For 55 years, the Art Docents Program’s mission has been to spark an early awareness of art in children through both appreciation and participation. Last year was its strongest yet. Docents taught 740 lessons across 54 offerings in TK–6th grade, and every teacher in the district ordered lessons (a 98% order rate). Two new second-grade lessons, Printing Landscapes and Wire Trees, connected art to science and math. The district-wide art showcase drew 176 student artists.
This year, the program is growing. With 80 returning docents and 16 new trainees, it offers 58 unique lessons for the district's 109 elementary classrooms, up to 804 lessons in all. New this year:
- New lessons: Hands-on "Playing with Line" and "Playing with Color" stations for TK, a silk screen printing lesson for 4th grade, and three lessons moved up to kindergarten (Birds of Color, Line Bots, Pattern Portraits). Kindergarten now has its full eight lessons.
- A new scheduling app: Teachers can browse lessons and book them in real time.
- A continuing education grant: Docents can apply to attend an art seminar, workshop, or class, then share what they learn with the whole group.
This year's theme, You Are All Artists, is about helping students see that their creations matter. As the docents reminded the Board, art isn't about getting the right answer. It's about curiosity, exploration, and making something your own.
Save the date: The District Art Showcase is Wednesday, November 18, 5:00–7:00 p.m. at Covington. Come celebrate our young artists.
