"Arts Wide Open" is the new mantra for Arts @ Large! What began as our Arts Equity initiative, providing multi-disciplinary arts experiences for students in schools with little or no ongoing arts education programs has now become “Arts Wide Open”.   A@L Schools will have opportunities to connect with a group of multi-disciplinary artist educators who have designed individualized, inclusion-focused programs, which will offer a variety of experiences throughout the school year. Arts @ Large has grown into an fully inclusive arts integration model thanks to our partnership with the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities. “Arts Wide Open” is helping teachers and community artist educators create performing, visual, multi-media, and literary arts curriculum that is infused into academic learning in a universal design – projects that provide side-by-side learning for students with a variety of learning and physical abilities.

Specialized Arts Wide Open Projects include:

1. An all-school kick-off assembly from Arts Wide Open artists to introduce their art form and the project concepts to students and teachers.


2. Schools  select two classrooms to work with the artist during eight-session residencies.


3. Students, teachers, and artists participating in the residency activities  collaboratively plan and present a culminating activity for the entire school community. Activities  take the form of a performance, exhibition, or  are linked to an already planned school community event. (Culminating activities may also be connected to other Arts @ Large schools and may be presented or exhibited for the general public.)


4. Teachers  have access to printed and online curriculum guides prepared by the artist and Arts @ Large. Curriculum guides  feature interactive activities and ideas adaptable for students of ALL learning abilities.