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“Students who study art are 4 times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement and 3 times more likely to be awarded for school attendance.” (11 Facts About Arts in Education, para. 1) Participating in arts programs fosters a spirit of creativity and independence within students that carries through to other skills, such as reading and math (11 Facts About Arts in Education, para. 10). With such influential statistics it is a wonder, that between 2001 and 2011, state arts agencies lost 39% of their appropriated funds which included a decrease in creative programs within the public school systems. (Barsdate, para. 6) This lack of funding presents a problem to schools and their students at a time when increased opportunities are available to artists. According to statistics presented by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2012; Graphic Design positions totaled 259,500, Interior Designers totaled 54,900, and Photographers totaled 136,300. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) Multimedia Artists and Animators, as well as Craft and Fine Artists, also feature positions in the 50,000 plus range. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) With so many jobs available to artists why do the arts receive so little attention?
Project Statement
The decrease of art programs in the public education system requires alternative avenues of education to continue student’s growth in the arts. The purpose of this project is:
To provide a creative educational environment that enhances the human experience by providing access to the arts for the local community and encourages primary school students to discover art appreciation in interactive exhibits and activities that embody multiple learning styles.
The proposed multi-use facility incorporates exhibit design and educational design, as well as providing for administration and dining in the neighborhood of downtown Nashville, TN. Nashville is a growing area for the arts and tourism with several other compelling attractions in the vicinity. Centrally located to many major cities in the southeast region of the United States the city acts as a hub for its multiple surrounding suburbs and neighbors.
Since the project is a reaction to a deficiency in the public school systems arts programs, this facility will focus on providing an exciting and creative environment where schools can educate larger groups of students. Children will be able to interact with exhibits about color, design, and light, in addition to creating their own pieces and designs that can be displayed in a gallery like setting. They will learn how to use multiple types of mediums and techniques, and continue their education with take home projects, revisits, and web seminars.
The sponsor of the planned learning facility, the Metropolitan Nashville Arts Commission, or better known as Metroarts, a department of the Metro Nashville Government, “…exists to provide leadership that stimulates and advances the arts to enrich the human experience for the community.” (About Us, Nashville > Arts Commission) Metroarts has defined their goals with a Theory of Change Model. Achieving this goal requires increases participation in creative activities, improvement in creative workplace demands, and enhanced creative quality and innovation. (Theory of Change, Nashville > Arts Commission) Participating in a project like this enables Metroarts to continue their philanthropic endeavors while expanding their presence in the creative arts industry.
The structure of the space will be multi-functional, while giving the users the ability to freely move about the space. The space should transport the user to a playful fantasy that incorporates a sense of admiration and curiosity similarly to The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, which plays with scale and feature elements that interact with the interior and exterior walls to create wonder. (Olmsted, para. 4) The experience should evoke all of the senses to show the impact of color, light, and materials on the arts, while also creating a stimulating environment that engages the Theory of Multiple Intelligences.
The users of the facility will range from children and students to parents and teachers, while also functioning for the staff and tourists. Local community organizations and schools will participate in artistic programs with the goals to promote creativity and the arts but to also improve upon other skills. Skills such as math or reading, social development, and self-appreciation can all be improved by the influences of art. (11 Facts About Arts in Education, para. 10). By creating a compelling attraction with cultural benefits, the community will also receive an economic benefit. Building construction will consider the practice of sustainability, while programs within the facility will be dedicated to recycled art, in order to reduce waste leaving the facility and increase awareness on the subject.
To reach the best possible design solution for this project, research into the following concepts will be considered:
· Environmental Psychology
· Sustainable Principles
· The Theory of Multiple Intelligences
· Style of Learning
Literature/ Information on the topic to be evaluated:
· Interior Design in K-12 Curricula: asking the Experts - Stephanie A. Clemons, Ph.D
· The Participatory Museum by Nina Simon
· Modeling Information for Three Dimensional Space : Lessons Learned from Museum Exhibit
Design by Saul Carliner
· Adults are from Earth; Children are from the Moon/ Designing for Children: a Complex Challenge
by Randy White
· Designing Commercial Interiors
by Christine M. Piotrowski, Elizabeth A. Rogers, IIDA (Chapter 10: Cultural and Recreational Facilities)
Research will be approached through reading, evidence based design, and precedent analysis to aid in delivering the final thesis.
