The Arts in Education Committee at Zilker Elementary is made up of parent volunteers and the special area teachers who work together to enrich the lives of Zilker students.
Together they are dedicated to bringing a variety of arts programming to our school! In past years, the Arts in Education Committee has created many wonderful beautification projects on our campus, including creating a music themed mosaic, painting portable buildings, building concrete planters, wraparound tree benches, the guitar project in the 5th grade hallway, the “bat cave” project near the library and the mosaic benches & sunshade at the 3rd grade portables.
“Arts Education is more than drawing a picture or writing a song or creating the set for a scene in a play. Engaging in the arts has a tremendous impact on the developmental growth of every child and has proven to help level the “learning field” across socio-economic boundaries by strengthening critical-thinking, cognitive and creative skills. Texas PTA supports arts education as a key element in education. Through the arts, students nurture important values including team-building skills, respecting alternative viewpoints, and appreciating and being aware of different cultures and traditions.” ~ Courtesy of the Texas PTA
The Zilker Elementary PTA Arts in Education Committee supports these ideals by arranging for inspiring performances and events for all grade levels several times per year. This assists teachers in incorporating the arts in curriculum and promotes the arts in each activity supported by the PTA.
Why is arts education so important?
“Arts education not only cultivates imagination, self-expression, and creativity, but also plays a vital role in the development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills. It promotes visual literacy, which enables students to analyze and interpret the meaning of complex visual imagery that permeates the media and popular culture.” ~ Courtesy of the National PTA
Past Projects
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Cartooning Workshops
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Murals for Portables
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Visits to Ballet Austin’s “The Nutcracker”
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Festival of Lights Holiday Sing- Along
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Stop Motion Animation Workshops
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Visits to The Austin Symphony Orchestra
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Mosaics
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Music, Art and dance instruction and performances
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Visits by musicians and dancers
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Assisting the Music and Art teacher with performances and exhibits
How Parents Can Help
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Volunteer!
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Be the Arts in Ed liaison for your student’s grade on the Arts in Ed Committee
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Come to as many monthly committee meetings as possible to help prepare for upcoming events or activities (this is crucial in the Fall and Winter!)
…OR pick your favorite event and help with that one! -
Help set-up and/or clean-up for events (decorate, set up tables/chairs, hang posters, etc)
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Brainstorm! Make current events even better and come up with great ideas for next year
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BONUS: You get to work with some super-amazing teachers on some super-amazing events and projects that make our school so Zilker-y!
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DOUBLE BONUS: Make your Zilker student beam with pride, knowing YOU helped make something exciting happen for the WHOLE school!
How Students Can Help
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Get involved in Zilker Arts in Education events:
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Volunteer to help at events
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Engage in the performances
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Help hang posters
Arts in Education Committee Chair
Sarah Simon
zilkerartsined@gmail.com
Let us know your suggestions for future performances or project