Saint Paul Paul Public Schools' (SPPS) Center for Professional Development produces and funds its Arts for All Conference now in its 9th annual year. In collaboration, East Side Arts Council co-plans, co-organizes and co-facilitates the event. Additional support is provided by Ordway Center for the Performing Arts and Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) through a three-way partnership with the J.F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Partners in Education Program. The Perpich Center for Arts Education also contributes by facilitating the presenters' workshop prior to the conference.

Teachers, administrators, educators, parents, staff and artists from across the region are encouraged to participate in this day-long conference Through a keynote address and interactive workshops, participants will exchange ideas about best practices in and through the arts, network with other teachers and community members in the arts and in other careers, renew their creative spark and enjoy a day of professionalism and learning that transfers to increasing student achievement and engagement in the learning processes.

This year's focus will be cultural and historical arts and an arts-centered approach to diversity education. Specific sessions will be designed to provide information and resources for the new MN State Academic Standard benchmark specific to learning about 'contributions of Minnesota American Indian tribes and communities.'

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Description:
The ultimate goal of the conference is to provide participants with visual and performing arts knowledge, skills, tools and the beliefs necessary to create high levels of student learning and engagement, improve instructional quality and encourage personal artistic growth.

The conference provides approximately 25 inspiring sessions which assist over 200 participants in learning in the arts, through arts integration and about the arts.

Content Focus:
Visual and Media Arts, Music and Music Technology, Theater, Dance, Minnesota American Indian Tribes and Communities, world arts, arts integration and cultural and historical arts. L

District Goals:
Sessions will support SPPS district goals of ensuring high academic achievement, raising expectations for accountability, accelerating the path to excellence, strengthening relationships with community and families and district strategy and action step "C8" which strives to expand and integrate visual and media arts, music, theatre, dance and cultural arts experiences for all students.

Participants will take active roles as learners to:

engage in lively and in-depth explorations of music, dance, theatre, visual, media, literary cultural and integrated arts;
explore the interrelationship between art forms and curriculum;
expand knowledge of artistic and arts education standards, practices, strategies, issues, resources and policies to ensure student learning;
discover, create, make, contribute, observe, analyze, connect, converse, respond, revise, improve, reflect, apply, learn, celebrate and renew.

Highlights:
Spirited and interactive sessions in the arts. Inspiring keynote speaker and workshop leaders. Fabulous door prizes from businesses, vendors and local arts organizations. Vendors of arts education and art-making materials, resources and services. Delicious continental breakfast and lunch (food is sponsored by Ordway Center and private funds). Clock-hours and in-service credits.

Registration 2010:
There is no cost to attend for SPPS staff, SPPS Site Council or School Support Organization chairs, leaders and members (PTA, PTO etc). Minneapolis Public School (MPS) staff are also invited to attend at no cost (fee paid by MPS). Non-SPPS affiliated are invited to attend for a nominal fee of $20. Please check back soon for registration process and specifics.