ArtsSmarts makes the grade Education/Art ASHLEY FITZPATRICK The Telegram

Student prints, photography and photos of performance classes are displayed on the school's "Motif-vation" wall. - Photo by Ashley Fitzpatrick/The Telegram

Due to the success of the ArtsSmarts classes at Larkhall Academy, Minister of Education Darin King went to the school Wednesday to announce the government has set aside an additional $50,000 in funding for ArtsSmarts classes in the 2009-2010 school year.

King said, including ArtsSmarts, a total of $100,000 in additional funding (making $320,000 in total funding for the year) will be provided to three arts in education programs: ArtsSmarts, the Visiting Artists Program and the School Touring Program. The programs are part of the provincial Cultural Connections plan.

The three programs provide materials and payments required to bring professional local artists and their artforms into the classroom.

For example, after applying for funding through the provincial ArtsSmarts program last school year, the principal at Larkhall Academy, Ron Parrott, received $6,000.

Adding $2,000 from the school budget, there was enough money to have about half of his students take part in one of the multiple special classes arranged by the school with community artists.

The results are seen on the "Motif-vation" wall across from the principal's office.

On the wall are framed pictures from and products of: "Photography and composition: Mrs. Murphy's Grade 3 class and artist Sheilagh O'Leary," "Irish dance: Mr. Shoemaker's Grade 6 class and Shawn Silver," or "Song Writing: Mr. Barker's Grade 6 class and artist Fergus O'Byrne," and others, covering topics such as theatre and printmaking.

The pictures of Grade 6 students trying Irish dance with professional dancer and dance teacher Shawn Silver are a particular favourite of Parrott's.

With ArtsSmarts lessons, Parrott said, "(the students) will do things you normally wouldn't see them do." He said the work builds confidence and raises awareness of specific art forms.

The money provided by the province for ArtsSmarts and the other two programs is divided and awarded by the Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council.

This school year, said a council representative, 42 applications were made by schools like Larkhall to the ArtsSmarts program alone. With the additional funding from the province, 36 of those applications will be able to receive funding, up from 26 funded last year.

This year, Grade 2 students at Larkhall are learning math through hip hop dancing.

"I understand that these students are using hip hop to explore mathematical patterns in a man-made world," said King, who called the idea a "great idea" for dealing with math concepts and to "encourage a positive attitude towards math."

Students performed for King, arts council representatives, school board representatives and parents Wednesday.

Leeann Harry's daughter Olivia was one of the performers. "She's been excited since Day 1," her mother said following the dance.

"As long as she's happy, I'm happy," she said.

afitzpatrick@thetelegram.com