"By combining academics with the arts, we are opening new worlds for our students."

- Aixa DeJesus, Classroom Teacher
 

See Selected Program Descriptions

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Project U.N.I.Q.U.E. develops, implements, and evaluates in-depth, public-school programs designed around various arts concepts, curricular themes and learning skills with the visual, performing, and literary arts.  Teams of artists from different disciplines work collaboratively with cultural institutions, educators, and parents to develop programs that address specific needs and interests of the student population, which ranges from pre-kindergarten to senior high school.  These programs generally include:  short to long-term residencies; field trips to cultural institutions; performances by local and out-of-town artists; and professional development workshops.  Examples of programs over the years have:
 

• introduced students to the concepts, processes, and techniques of dance, music, theatre, literary arts and visual arts.
   

• improved student performance in skills related to English Language Arts (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) through sound/music, visual arts, and museum experiences.
   

• promoted intercultural understanding and appreciation of students from different backgrounds through dance, music, theatre, visual arts, and museum experiences.
   

• brought students together from different school districts to explore personal and cultural identities through the arts.
   

• explored our relationship to our physical, emotional, and cultural environments through diverse forms of literary expression.
   

• integrated orchestral music with the instructional program for elementary students.
   

• investigated social studies and science concepts through dance and media teams of artists.
   

• linked schools with community service agencies through the arts.

Project U.N.I.Q.U.E. is always evolving and investigating innovative approaches to teaching and learning which leads to the ongoing development of new programs.

Benefits:

Students build an understanding and appreciation of the arts as they learn about a variety of performing, literary, and visual art forms; develop perceptual and problem-solving skills while their creativity and imagination are challenged; acquire learning skills related to their instructional programs, gain insight to vocational and avocational opportunities in the arts; grow in self-confidence as they explore methods of self-expression and communication. 

Educators gain information about community resources and innovative instructional approaches which integrate the arts into the general educational program; observe their students in different modes of learning; join with their colleagues in investigating innovative strategies related to teaching and learning.

Parents take an active role in planning and experiencing arts activities with their children.

Artists share their talent and creativity with young people of all ages and abilities, an interaction that often inspires new works of art; join with educators in identifying new ways to integrate experiences in their arts disciplines with standard-based student outcomes.

 

Elementary students exploring dance of other cultures with teaching artist, Elizabeth Clark.