SPARK! Arts Experiences catalyze creativity and increase access to the arts throughout our community.
Kindergarten: Puppetry
After first introducing audience members to the art of shadow puppetry (including numerous puppets from Southeast Asia), Daniel Barash shares five fast-paced shadow puppetry versions of best-loved folktales from around the world. At the end of the assembly, audience members learn how to create shadow puppets and a shadow screen from scratch and teachers are given free online access to puppet templates and a story script so puppetry can continue in the classroom!
SPONSORED BY MONTANA ARTS COUNCIL
First Grade: Drum Brothers
Drum Brothers visit each first grade class for a hands-on exploration of West African culture through drumming and dance. Drum Brothers use particular West African instruments to provide cultural background knowledge of rhythms and dances. Students are each provided with their own sanitized drum to learn rhythmic patterns, call-and-response singing and drumming, and group rumble (percussion thunderstorm). Students explore movement through stepping, clapping, animal imitation and dance!
SPONSORED BY THE PATTY CHAPMAN FAMILY FOUNDATION
Second Grade: MCT, Inc
Students are transported to another world through a theatrical production. The productions are always interactive, engaging and provide morals and life lessons through the story. Teachers are provided an extension lesson, and an actor Q/A. This year, students will enjoy the beloved, “Rainbow Fish!”
SPONSORED BY MONTANA ARTS COUNCIL
Third Grade: UM Dance
The University of Montana Dance Program creates an interactive and mesmerizing performance for youth. UM Dancers showcase their artistic talents while engaging students by sharing dance vocabulary, theatrical and performance aspects, such as the importance of lighting, costume, and design. This participatory experience takes place on the proscenium Montana Theatre stage on the University of Montana campus.
Fourth Grade: Missoula Symphony Orchestra
The 4th Grade SPARK! Arts Experience with the Missoula Symphony Orchestra is strategically timed to allow fourth graders an opportunity to hear the various instruments, many of which are selected for fifth grade band or orchestra. The Youth Concert is more than a symphony performance; instead, it's a story and an immersive, interactive, and engaging experience designed with young concertgoers in mind!
SPONSORED BY BLACKFOOT COMMUNICATIONS + DENNIS AND PHYLLIS WASHINGTON FOUNDATION
Fifth Grade: Missoula Art Museum
Students receive a guided tour to explore the museum and interact with the artworks. Docents share information about artists and their art-techniques, and ask thought-provoking questions to engage students in understanding artists’ point of view and interpretation of art. Students are then led to create their own art inspired by an artist they saw in the galleries.
Sixth Grade: Big Sky Documentary Film Festival (BSDFF)
BSDFF’s ratings committee screens over 20 films to select age-appropriate films for this arts experience. From there, a focus group of 6th grade teachers select a shorts block that they feel is the most relevant and applicable to their students. In years past, this has included themes of diversity, resiliency, and strength of passions. Classrooms screen the films as part of the film festival and engage in a live zoom Q/A session with filmmakers. A pre-screening packet with media arts and film making lessons are provided, as well as guiding questions to connect the films during and after screening.
SPONSORED BY EDWARD JONES
Seventh Grade: Montana Repertory Theatre
The Montana Repertory Theatre tours a short play and accompanying workshop across Montana. The engaging and curriculum-based plays are performed at each school as a pop-up play. This year's play is titled, “The Castle with a Thousand Lights” by Sam Myers, and tells a story about friendship as two friends navigate their changing lives and relationship through a story they make up and tell to each other.
Eighth Grade: Supaman
Supaman has received multiple awards including a 2017 MTV VMA award for Best Fight Against the System. His Prayer Loop Song and Why music videos have gone viral and have millions of YouTube views. Supaman (aka. Christian Takes The Gun Parrish) is a national performer, Native American dancer and innovative hip hop artist who has dedicated his life to empowering and spreading a message of hope, pride and resilience through his original art form. His ability to motivate, encourage, and inspire through dance and hip hop music keeps him at the forefront among his contemporaries which gives him a platform to educate about Indigenous issues.
SPONSORED BY THE GALLAGHER FOUNDATION + CLEARWATER CREDIT UNION
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