Lots of exciting things are taking place this month with The Creative Economy grant project. Teachers are experimenting with career minded lessons presented to our fine arts students in the middle and high schools. Video training and production, music arranging, composing, graphic arts are among the featured lessons so far. Training for teachers is on-going since the new technology is a challenge that requires mastery for successful teaching in the areas of career exploration. The teachers involved in this project attended a training session led by a representative from Apple on Jan. 31^st on the subject “Podcasting”. Our plan is to learn this process to provide more training for students interested in communications and technology. Teachers will continue training on Feb. 13^th and 21^st to make sure all teachers actually have a personal project to present to students and other teachers. All lessons are shared among teachers via internet.

Students at Southside Middle are making videos and are scheduled to visit the FMU television lab. Two student groups will visit the Six plus Four recording studio next month to see first hand what the business end of the recording industry entails. Music students and Sneed and Southside Middle have been introduced to lessons including how to make video production with soundtracks (Sneed music) and composing/arranging (Southside).

Teacher have begun the process of researching what kinds of software will help actually train students to be able to make choices as to job interests for their future. Some of the software already in place include: Adobe Photoshop, Logic Express, and Final Cut. The standard Apple software has been fun and educational including the Garage Band and standard Apple video software. On order for our dance teacher is “Lifeforms” which will aid students in learning how to look at choreography (dances) on the computer screen before actually learning the dance. 21^st century applications for skills that will aid in future careers is what we strive to present.

In the coming month the project director, Laura Greenway will visit all schools to see first hand what kinds of audio visual technology equipment is in place and being used for communications learning. In March our goal is to begin the process of making DVD recordings of career talks by local success stories in the areas of Fine Arts, Audio/visual technology, and Communications to be shown in FD1 classrooms. Where possible, Artist in Residence visits will be funded by the SC Arts Commission with the specific purpose of introducing additional career information and training in schools that are participating in this project.

The project is on track and has taken on a life of its own. It has been noticed by the grant director that other teachers not involved in the project have also embraced the area of Fine Arts, Audio/Visual Technology and Communications career training and exploration. Additional funding for this project has been provided by other grants written by Laura Greenway from Pee Dee Federal Credit Union (So you want to be rich!) and the South Carolina Arts Commission for artist residency visits.

Florence School District One

The Creative Economy: A choice for arts centered education in FD1