Schools are invited to participate in the continuation of a dance education program in Western Montana schools. We are expanding the program for 2010-2011, inviting new schools to apply.
Based on an artist residency model that is tailored to each school, professional dance educators visit K-12 classrooms and use dance as an interdisciplinary tool to enhance existing educational standards. We pair qualified dance educators with classroom teachers to reinforce and support student learning across the curriculum.
MoDE enlivens classrooms as dance educators use fun, kinesthetic approaches to meet academic goals. Teachers report that the movement classes often appeal to students struggling to learn through traditional approaches. Our aim is to use dance/creative movement as an educational tool to contribute to students’ academic achievement, artistic development and quality of life.
How it’s been working . . .
- Elementary (K-5)— Dance educators use creative movement to explore and enhance curricular themes selected by classroom teachers —including math, science, communication arts and social studies. Dance educators travel to individual classrooms where the desks are pushed aside and shoes removed. 2008-2010 schools have contributed $1,500-3,000.
- Middle Schools (6-8)—Dance educators teach jazz dance, hip hop, or salsa during physical education classes in the gym. Schools have contributed between $350-$3,000.
- High Schools (9-12)—Dance educators teach movement for the stage and choreography in Drama classes on the theatre stage. Schools have contributed between $750-$3,000.
September 2010-June 2011
- A classroom schedule is developed in September.
- Dance educators visit schools.
- Planning meetings occur between classroom teachers and dance educators throughout the residency.
- Mentor/Evaluators visit to evaluate the project and offer assistance.
- Teachers, dance educators and mentor evaluate MoDE.
How MoDE is Funded
MoDE is funded in part by the schools and in part by The CoMotion Dance Project. We attempt to match the schools’ contribution 1:1. Our match comes from grants.
We are Awaiting Notification on Four Grants.
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NEA Learning through the Arts for Children and Youth grant. This is a two-year grant (2010-2012). We requested $112,000. Notification is in late April, 2010.
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Arts in Education Model Dissemination Grant. This is a four-year federal grant that will primarily target Title One Schools, but will carry over to participating MoDE schools. We requested $1.2 million. Notification in July 2010.
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Montana Arts Council Long-term Residency grant. This is a one-year grant for 2010-1011. Notification is in July. We will request approximately $12,000.
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PPL Montana Foundation grant. We applied for $20,000 and expect to hear anytime.
How the Schools Contribute
Currently schools are funding MoDE through PTA, donations, and other means. All school funds support dance educators’ salaries. The CoMotion Dance Project aims to contribute a full match of the schools’ fees if possible, or a half match, as funding permits.
Sample MoDE Residencies Based on Funding
2010-2011 school year
Each school’s contribution varies depending on the desired program.
CoMotion aims to provide a full match of the schools’ fees if possible, or a half match, depending on our grant funding.
__Option 1: School commits $1,500
Full match: CoMotion commits $1,500 for a $3,000 project
Provides 20 full days of instruction, (or 40 half-days)
Arranged according to school needs: i.e. 4 classes/day, once a week for 20 weeks; or 4 classes/day, 5 days a week for 4 weeks.
Half match: CoMotion commits $750 for a $2,250 project
Provides 15 full days of instruction, (or 30 half days)
__Option 2: School commits $3,000
Full match: CoMotion commits $3,000 for a $6,000 project
Provides 40 full days of instruction (or 80 half days)
Arranged according to school needs: i.e. 5 days/week for 8 weeks, or 2 days/week for 20 weeks.
Half match: CoMotion commits $1,500 for a $4,500 project
Provides 30 full days of instruction, (or 60 half days)
__Option 3: School commits $4,500
Full match CoMotion commits $4,500 for a $9,000 project
Provides 60 full days of instruction (or 120 half days)
Arranged according to school needs: i.e. 5 days/week for 12 weeks, or 2 days/week for 30 weeks.
Half match CoMotion commits $2,250 for a $6,750 project
Provides 45 full days of instruction, (or 90 half days)
*Scheduling: A full day is four classes. A half- day is two classes.
Dancers are paid $37.50/session or $150/day or $750/week (MAC rate).
For more information or to apply, please contact us.
