC) yesterday and thoroughly enjoyed the
>stimulating interaction and discussion with other "conscious artists."
>It was co-organized by an Atlanta-based arts-change network (extending
>across the Southeastern US) called Alternate Roots -- a very inspiring
>and diverse group of folks!  One of the big questions raised in a panel
>was, "what is the role of artists in social change work and movements,"
>and while i balked at the overly broad question at first, it sparked a
>lot of good ideas.
>
>One simple anecdote came from a "conscious art" hip-hopper who shared
>about doing workshops with Cripps and Bloods.  He said at the end of the
>workshop, he related that what they hated the most was having to think
>and reflect about their decisions.  "People need to be dumbed down to do
>that kind of gang work.  You don't want someone on a drive-by who's
>gonna ask, 'what about this guy's family?'"  I guess we don't need to do
>much sometimes.  Simple truths.
>
>He recommended a movie called /Slam/.  See it!  I'm gonna!
>
>Another question.  Slightly related:
>
>I have begun to think about doing "anti-bullying" theater work here in
>the York area.  A woman who works for a social service agency mentioned
>to me that "there's always money in school assemblies" if i would want
>to put together a theater package on /anti-bullying/.  Highmark
>insurance also just launched a new funding initiative in PA which
>includes anti-bullying.  So there's money there.  And i remember that
>Hudson River Playback had done performances focused on bullying, but i
>wondered if anyone else has had experience with this kind of themed work
>with kids.
>
>I would also be interested to hear from folks who've brought any kinds
>of art (art/change) projects into public schools and what their
>experience was.  How do you get into a public school?  Who do you set up
>a gig with?  Anyone?
>
>Hope all is well this cool November day (in PA).
>
>peace now,
>  chris
>  york, pa
>
>
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