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Arts for Learning Projects in Virginia

These successful programs have motivated students and energized teachers across the State of Virginia.

A4L Young Authors Project Richmond

Young Audiences partnered with Richmond Public Schools to train all 28 4th and 5th grade teachers in 5 different elementary schools. We also trained the Title I Reading specialists, Art teachers and Exceptional Education teachers from each of the 5 schools. The classroom teachers that were trained delivered 18 hours of classroom implementation to over 550 students for a total of 504 unit hours.

YAV also provided a 5-session residency led by YAV teaching artist Bentley Boyd to each of the 5 participating schools. These 5 residencies each served 25 students for 25 hours of in depth work with the art form of the graphic novel. Funding for this project was provided by the George J. and Effie L. Seay Foundation and the Emily S. and Coleman A. Hunter Trust. These generous grants also allowed YAV to hold a celebratory culminating event at the Main Branch of the Richmond Public Library where students, parents, teachers and local educational leaders enjoyed presentations honoring the accomplishments of the students that were a part of the Young Authors Project: Richmond. Thanks to additional funding from the Robins Foundation we will be doing the project again this fall at 5 more Richmond Public Schools.

A4L Young Authors Project Roanoke

Over 400 3rd through 5th grade students from six Roanoke City Public Schools wrote and illustrated their own books in the visual art form of the graphic novel as part of the Young Author’s Program. Thirteen teachers implemented in the fall and spring in 21 classrooms and over 40 teachers, specialists and administrators participated in the professional development workshops. Each teacher delivered 22 unit hours to their students for a total of462 unit hours. This project was also part of a national testing initiative to further validate the efficacy of the A4L program.

An additional part of the Young Author’s Program was the opportunity for 100 students to participate in ten artist residencies all led by YAV visual artist Katherine Devine. Students’ books along with their residency storyboards were displayed at Center in the Square, 1st Floor Gallery for the entire month of May including an opening event, the Art by Night Gallery Walk and special lunch viewings. The Young Author’s Program was made possible by the generous support from the Edgar A. Thurman Charitable Foundation for Children, City of Roanoke and Appalachian Power. This program will continue next year expanding to additional Roanoke City Public Schools.