ArtsWA is a new affiliate of Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning Through the Arts, a nationally recognized leader in early childhood arts-based learning. Washington State Wolf Trap uses arts integration to create joyful, active learning experiences that engage children in ways that can increase academic and social emotional development for all kinds of learners.
Launching in the 2023-24 academic year, Washington State Wolf Trap programing will include multi-week classroom residencies in preschool classrooms and professional development workshops for early childhood educators.
Each performing arts discipline aligns with skills and understanding that children need.
- Music builds memory and fluency with language and movement.
- Dance improves movement abilities and control.
- Theatre expands imagination and communication.
- Puppetry encourages social interactions and self-confidence.
- Storytelling fosters emerging literacy that prepare students for reading.
Performing Arts Preschool Residencies
During a classroom residency, a Washington State Wolf Trap Teaching Artist partners with an early childhood educator to design performing arts strategies that meet the instructional goals and objectives of the teacher and the classroom curriculum. Within this collaboration, early childhood educators gain an understanding of the important connection between the performing arts and a child’s learning process.
Residencies take place over 7-weeks, which include observation, collaborative planning meetings, and in-class sessions. After the completion of the classroom residency, the teacher has acquired the skills necessary to embed arts strategies within daily practices and apply them in current and future classes to further the success of children.
The rollout of the residencies will focus on partnering with our state’s Educational Service Districts (ESDs). We will launch the program in ESD 123 and will branch out to surrounding communities in eastern and central Washington in successive academic years. This ESD-focused scaling up will allow us to develop strong partnerships, support service district needs, and reflect regional-level teaching artist talent.
Washington State Wolf Trap Teaching Artists
ArtsWA seeks artists from diverse backgrounds experienced in theatre, music, puppetry, dance/movement, and storytelling for school-based residencies. Are you or someone you know passionate about sharing innovative strategies to foster integrated arts education for young children? Are you based in the Eastern or Central regions of Washington State?
Application window open November 7, 2023 – November 27, 2023.
Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning Through the Arts is a program of Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts.
Want To Learn More?
For more information contact Alexis Sarah, Washington State Wolf Trap Affiliate Director, at wolftrap@arts.wa.gov or 360.228.6359.
Special thanks to the Laird Norton Family Foundation for their support of ArtsWA’s early learning programs and dedication to increasing the growth of arts integration in public education.