We are now accepting applications from American teachers who wish to take part in the Civic Engagement Workshop–Jordan. The CEW will be held December 11-20, 2007, in Amman.
Applications should be submitted as soon as possible, preferably before the end of October.
To learn more about the program, download the summary fact sheet: CEW Fact Sheet. You can also read more about last year’s program in Morocco at www.ume.org/cew.
Download the application here: CEWApplication_USA. Once complete, save the file and email it to the cew2007 [at] ume.org. Instructions are provided in the file. Any questions can be addressed to the same address, or call us at 617-876-6361.
Filed under: Collaborative Art Initiative
During last year’s Teacher Education Institute, participants took part in the creation of a collaborative sculpture facilitated by Professor Mark Cooper. Together, the group produced an inspiring piece of artwork entitled “Where We Are From.” Here’s a picture:
The sculpture has been on display at the Copley Plaza Hotel in Boston and 511 Gallery in New York. Needless to say, the project was a real success, and this year’s TEI participants can look forward to creating an artwork of their own.
Drawing from this positive experience, UME recently developed the idea of the Collaborative Art Initiative (CAI) follow-on program. The project will connect UME Faculty with teachers and students in the Middle East and North Africa to collaboratively design public art. We want to help young people get involved in a big way in shaping the aesthetics and news of their local communities, and art is one way to go about it.
A substantial grant has been awarded towards the implementation of the CAI, although more is needed. This is an exciting project that is sure to capture the imagination. If you want to get involved in fundraising or planning, please feel free to contact us.
Filed under: Collaborative Art Initiative
The Boston Globe newspaper recently published an article about the value of art education. It argues that art education is valuable for teaching skills not usually tested on standardized tests:
“Such skills include visual-spatial abilities, reflection, self-criticism, and the willingness to experiment and learn from mistakes. All are important to numerous careers, but are widely ignored by today’s standardized tests.”
The article continues,
“…we were particularly struck by the potentially broad value of four other kinds of thinking being taught in the art classes we documented: observing, envisioning, innovating through exploration, and reflective self-evaluation.”
The University of the Middle East Project has begun to incorporate art into the curriculum of the Teacher Education Institute through the classes taught by Professor Mark Cooper. UME will also implement a follow-on program in Boston, Morocco, and Lebanon in late 2008-2009 on using art: the Collaborative Art Initiative.
