COURSE 1: PORTFOLIO DEVELOPMENT

Portfolio Development expands the academic opportunities of 7th and 8th graders by guiding them through the preparation of individual portfolios for the entrance examinations to specialized high schools, including The High School of Art and Design, Fashion Industries, LaGuardia, and Washington Irving Art House. Artist educators also provide information sessions and brochures for parents to inform them of the academic rigor and opportunities that these schools provide.

Portfolio Development specifically addresses the New York City Benchmarks for drawing, painting, collage, and two-dimensional design The course begins with a series of drawing sessions that helps students develop an increased awareness of the world around them and skills associated with close observation and sustained investigation. In this section they also learn to utilize the principals of art through classical studies of volume, contour, and light. The second half of the course focuses on the use of their newly developed drawing skills to produce paintings, collages, and designs revealing their individual visions and ideas.

COURSE 2: ARTISTS IN/ED SPACE

Artist in/ed Space provides practicing contemporary artists with the opportunity to undertake a collaborative residency in one of Artists Space’s partner schools. The course’s emphasis is process-based, focused on establishing dialogue between the artists and the students and de-mystifying the creative process. The final result of the collaboration is a large-scale artwork made jointly with the students. At the heart of Artists in/ed Space residencies is the incorporation of new media and technology into creative projects. The program features teacher and student participation in every stage and fosters creativity and collaboration, as well as academic skills and confidence building.

In 2004-05, photographer Joy Episalla used her own work to introduce 8th grade students at P.S. 140 to photographic portraiture, culminating in the large-scale photographic installation now permanently on display in their newly renovated school library. In 2005-06, an 8th grade class is working directly with a contemporary artist to photograph their school, exploring ways in which their feelings and thoughts about their school environment can be communicated through the use of a camera.

COURSE 3: ART & LITERACY: BOOKMAKING

Art & Literacy: Bookmaking provides both special education and mainstream students in grades 6-8 with the resources and instruction to construct various books structures from scratch, as well as creating the visual images and text that go into the books. This course enhances the students’ appreciation of artist books and writing while piquing their interest in and knowledge of the books they see in the world. Book project vary and have included autobiographical books with photographs and or illustrations, snake origami books with poetry, and pop out books with poetic fables.

COURSE 4: THREADS OF HISTORY: CURRICULUM QUILTS & RAISE THE FLAG

Curriculum Quilts and Raise the Flag aim to expand 6-8th grade students' knowledge of their individual histories and the composition of their communities, and provide them with the skills to communicate, record, and publicly exhibit their new discoveries though the collaborative creation of banners, flags, and quilts. These courses build self-esteem skills in high-risk, special education students. Taught in a combination of English and Spanish as appropriate, students learn drawing and painting techniques before collaborating on a very large group project.