Lubeznik Center for the Arts Launches “Literacy Through the Arts”

rotACertain Michigan City 2nd and 3rd graders are about to benefit from a brand new after school curriculum designed to give them an academic leg up. Literacy Through the Arts, a landmark program being launched this fall by Lubeznik Center for the Arts (LCA), is designed to improve learning outcomes for at risk students in seven Michigan City Area Schools (MCAS). While the program will concentrate in literacy and the arts, the data suggests its benefits may carry over into other academic areas, including math, language arts and science.

"Selecting second and third graders for the initial launch was the logical choice," says Janet Bloch, LCA's Education Director, "as fundamental literacy skills are being honed at this level. The program will allow us to provide a stronger start to a child's academic experience and track their success as they move through grade school."

Program startup costs are supported by a grant from the Michigan City Community Enrichment Corporation along with contributions from the Unity Foundation of La Porte County. Without support from these groups this initiative would not be possible.

LCA is piloting the program with the help of literacy specialist, Abagael Schmidt,MA, who developed Super Stars and Stories, a program that uses performance as a tool to enhance comprehension. Schmidt is bringing the same level of excitement to Literacy Through the Arts with a dynamic curriculum, teacher training and assessment tools designed to strengthen learning and track outcomes. Her commitment to exploring innovative educational methodologies is matched by her enthusiasm about Michigan City's shift as an arts center for the region.

"It's exciting to live in Michigan City again," Schmidt says. "The city is fast becoming an arts Mecca with Artspace, a growing number of galleries, the Uptown Arts District and of course, the LCA. Our students deserve to be a part of that."

The program will use the award winning children's book, A Splash of Red, The Life and Art of Horace Pippin. The colorfully illustrated book details the life of a self-taught artist who overcame poverty, racism, disability and war to become an American master. Schmidt selected this book because she is determined that students view art not as an elitist past time, but rather a path to discover their own culture and to express how they exist within it-just like Horace Pippin.

Literacy Through the Arts is a 12-week program divided into a series of lessons that will allow students to write and edit their perceptions along with creating and revising their own visual art. "Every lesson comes back to our essential question," says Schmidt. "How is art connected to everyday life and culture? Through this program, we hope to help students learn how they fit into the world and how art fits into their lives."

So, what difference do the arts make? A lot! Studies show there is a clear correlation between art and other academic achievement. A report by Americans for the Arts states that children who participate regularly in the arts are four times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement, to participate in a math and science fair or to win an award for writing an essay or poem than children who do not participate. Another study conducted at the University of Kansas revealed that students in elementary schools with superior music education programs scored around 22 percent higher in English and 20 percent higher in math scores on standardized tests. These and other studies show that when schools lose funding for the arts, they lose a whole lot more than cute pictures to adorn the refrigerator.

"We wish we could do more," says Bloch. "So many people are unaware that exposing young children to the arts can impact cognitive, social and motor development. They're unaware that the sensory and exploratory aspects of dance, music, painting, and singing can either stimulate or calm-essential in achieving the proper mindset for learning."

What you might not know: LCA has long supported arts education to local schools that suffered financial cuts. To fill the gap, they provide 700 after school studentswith visual, musical and performance art instruction three times a week; 120 students receive onsite arts programming; 400 summer campers get visual, musical and performance instruction; and, the LCA is the identified arts provider for area home schoolers.

"We're excited about the idea of marrying art and literacy," says Bloch. "This effort will be a first for the area. Hopefully, in time we'll be able to grow the program to 4th and 5th graders and who knows, one day maybe every grade will benefit."

Lubeznik Center for the Arts is located at 101 W. 2nd St., at the lakefront in Michigan City, IN. Weekday hours are from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (CDT). Weekend hours are from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM (CDT). Thursdays: 10 - 7* (Memorial Day - Labor Day)*Hyndman Gallery opens at 2 pm. For more information please visit lubeznikcenter.org or call 219-874-4900.

Provided with support from South Shore Arts and the Indiana Arts Commission, a state agency.