References for Written Proposal
11 Facts About Arts in Education. (n.d.). Do Something. Retrieved January 12, 2014, from http://www.dosomething.org/tipsandtools/11-facts-about-arts-education
About Us. (n.d.). Nashville > Arts Commission >. Retrieved January 13, 2014, from http://www.nashville.gov/Arts-Commission/About-Us.aspx
Barsdate, K. (n.d.). Public Funding for the Arts: 2011 Update. Grantmakers in the Arts. Retrieved January 13, 2014, from http://www.giarts.org/article/public-funding-arts-2011-update
Craft and Fine Artists. (n.d.). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved January 13, 2014, from http://www.bls.gov/ooh/arts-and-design/craft-and-fine-artists.htm
Graphic Designers. (n.d.). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved January 13, 2014, from http://www.bls.gov/ooh/arts-and-design/graphic-designers.htm
Interior Designers. (n.d.). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved January 12, 2014, from http://www.bls.gov/ooh/arts-and-design/interior-designers.htm
Multimedia Artists and Animators. (n.d.). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved January 11, 2014, from http://www.bls.gov/ooh/arts-and-design/multimedia-artists-and-animators.htm
Olmsted, L. (2012, January 30). 12 Best Children's Museums In The U.S.. Forbes. Retrieved January 13, 2014, from http://www.forbes.com/sites/larryolmsted/2012/01/30/12-best-childrens-museums-in-the-u-s/
Photographers. (n.d.). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved January 13, 2014, from http://www.bls.gov/ooh/media-and-communication/photographers.htm
Theory of Change. (n.d.). Nashville > Arts Commission > About Us >. Retrieved January 13, 2014, from http://www.nashville.gov/Arts-Commission/About-Us/Theory-of-Change.aspx
References for Infographic Proposal
Black and White Globe, (2011, January 18) NancyWo. Retrieved January 13, 2014 from http://www.clker.com/clipart-black-and-white-globe.html
Black/White House, (2011, July 13) Pamela. Retrieved January 13, 2014 from http://www.clker.com/clipart-black-white-house.html
City Skyline Silhouette, (n.d.) Your Source Is Open. Retrieved January 13, 2014 from http://yoursourceisopen.com/56578-city-skyline-free-vector-download
Globe, (2007, November 18) OCAL. Retrieved January 13, 2014 from
http://www.clker.com/clipart-9784.html
Graduation Clothing Cap, (2007, November 18) OCAL. Retrieved January 13, 2014 from http://www.clker.com/clipart-11529.html
Paint Palette-2, (n.d.) Clipart BW Scan Collection. Retrieved January 13, 2014 from http://www.practicatechnical.com/archives/tag/clipart?file=Objects/Paint-Palette2.png
Since the project is a reaction to a deficiency in the public school systems arts programs, this facility will focus on providing an exciting and creative environment where schools can educate larger groups of students. Children will be able to interact with exhibits about color, design, and light, in addition to creating their own pieces and designs that can be displayed in a gallery like setting. They will learn how to use multiple types of mediums and techniques, and continue their education with take home projects, revisits, and web seminars.
The sponsor of the planned learning facility, the Metropolitan Nashville Arts Commission, or better known as Metroarts, a department of the Metro Nashville Government, “…exists to provide leadership that stimulates and advances the arts to enrich the human experience for the community.” (About Us, Nashville > Arts Commission) Metroarts has defined their goals with a Theory of Change Model. Achieving this goal requires increases participation in creative activities, improvement in creative workplace demands, and enhanced creative quality and innovation. (Theory of Change, Nashville > Arts Commission) Participating in a project like this enables Metroarts to continue their philanthropic endeavors while expanding their presence in the creative arts industry.
The structure of the space will be multi-functional, while giving the users the ability to freely move about the space. The space should transport the user to a playful fantasy that incorporates a sense of admiration and curiosity similarly to The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, which plays with scale and feature elements that interact with the interior and exterior walls to create wonder. (Olmsted, para. 4) The experience should evoke all of the senses to show the impact of color, light, and materials on the arts, while also creating a stimulating environment that engages the Theory of Multiple Intelligences.
