Presented by the 21st Century Education Foundation
Building Hope & Compassion in Public Spaces
Wednesday, February 24, 2016 | 6:30–8:30p.m.
Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts
A N I G H T O F I N S P I R A T I O N
AACPS Speaks is a new and exciting speaker series for Anne Arundel County Public School employees and the community. Each event offers participants a chance to relax, network, and “fill their tanks.” Participants will walk away with creative ideas, solutions to problems, access to resources, and increased hope for humanity.
Anne Arundel County Public Schools has the unique opportunity to touch the lives of thousands of families through our work in our schools. Inspiring one another, reaching out to connect people to people and people to resources are ways to build connections, strengthen relationships, and foster positive interactions between all stakeholders. Anne Arundel County is large, but through networking, connecting powerful people with one another, and focusing on positive ideas for meaningful change, we will get to know our neighbors and improve our lives and the lives of those whom we touch every day.
Special thanks to Nantucket Elementary School for their inspirational Hope Talks, the Leadership Development Institute for its motiving networking opportunities, and the 21st Century Education Foundation for their support in helping make AACPS Speaks! a reality.
If you have an idea for an event or would like to be involved in a future AACPS Speaks! event, send us an email at [email protected]
AACPS Speaks! Planning Committee
Jamie Miller Resource Teacher Advanced Learner Programs Committee Chair
Lauren Grey-Hawkins Business & Communication Specialist Department of Partnerships, Development & Marketing
Kathleen Soares Science Department Chair Crofton Middle
Todd Stanzione School Counselor Nantucket Elementary
Building Hope & Compassion in Public Space
IntroductionJamie Miller, AACPS Speaks! Committee Chair
WelcomeGeorge Arlotto, Ed.D., Superintendent of Schools
Before I Die I want to...TED Talk by Candy Chang
Keynote—Create A Beautiful SpaceRob Levit, Executive Director of Creating Communities
Welcome from Maryland Hall Representative from the Board of Directors
Linnell Bowen, President & CEOSusan Ford, Esq., Chair of the Board
Jeffrey Harris, Vice Chair of the BoardSean Looney, Past Chair of the Board
Networking IntermissionTake Part in Our Public Space
Pick up Refreshments in the GalleriesStop by the “Selfie Station” in the Hallway
Explore MD Hall
Bringing a Public Space to LifeQ&A with a Panel of Community Artists and Educators
Speakers
Keynote SpeakerRob LevitRob Levit is the Executive Director of Creating Communities, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing innovative arts programs for under-served children and adults in Anne Arundel County. An acclaimed edu-cator, creative artist and community leader, he has created and presented the award-winning and innovative “Life-Skills Through the Arts” program to hundreds of students and adults. In 2006, he was a Fellow at UCLA’s Center for Intercultural Performance working and collaborating with artists from Indonesia, Germany, Bali, the Philippines, Malaysia and the United States. Rob has been recognized as the 2013 Maryland Daily Record Innovator of the Year, 2012 Anne Arundel County mentor of the Year, and was recently a Top 5 national finalist for the Energizer Keep Going Hall of Fame for community Service, among other accolades.
www.roblevit.net
TED PresenterCandy ChangThrough the activation of public spaces around the world, Taiwanese-American artist Candy Chang provokes playful and profound visions for how we can con-nect, reflect, and cultivate the health of our communities. For over a decade she has created participatory experiments in the public realm that examine the thresh-olds between isolation and community, the psychology of civic engagement, and how shared places can cultivate intro-spection, intimacy, and kinship. Her participatory public art project Before I Die has been created in over 1,000 cities and over 70 countries, including Iraq, China, Haiti, Kazakhstan, and South Africa. Her work has been exhibited in the Venice Architecture Biennale, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, and the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum to name a few. She is a recipient of the TED Senior Fellowship, Tulane University Urban Innovation Fellowship, and Art Production Fund Artist Residency.
www.candychang.com
Panelists
Ken Skrzesz, ModeratorCoordinator of Fine Arts Maryland State Department of Education
Anthony AlstonExecutive Director Office of Equity & Accelerated Student Achievement AACPS
Pat KlosArts Integration Teacher Specialist AACPS
Rob LevitExecutive Director Creating Communities
Lori SnyderExecutive Director Arts Education in Maryland Schools Alliance
Creator of the AACPS Performing & Visual Arts Magnet Program
Chuck WalshCo-founder and Chair Artwalk
How to Create Your Own Public Space
Public Spaces provide an opportunity to bring students, educators, and the commu-nity together. Want to build a public space in your school community? Here are a few tips to get you started (adapted from www.beforeidie.cc).
1. Choose a Site A good location has regular foot traffic. People have created walls with friends, family, neighbors, classmates, cowork-ers, and organizations who can help provide a space or other resources. If you are building a wall at your school, talk to your principal about locating a bulletin board or other location that would work best.
2. Make Your Wall Paint one or two 2x8” foam boards (based on the size of the space available) on one side with chalk paint and let dry. Using a yard stick, paint white lines horizontally across the board to provide space for the community to write their responses. Mount the boards using 3M wall mounting tape, or other method, as approved by your school. Print the title for the board and mount above the
chalkboard itself. A complete list of materials for creating a temporary public space wall is provided online at www.aacps.org/aacpsSpeaks.
3. Spread the Word Inform the people who live and work around the wall so they know what’s happening. People have used social media, print and online publications, local organizations, mailing lists, and flyers to organize and promote their wall.
4. Maintain Your Wall Check on your wall frequently to take photos and document responses. A few thoughtful responses will set the tone for your wall. Once the wall is full, wash it with water to start fresh again.
Notes, Networking, and Ideas
AcknowledgmentsGeorge Arlotto, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Maureen McMahon, Ph.D. Deputy Superintendent of
Academic & Strategic Initiatives
Annapolis High School
Department of Partnerships, Development, & Marketing
Design & Print Services
Leadership Development Institute
Nantucket Elementary School
21st Century Education Foundation
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