Kimberly Abler, Founder and Co-Director ablerka@mail.milwaukee.k12.wi.us
Teri Sullivan, Founder and Co-Director teri@artsatlargeinc.org
	Ryan Hurley, Program Coordinator ryan@artsatlargeinc.org
Darrell Garrett, Communications Assistant darrell@artsatlargeinc.org
	Linda D'Acquisto, District and Community Partnership Liaison linda@artsatlargeinc.org
Kai Simone, Special Projects Coordinator kai@artsatlargeinc.org

Letter from the Co-Directors

Beginnings. A fresh start. Innovative ideas. That is how we feel as each new school year kicks-off.

And, this year is particularly special. Arts @ Large is embarking on our 10th school year of service for Wisconsin students. It seems only yesterday that we began connecting the arts community to a mere four Milwaukee Public Schools. This year we will breathe life into learning in twenty-four MPS schools and two in the Eau Claire Area School District.

What a ride this has been!

Reflecting on the year past gives us new insight into how we can best craft our program to serve students, teachers and the artist community as we begin this next decade. Perhaps one of the most vivid experiences we had was opening the eyes of students from Emerson Elementary School into the multifaceted nature of how our State government serves the people of Wisconsin.
Two hundred and twenty-eight students and forty teachers from Emerson participated in a one day abstract art experience with artist Tom Kiebzak and MPS Adaptive Art Specialist Susan Loesl. Throughout the day, each student contributed their artistic abilities to the creation of eight 6’ x 6’ abstract art canvases. Students of all abilities worked together to design “Pollock-like” canvases that were displayed at the Betty Brinn Children’s Museum. Their trip to the State Capitol in March 2010 gave students the opportunity to share their amazing experience to an audience of dignitaries, educators and artists during the annual State Arts Day.

Following a visit to the Congressional chambers, the Governor’s board room and a tour of the State Capitol, Lieutenant Governor Barbara Lawton welcomed the 4th graders into her private office where she chatted with the young people about the importance of equity in arts education for all Wisconsin students. One young aspiring reporter held the microphone for the Lt. Governor as she asked, “Why are the arts important for schools?” Lt. Governor Lawton replied simply, “I think arts are as important as learning to read, and learning to do your math, and understanding history. The arts are as important as every one of them, and in fact the arts need to connect to your study in all of those ways. The arts help you see things you might not otherwise see and they help you think of things in a creative way.”

We agree with the Lt. Governor. That’s why we continue to advocate for equity for ALL students. Every child deserves the opportunity to discover their innate talents and grow to be productive members of our creative economy.

Here’s to the next ten years of building creative individuals who value diversity and the unique contributions each of us make to a world where the arts weave through every facet of society.

As the license plate states on our new Arts @ Large cargo van, ART4ALL.

- Kim Abler & Teri Sullivan, Founders and Co-Directors