The users of the facility will range from children and students to parents and teachers, while also functioning for the staff and tourists. Local community organizations and schools will participate in artistic programs with the goals to promote creativity and the arts but to also improve upon other skills. Skills such as math or reading, social development, and self-appreciation can all be improved by the influences of art. (11 Facts About Arts in Education, para. 10). By creating a compelling attraction with cultural benefits, the community will also receive an economic benefit. Building construction will consider the practice of sustainability, while programs within the facility will be dedicated to recycled art, in order to reduce waste leaving the facility and increase awareness on the subject.
To reach the best possible design solution for this project, research into the following concepts will be considered:
· Environmental Psychology
· Sustainable Principles
· The Theory of Multiple Intelligences
· Style of Learning
Literature/ Information on the topic to be evaluated:
· Interior Design in K-12 Curricula: asking the Experts - Stephanie A. Clemons, Ph.D
· The Participatory Museum by Nina Simon
· Modeling Information for Three Dimensional Space : Lessons Learned from Museum Exhibit
Design by Saul Carliner
· Adults are from Earth; Children are from the Moon/ Designing for Children: a Complex Challenge
by Randy White
· Designing Commercial Interiors
by Christine M. Piotrowski, Elizabeth A. Rogers, IIDA (Chapter 10: Cultural and Recreational Facilities)
Research will be approached through reading, evidence based design, and precedent analysis to aid in delivering the final thesis.
References for Written Proposal
11 Facts About Arts in Education. (n.d.). Do Something. Retrieved January 12, 2014, from http://www.dosomething.org/tipsandtools/11-facts-about-arts-education
About Us. (n.d.). Nashville > Arts Commission >. Retrieved January 13, 2014, from http://www.nashville.gov/Arts-Commission/About-Us.aspx
Barsdate, K. (n.d.). Public Funding for the Arts: 2011 Update. Grantmakers in the Arts. Retrieved January 13, 2014, from http://www.giarts.org/article/public-funding-arts-2011-update
Craft and Fine Artists. (n.d.). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved January 13, 2014, from http://www.bls.gov/ooh/arts-and-design/craft-and-fine-artists.htm
Graphic Designers. (n.d.). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved January 13, 2014, from http://www.bls.gov/ooh/arts-and-design/graphic-designers.htm
Interior Designers. (n.d.). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved January 12, 2014, from http://www.bls.gov/ooh/arts-and-design/interior-designers.htm
Multimedia Artists and Animators. (n.d.). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved January 11, 2014, from http://www.bls.gov/ooh/arts-and-design/multimedia-artists-and-animators.htm
Olmsted, L. (2012, January 30). 12 Best Children's Museums In The U.S.. Forbes. Retrieved January 13, 2014, from http://www.forbes.com/sites/larryolmsted/2012/01/30/12-best-childrens-museums-in-the-u-s/
Photographers. (n.d.). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved January 13, 2014, from http://www.bls.gov/ooh/media-and-communication/photographers.htm
Theory of Change. (n.d.). Nashville > Arts Commission > About Us >. Retrieved January 13, 2014, from http://www.nashville.gov/Arts-Commission/About-Us/Theory-of-Change.aspx
References for Infographic Proposal
Black and White Globe, (2011, January 18) NancyWo. Retrieved January 13, 2014 from http://www.clker.com/clipart-black-and-white-globe.html
Black/White House, (2011, July 13) Pamela. Retrieved January 13, 2014 from http://www.clker.com/clipart-black-white-house.html
City Skyline Silhouette, (n.d.) Your Source Is Open. Retrieved January 13, 2014 from http://yoursourceisopen.com/56578-city-skyline-free-vector-download
Globe, (2007, November 18) OCAL. Retrieved January 13, 2014 from
http://www.clker.com/clipart-9784.html
Graduation Clothing Cap, (2007, November 18) OCAL. Retrieved January 13, 2014 from http://www.clker.com/clipart-11529.html
Paint Palette-2, (n.d.) Clipart BW Scan Collection. Retrieved January 13, 2014 from http://www.practicatechnical.com/archives/tag/clipart?file=Objects/Paint-Palette2.png