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The purpose of the Art Volunteer Program is to expand our children’s exposure to art through presentation of a variety of art styles and forms within the classroom setting.
Become one of the 300 Art Volunteers and inspire a young mind. Now in its 40th year the Art Volunteer Program—AVP co-sponsored by Community Financial Credit Union welcomes new volunteers to present in area classrooms, organize and update the portfolios and kits and help with administrative work related to the program. |
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Arts Volunteer Program Resource Materials Available for 2008-09 Besides the four portfolios that are given to each school for a whole year, AVP volunteers can check out supplemental’ materials to make presentations in the classrooms. |
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What is the Art Volunteer Program? Thank you for volunteering your time for the Art Volunteer Program offered by the Plymouth Community Arts Council (PCAC). Each month, as the art volunteer you can bring a different portfolio to your assigned classroom. Portfolios hold about 6 poster-size reproductions with a common element. The accompanying information folder tells about the artist(s) and each piece of work. The art volunteer shares information with the students about the style, medium and era of the pieces, and about the artist and their lives. No prior art knowledge is needed because all information is provided. This is a very rewarding program and the children eagerly look forward to the monthly visits. The purpose of the Art Volunteer Program is to expand our children’s exposure to art through presentation of a variety of art styles and forms within the classroom setting.
Required School Membership for Participation in AVP? All school principals have been sent invoices and letters regarding the required PCAC membership for their volunteers and teachers to participate in the program. A non-profit membership due of $125 for the school year is expected to be paid by Oct 1. Without the school membership, volunteers and teachers will not be allowed to check out the materials. Some schools that have never paid PCAC membership dues will not be able to enjoy the privilege of using the AVP resources. Please follow-up with your building coordinators and Principals regarding payment of membership dues as soon as possible to avoid delays with borrowing materials for presentations. School membership is a requirement.
Building Portfolio Assignments? Each school participating in the Art Volunteer Program this year will be assigned four portfolios to use on a rotation basis at their school among their art volunteers. No sharing between schools! Building portfolios are to be returned during the first week in June at the council.
Supplemental Portfolios? Additional ‘supplemental’ portfolios are housed at the Plymouth Community Arts Council that can be signed out by art volunteers to supplement the program throughout the year.
Sculpture Units and Culture Boxes? Also available for sign-out are sculpture units and culture boxes. Each classroom should see at least one sculpture unit a year. The culture boxes are to be used as a supplement to the program if the art volunteer chooses but in such cases, both items are due back in two days instead of three days. |
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FACT SHEET |
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AVP Protocols and Procedures for Use and Return of Materials. 2008-09 |
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AVP Volunteers have been serving Plymouth—Canton School children since 1969 |
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ART VOLUNTEER PROGRAM Serving Schools in Plymouth-Canton since 1969 |
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CHILDREN'S AGES--My children are 11 and 8, so I teach the 5th and 2nd grades.
CHILDREN'S SCHOOL(S)--Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish School, Plymouth.
PERSONAL BACKGROUND: I have my Bachelor's Degree in Nursing, however, after a brief time as a Staff Nurse I began a 14 year career as a Flight Attendant. On my days off I also taught classes for the American Red Cross. I then "retired" from flying when our daughter was born to take care of our family. I presently work at our school's lunchroom one to two lunches per week (the schedule is great and I see my children often!), as well as volunteer in other capacities at our school (such as AVP).
YEARS AS AN AVP VOLUNTEER--This is my third year as a volunteer. always felt the AVP Volunteer was a role which I could not fill adequately, but when my daughter's classroom was in jeopardy of not having Art Appreciation due to all of the grade's AVPs being in the other Third Grade room, I thought I'd give it a try. I loved it immediately!
FAVORITE PORTFOLIOS--. My favorite portfolio of the newer set--THE HEIDELBERG PROJECT (It's great that we have this current project here in Detroit, and that it makes such a wonderful statement. Students loved it!) Of the more established portfolios, I have a few--UNCLE ANDY'S-ANDY WARHOL (His art is so much fun for the students!); CAMILLE AND THE SUNFLOWERS and VAN GOGH (the book and artwork are perfect for the younger students); and PRESIDENTS sculpture unit (great information and a crowd pleaser).
FAVORITE STUDENT COMMENT/REACTION/FEEDBACK--My memory is not great for specifics, but recently when covering Frieda Kahlo a Second Grader asked if her characteristic eyebrows were a "unibrow".
WHY YOU BECAME AND/OR LIKE BEING AN "ART MOM"-- I like being an "Art Mom" because it's great to expose the students to an area which they may never see on their own time. Also, my daughter is a student at the Arts Council, and I hope to inspire her and others to continue to develop their skill, and all students to appreciate the talent that brings such beauty into our lives.
SUGGESTIONS FOR WORKING WITH TEACHERS--1) Be considerate of their schedule and time. 2) Communicate with them about your presentation--remind them in advance of your date, your topic, and what supplies the students, and you, will need for the presentation/activity. 3) Send a quick e-mail to thank them for allowing us to use a part of their busy day.
SUGGESTIONS FOR PRESENTING PORTFOLIOS-- Cover a variety of artists in style, period, gender, and nationality. This exposes the students to works of art created by a diverse group, and the different presentations keep the students' interests. I like to start the school year with one of the more lively, fun artists--it gets the students looking forward to your subsequent presentations. I've found that a pop artist (i.e. Warhol, Lichtenstein, etc.) is always a great choice. Also, have a fun activity for them to do, or at least start, to follow-up your presentation. The students get to see in practice what they learned and it inspires them to create. Finally, give the students at least one handout with a few main points about the artist. It's a reminder for them, and the parents can see what was covered. At the end of the year I give them a simple summary of all of the artists/topics covered--with the main characteristic of the style. Hopefully it makes it easier to identify great artists and their works on their summer travels!
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Thank you to our Sponsor: |
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Art Volunteer Spotlight: Vicki Betz March 2010 |
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Art Volunteer Program |
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Art Volunteer Orientation 20100 Wednesday, September 22 (10 am or 7 pm) DETAILS TO FOLLOW SOON |