Getting the Word Out

In 2010, one of my digital art students, Dalton Mills, won a national NASA competition for his 3-D animated visualization of what life on the moon would be like. I had only been teaching for a few years and had little experience writing press releases. Fortunately, our district had a resource person who handles press releases so I was able to work with her, Dalton, and our local newspaper to get the word out about his achievement. Afterward, we were invited to attend a local school board meeting to share Dalton’s work and achievement, as well as a few words about the importance of visualization in creating new dialogues toward progress and invention (much the way that Dalton’s animation opened up new understandings about engineering possibilities and sustainability issues for life in space). 

It was an impactful moment, not only for Dalton, but for the art departments in our district. Dalton was utilizing technology to visualize concepts related to a myriad of aerospace, architectural, and engineering concerns. Of course, visualizing them isn’t the same as actually creating them but it is the foundational first step forward in actualizing an idea.

We all know how art education impacts students learning and interactivity. We know how important it is as its own discipline and as compliment to the core subjects. We need to continually ask ourselves, “do others know how impactful this is?” It’s our duty to ‘get the word out’ about the importance of art processes and the achievements of our students in these areas. If we don’t advocate to get the word out, no one will. Get into the practice!
-written by Lisa Ulik, WAEA Advocacy Representative, for the fall Art-etimes

Click here to access simple tips on how to write a press release or go to - http://www.wiarted.org/advocacy.html

Have something to share (news stories, achievements)? Why not share it on the WAEA advocacy blog! Email your news to: advocacy@wiarted.org