Wiki Page, Oklahoma High School- Drama/Theatre Course (OK Art Tech): What is Art Tech?

Wiki Page
2025-03-06T08:26:23-06:00

Welcome! What is Art Tech?

Art Tech is a federally funded, five-year (October 1, 2020-September 30, 2025) grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Education to provide fine arts courses in schools with limited or no arts access. The goal is to increase the number of schools served every year to address the lack of fine arts education in districts across the state.

Curriculum: Developed in partnership with Oklahoma fine arts educators and UCO’s LX Studio, Art Tech PK-8 courses (visual art, drama, music and dance) were developed in 2021 and are in the third year of implementation in schools. Lessons are delivered weekly in person by part-time teaching artists hired by OSDE. Two online high school courses (visual art and drama) were developed in 2022 and piloted in five high schools. Courses are accessed through Canvas and are facilitated by classroom teachers and part-time teaching artists. High school music and dance courses are in development.

Personnel: Teaching artists are practicing, professional artists who work with schools to facilitate weekly fine arts lessons. Teaching artists are the key to the success of the grant. Every January through March, recruiting begins to match teaching artists with schools wanting to participate in the program. Each summer, the Art Tech team trains teaching artists in the Oklahoma Fine Arts Standards, high-quality instructional practices, and classroom management. The goal is to retain current teaching artists and schools while increasing the number of schools served each year.

Impact and Experiences: The Art Tech team developed the video below to help raise awareness about the grant and its positive impact. The video features Oak Grove Public Schools and shows how Oklahoma school districts are benefiting from Art Tech.

Oklahoma State Department of Education (2022, Sep 21). Art Tech. [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/LiFVuivpZ-k?si=bNLzsNsmWJmU6ZH4

Click the button on the bottom of the video to access the closed captions.

High School Courses

High school students may enroll in one 15-week (one semester) Canvas course. The course curriculum has been designed by certified fine arts educators using the Oklahoma Academic Standards for Fine Arts. Art Tech provides course supplies for each student.

For the Art Tech Canvas courses, students will:

learn features in Canvas in order to navigate and complete coursework.

work through weekly modules by reading/watching content and completing online assignments for a grade

participate in Arts Experiences (in-person arts learning experiences) throughout the semester.