FORMING SCHOOL PARTNERSHIPS:
A COLLABORATIVE APPROACH

Grounds For Sculpture (GFS)
International Sculpture Center (ISC)
Nottingham High School (NHS)

The collaborative approach to program development outlined here is an alternative to the way organizations usually utilize traditional problem solving methods to advance their missions. This is an interest-based approach used to capitalize on the commonalities of the participating agencies.

Preliminary discussions on the part of the collaborative partners hastened the application in 2000 for a Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation grant to create a sculpture curriculum. The funds received from the grant were used to offset program development costs.

In order to form a successful collaborative partnership, the initiating agency must identify a contact person(s) at the target agencies to begin the effort. Once the participating parties have been determined, then the following areas should be addressed:

• Mission Statement
• Development of Objectives
• Level of Commitment
• Projected Outcomes
• Measurement of Effectiveness

Mission Statement

An analysis of the mission statement of each participating agency focuses on shared goals.

• Grounds For Sculpture is a not-for-profit institution dedicated to the exhibition, interpretation, and promotion of sculpture. Grounds For Sculpture shall use its resources to inform and inspire the general public through exhibitions of important examples of sculpture produced by well-known and emerging artists from both the United States and abroad. It shall interpret these exhibitions through publications, symposia, and similar venues.
• The Fine Arts Department of Nottingham High School provides two-and three-dimensional art experiences in the areas of production, history, aesthetics, and criticism at introductory, intermediate, and advanced levels. These courses are aligned with the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards, New Jersey Cross-Content Workplace Readiness Standards, and the National Standards.
• The International Sculpture Center enhances the creation and understanding of sculpture and its unique, vital contribution to society. The ISC promotes knowledge and understanding of sculpture through a variety of programs including: publication of Sculpture Magazine, Insider Newsletter, conferences, Web site www.sculpture.org, education projects for students and teachers at all levels and special events.

Development of Objectives

For all agencies

• Agencies will utilize the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards.
• Agencies will utilize the New Jersey Workplace Readiness Standards.
• Agencies will utilize the National Art Standards.
• Agencies will collaborate to improve the quality of formal and informal educational services provided to clients, especially in the school community of Hamilton, New Jersey.
• Agencies will create an environment that fosters creativity and joint problem solving opportunities.
• Agencies will coordinate efforts to provide services to each of their respective clients.

Grounds For Sculpture

• Agency will promote education about sculpture through presentation of accessible exhibitions at Grounds For Sculpture.
• Agency will publish educational materials related to sculpture and public art.
• Agency will offer assistance to those interested in improving accessibility and understanding of sculpture.

Nottingham High School

• Students will become familiar with and utilize the resources of a community-based museum and sculpture park.
• Students will create original sculptural works.
• Students will use as reference multiple aesthetics theories to examine the nature, meaning, and value of sculpture as works of art.
• Students will study sculpture, as it relates to aesthetic and functional purpose.
• Students will respond to and make judgments about the properties of specific works of art created by emerging and established sculptors.
• Students will learn about sculpture within the context of art production, aesthetics, art criticism, and art history.
• Art teachers will learn how the sculpture curriculum and instruction methods are aligned with state and national standards, link to workplace readiness, thinking skills, and other curriculum areas.
• Art teachers will learn how the Internet can be a rich resource for art education.

International Sculpture Center

• ISC will provide opportunities to increase the awareness and importance of sculpture beyond its current constituency of sculptors and sculptor patrons to high school art educators and their students.
• ISC will seek opportunities to expand public awareness of the contributions of sculptors through print and electronic media.
• ISC will demonstrate the power of sculpture to effect positive social change.
• ISC will seek opportunities to engage artists and arts professionals in forums with teachers and art students to advance the art form.

Level of Commitment

• Determine the level of commitment of each participating agency in terms of:
  • Staff
  • Finances (Grants)
  • Equipment
  • Other (Advisory Committees)
• Research necessary approvals from the administration of participating organizations.

Projected Outcomes

For all agencies

• Increased appreciation for contemporary sculpture
• Documentation about replicating/accomplishing this type of collaboration
• Development of a presence in the local community and throughout the state via the dissemination of the final product
• Development and documentation of a sculpture curriculum for Grades 10-12 developed through collaboration that can be used, adapted and/or replicated by art teachers, students, museum educators, and interested individuals
• Development of materials to be used by students visiting Grounds For Sculpture
• Development of materials that can be used in a docent training program
• Documentation about the project in art education and museum education print publications, on the Internet, and at professional conferences

Grounds For Sculpture

• Strengthen relationships with local schools
• Increased attendance by local school communities
• Increased utilization and enjoyment of GFS by students, staff and the entire Nottingham High School community
• Development of a student docent program
• Development of internships
• Nottingham High School
• A sculpture curriculum, Grades 10 - 12, that can be used either as a semester course or as individual units of study
• Access to primary resource materials
  • Artists
  • Works of art
  • Catalogues and reference materials
  • Issues of Sculpture Magazine
• Consideration of an honors course in museum studies

International Sculpture Center

• Involvement with a community based partnership, especially public education and cultural resource
• Posting of sculpture curriculum on the ISC website with hyperlinks to other art education Web sites
• Coverage of the project for Sculpture Magazine
• Video and photographic documentation
• Expand public relations

Measurement of Effectiveness

For all agencies

• Increased understanding of each organizations' mission among participating parties
• Improved communication among participating parties
• Agency strengths are used in creative and problem solving situations
• Agendas of all participating agencies are significantly advanced without duplication of effort

Nottingham High School

• Student attitudinal pre-and post-survey
• Teacher observation of student production, discussion, and critique
• Student pre and post test of knowledge and skills

International Sculpture Center

• Teacher and student increased knowledge of contemporary sculpture within the context of art production, aesthetics, art history, and art criticism
• Teacher and student appreciation of the uniqueness of the rich cultural resources of the community in which they live
• Enhanced ability of ISC and its partners to contribute to local education and community
• Dissemination of the curriculum on the ISC Web site for utilization by teachers and hyperlinked to other art education Web sites
• Positive relationship with other partners
• Build on the partnership for future initiatives

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