Technical Assistance Program (TAP)

Funding Recipients
Sept. 2006 - July 2007

AIE Institute of Western New York
Margaret Kaiser, Executive Director
355 Harlem Road
West Seneca, Erie Co., 14224
TAP Category: Professional Development
Abstract: Funds support the first three-hour workshop in a professional development series for teaching artists focused on deepening the practice of active inquiry in arts-centered classroom encounters, to help address the challenge of providing ongoing PD.

AIE Institute/CNY Community Arts Council
Lesley Tillotson, Director of Education
261 Genesee Street
Utica,  Oneida Co.,  13501
TAP Category: Professional Development
Abstract: To meet an identified need for professional development for both classroom teachers and teaching artists, we will develop and implement two reciprocal PD workshops, one in arts integration for pre-school teachers and one in adaptability methods for teaching artists.

Arlington Central School District
Susan Lesser, District AIE Coordinator
696 Dutchess Turnpike
Poughkeepsie, Dutchess Co., 12603
TAP Category: Professional Development
Abstract: A three-hour AIE professional development course, “Leap into Writing: Dance & Literacy,” models how to align dance residencies and workshops to specific ELA standards. Given the district’s current freeze on travel for PD, this course addresses the need to import experiences for teachers.

Arlington Central School District
Susan Lesser, District AIE Coordinator
696 Dutchess Turnpike
Poughkeepsie, Dutchess Co., 12603
TAP Program: TAP Grant
TAP Category: Professional Development
Abstract: Philip Alexander of Empire State Partnerships facilitates a 3-hour professional development course, guiding elementary classroom teachers and teaching artists as they apply Understanding by Design to AIE residency planning. Given the district's current freeze on travel for PD, this course brings a CommonGround 2007 workshop to teachers who were unable to attend CG.

Brooklyn Arts Exchange
Marya Warshaw, Executive Director
421 Fifth Ave.
Brooklyn, Kings Co. 11215
TAP Category: Evaluation
Abstract: Our goal is to develop an evaluation process, followed by a usable document, that is of equal caliber to our planning and program implementation. By developing a thorough and user-friendly evaluation tool that can be shared by all – cultural organizations, schools, teaching artists, students, and parents – we will continue building a shared commitment by all stakeholders in our AIE partnerships.  

Buffalo and Brandy
Mary-Ann Ferree, Teaching Artist/Consultant
5677 S. Transit Rd. #287
Lockport, Niagara Co., 14094
TAP Program: TAP Grant
TAP Category: Professional Development
Abstract: In a July arts immersion workshop, nine special education teachers from the Lockport City School District use the arts of music and theater to better understand how these art forms can reach, motivate and enhance the students’ achievement. The funds from this grant help cover the cost of the printed materials for the teachers, art supplies needed for the workshop, fees and travel expenses for the consultants, and other workshop expenses.

Capitol Culture: Albany Symphony Orchestra; Albany Institute of History & Art; Capital Repertory Theatre
Beth Hickox, Education Coordinator, Albany Symphony Orchestra
19 Clinton Ave.
Albany, Albany Co., 12207
TAP Category: Professional Development
Abstract: “Capitol Culture” is a new collaborative effort, of which on of the purposes is to create collaborative educational opportunities. A keynote performance and workshop at Arts Professional Development Day will link three arts disciplines together and with other academic areas, and help teachers develop plans for their respective curricula.

Children’s Media Project
Maria Merewski, Executive Director
Lady Washington Fire House
20 Academy St.
Poughkeepsie, Dutchess Co., 12601
TAP Category: TAP Services
Abstract: A Strategic Foundation Building Retreat will enable the artists, educators and administrators from the Middletown SC, Children’s Media Project, and independent artists to build and strengthen as a team.  They will design and implement a media arts program that will also incorporate language arts, theater arts, and dance into  3rd. 4th, and 5th grade curricula, including a multi-year curriculum and assessment tools.

Curtis High School
Jennifer Korten, Visual Arts Coordinator
105 Hamilton Ave
Staten Island, Richmond Co., 10310
TAP Program: TAP Services: Strategic Foundation Building Retreat
TAP Category: Assessment
Abstract: As a school community, we need to develop a clear vision of what we want in the arts. This retreat will help us understand our strengths, weaknesses, and areas of need. We hope to develop a plan for the future that takes the wonderful programs we offer at Curtis High School and expands and enhances them by partnering with a well matched arts organization.

Elders Share the Arts
Carolyn Zablotny, Executive Director
138 So. Oxford St.
Brooklyn, Kings Co., 11217
TAP Program: TAP Services: Strategic Foundation Building Retreat
TAP Category : Planning and Capacity Building
Abstract: Funds are used to hire a consultant to facilitate a daylong retreat for all partners to formulate a long term vision and plan for an oral history/arts program that will address how to expand an existing small program at Millenium Arts Academy into the entire school.

P.A.S.E.: Partnership After School Education
Amina Heckstall, Performing and Cultural Arts Specialist
170-32 130th Ave.
Jamaica, Queens Co., 11434
TAP Program: TAP Scholarship
TAP Category: Curriculum Design
Abstract: TAP funds are used to cover tuition at a Jeh Kulu Dance And Drum Theater workshop focusing on the life of an African child and traditional African dance, drum, song, and folkloric history. These lessons will be used to teach urban children in underserved communities about their culture in Africa and their connection to children all over the world, and to implement a Rites of Passage component to a culminating event, using traditions based on West African culture.

Rotunda Gallery
Hawley Hussey, Education Director
33 Clinton St.
Brooklyn, Kings Co. 11201
TAP Category: Sustainability
Abstract: Funding underwrites the direct cost of producing a short video documenting our ESP program work at I.S. 71 during the 2006-07 school year. The video will cover student residencies, steering committee retreats, student exhibition openings, professional development for teachers, and docent training between students at I.S. 49 and I.S. 71.

Syracuse Symphony Orchestra
Travis Newton, Education and Outreach Manager
411 Montgomery St.
Syracuse, Onondaga Co., 12302
TAP Program: TAP Grant
TAP Category: Assessment and Evaluation
Abstract: The SSO aims to strengthen partnerships with Syracuse-area educators by hosting facilitated discussions focusing on our full-orchestra Education Concert series. Specifically, our goal is to assess the needs of the classroom teacher and shape our programs to better serve them. There will be pre- and post-concert workshops framed around two concerts on our Education Series (one concert focused on grades 4 - 8, the other Pre-K - 3); panel members will be chosen who can attend both the concert and the surrounding workshops.