ArtsBuild held its second Holmberg Arts Leadership Institute for Teachers in June
ArtsBuild held its second Holmberg Arts Leadership Institute for Teachers in June. The program is based on the organization’s arts leadership institute presented each fall.
The summer Institute gives K-12 classroom teachers and administrators the opportunity to gain a more in-depth understanding of the role the arts play in the greater Chattanooga area. Classes included presentations on the arts in underserved areas, economic development, public art, and funding for the arts. The program also included hands-on activities, tours of arts organizations and artist studios as well as special guest speakers and panelists from the community.
Twenty-two teachers participated in this year’s Institute, representing 18 public and private schools. Many of the participants were traditional art teachers; however, there were also science, social studies, Spanish, administrators, librarians and physical education teachers as well.
"The Holmberg Arts Leadership Institute was a wonderful experience for me,” said Sharon Leath, a physical education teacher at Smith Elementary. “As an elementary school physical education teacher I was not sure how the Institute would really impact my teaching. I was a little worried I would be out of my league and not very relevant to the discussion. I was amazed. From the moment I arrived I was captivated and impressed by the potential and opportunity arts and culture share with our community. We live in a vibrant, creative world and ArtsBuild is fostering and nurturing Chattanooga and its people—all its people—not just artsy or cultured people but everyone who lives, breathes, works, visits, or just passes through. My eyes are now open, and I can share this energy and creative spirit with all my students, co-workers, family, and friends for years to come.”
“To our knowledge, this is the only arts leadership program for teachers in the country," said Rodney Van Valkenburg, ArtsBuild's director of grants and initiatives. "Through the Institute, teachers make connections with our arts community and have a deeper appreciation of our arts infrastructure which will benefit the educators professionally and personally.”
2014 Holmberg Arts Leadership Institute for Teachers participants:
Mary Avans, Barger Academy of Fine Arts
Chad Burnette, Center for Creative Arts
Chris Cooper, Ooltewah Middle School
Laura Dowd, Red Bank Elementary
Vicki Edwards, Loftis, Red Bank Middle School, Lookout Valley
Zephanie Flippin, East Lake Elementary School
Catherine Gilreath, Big Ridge Elementary School
Kendra Harris, East Lake Elementary School
Katie Hetrick, Battle Academy
Cathie Kasch, Girls Preparatory School
Debbie Kelly, Barger Academy of Fine Arts
Liz Kimball, Sequoyah High School
Sharon Leath, Smith Elementary School
Michelle Leavy, Normal Park Museum Magnet School
Sandra Lehn, Brown Academy
Isabel McCall, Girls Preparatory School
Gail Moore, Former K-12 Art Instructor
Candace Russell, Red Bank Elementary School
Nicole Song, Battle Academy
Kim Thompson, Daisy Elementary School
Pamela Watson, Chattanooga School for the Arts & Sciences
Michael Weger, Hixson Middle School
Applications for the Fall Holmberg Arts Leadership Institute will be available in July at
www.ArtsBuild.com.